Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Criterion (4-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray Region 'A' - May 2021: Criterion have also transferred Masaki Kobayashi's The Human Condition to a Blu-ray package. The Arrow Blu-ray boxset came out almost 5 years ago. The Criterion likewise has the six parts on 3 discs - 2 per dual-layered Blu-ray, and it appears from the same solid source (same marks and framing.) The Criterion transfers are slightly more robust and their 1080P image is brighter with superior black levels and contrast exporting the perception of greater sharpness. While most noticeable in the first two part, it is also, less so, on the remaining 4 parts. Yes, it is a notch up on the older UK counterpart and still maintains wonderfully consistent grain on the impressive 'Shochiku Grandscope'.

NOTE: I can't account for the discrepancy in the run-times of the first two parts versus the Arrow. We are looking into it.

NOTE: We have added 56 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On the first four parts the Criterion and Arrow audio are duplicated with linear PCM mono tracks in the original Japanese language (with some Mandarin and Russian used in the films.) But another difference is that Criterion have gone the extra mile in making the final two parts (5 and 6) on the third Blu-ray, 4.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks. It does export some separation effects (battle and violence) and adds another layer to the devastating conclusion of the multi-part epic. There are optional English subtitles and the Criterion Blu-ray discs are coded region 'A'-locked.

Criterion replicate the extras from their 2009 DVD; 'Masaki Kobayashi' is a 14-minute excerpt from a rare 1993 Directors Guild of Japan video interview with the director conducted by longtime Kobayashi admirer filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda (Double Suicide). It was conducted at Tokyo's Haiyuza Theater. Following the menu item for 'Tatsuya Nakadai' - we get an 18-minute, 2009, video interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai who discusses his landmark role as Kaji in The Human Condition. Under the 'Masahiro Shinoda' tab we get a 25-minute 'video appreciation', from 2009, of Kobayashi and The Human Condition by filmmaker Shinoda who shares his observations on The Human Condition and director Masaki Kobayashi. Also included digitally are 3 Japanese theatrical trailers (on per Blu-ray.). Finally there is a 12-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp.

The upgrade in the HD presentation and audio (parts 5 + 6) will make Region 'A'-locked fans extremely pleased. The Criterion is the best package although Arrow has very worthy extras (also from Philip Kemp who has done the liner notes for the Criterion.) Masaki Kobayashi's The Human Condition can be achingly grim, from the cruelty of war to the heights of love and survivalism... but its draining viewing makes it nonetheless an absolute masterpiece that every cinephile must see. It's beautifully shot and the Criterion image is jaw-dropping - further heightening the film's powerful impact. This must be owned and the Criterion Blu-ray package, watched to be fully appreciated. Don't hesitate - our highest recommendation!       

***

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray Region 'B' - November 2016: If their Dekalog and other TV Works  or massive The Herschell Gordon Lewis Feast Blu-ray Boxsets didn't catapult Arrow into top spot as the best Blu-ray production company across the globe - perhaps this The Human Condition set will convince any of those remaining unaware of its truth!

This is a beautiful set - the image looks marvelous in the 2.4:1 aspect ratio widescreen - layered contrast - richer, tighter, brighter - more information in the frame and more some pleasing depth - see our captures below for more of its vast superiority over SD. It can either be viewed as the three-part international version of the six part Japanese version with the film stopping between each part. The quality is both the same (see our title captures below.) Grain is consistent and very prevalent. It looks very impressive in-motion.

All three discs (6-parts) represent the audio via an authentic linear PCM 1.0 mono track in 24-bit in the original Japanese (2.0 channel stereo on disc 3). It sounds flat but carries a modicum of depth and sounds clear and without flaws. The score by Chûji Kinoshita (The Mad Fox, Twenty-Four Eyes) is slow but intensive - certainly benefiting from the uncompressed transfer. There are optional English subtitles and the Blu-ray discs are coded region 'B'-locked.

The first disc offers a 20-minute introduction by critic Philip Kemp and it is excellent as are his six Selected-scene commentaries by for each part running about 1.5 hours in total. he often lets the film run but adds interesting detail on the scene, performers etc. There are also theatrical trailers for each film and the package has a booklet featuring archival interview with director Masaki Kobayashi, and a scholarly essay discussing post-World War II Japanese culture.

Another top flight candidate for Blu-ray of the year and it will definitely be on my top 10 selections. The film never stops blowing you away - each time you see it. Our highest recommendation!

***

ON THE DVD: I probably shouldn't have take up as much time on this superfluous comparison but the original Image Entertainment DVDs were a very important part of my early collection despite their obvious weaknesses. They allowed me to see this masterpiece almost 10-years ago and it dramatically affected the direction of my film viewing selections. This dynamically altered the way in which I looked at, and appreciated, cinema. I still consider that initial viewing one of the most important of my life.

NOTE: We will discuss the transfers based on the three 'parts' on three DVDs rather than '6-parts' as it is sometimes referred.

ON THE IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT DVDS: The dual-layered, region FREE, Image Entertainment discs are fraught with undesirable qualities. The original 2.35:1 aspect ratios are compromised on all three. They also have a tendency to appear vertically stretched. The English subtitles, which have some infrequent typos, are burned-in. Compared to the Criterion translations the 1999 DVD subtitles contain some paraphrasing. The film information exists in a letterboxed-widescreen transfer and is positioned much higher in the 1.33 DVD frame with the subs shown on the lower matte. None of the three are anamorphic nor are any progressively transferred. All three display combing artifacts but the last 2 DVDs exhibit this interlacing weakness quite heavily. The third segment, often referred to as A Soldier's Prayer, on the Image Entertainment DVD is either missing 4.5 minutes or partially taken from a PAL source. The transfers don't appear to have any restoration and have frequent speckles, dirt, and damage marks. The Image discs have been offered for ridiculous prices in online auctions and even 3rd party sellers at Amazon going for a high as $100 per disc.

The Criterion DVDs: The Criterion package consists of 4 discs - 3 dual-layered DVDs containing the films and a single-layered 4th disc housing some supplements. There is also a 12-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp. The high-definition digital transfers were created from new 35mm prints struck from the original negatives. Each are presented in the original 2.35 aspect ratio, anamorphically enhanced and progressively transferred. It's apparent that some digital restoration has occurred as contrast levels swing more prominently than usual for a Criterion release. The new issue is often brighter, as well as more detailed. Many sections make the Image Entertainment transfers appear cropped usually on top and side edges. In short - the Criterion DVDs look great. These are still SD-DVDs and noise invariably exists. There is some contrast flickering (usually more in the beginning of the film sections) and repaired damage leaves the previous imperfections barely evident.  A Soldier's Prayer seems to have been the most problematic running marginally less smoothly than the other 2. Truly, I envy people who get to see The Human Condition for the first time, with this Criterion set, looking remarkably better than I did with the Image discs. It's quite a huge difference - almost a whole new viewing experience. Telecine supervisors Lee Kline and Russell Smith appear to have overcome a lot in creating these transfers that are probably less recognizable from sources used from decade old DVDs. This is a remarkable, and at times draining, achievement in film and we should be thankful for their Criterion package. The new transfers are imperfect but are still a cinephile dream come true.    

AUDIO: Sound quality goes the way of Criterion. The Image discs were, expectantly filled with weak 2.0 channel audio rife with pops, hiss and inconsistencies. For the first 2 DVDs - the Criterion have monaural audio which is fiat but clear and consistent being remastered at 24-bits from the 35mm optical soundtrack print. Part 5-6 on the third DVD have original an 4.0 channel audio track which explains its more buoyant sound. The Criterion obviously have optional English subtitles.

There are some liner notes by Bruce Eder on the back cover of the snapper case on the Image Entertainment DVDs. There are no digital supplements whatsoever on the three 1999 discs.

Supplements on the Criterion: The film is far too long (9.5 hours in total) for a full-length commentary to be viable. The 6 parts of The Human Condition - on the three dual-layered DVDs don't share the feature's disc space with any supplemental information. The 4th disc of the package though has three sections all in Japanese with optional English subtitles. Under 'Masaki Kobayashi' there is a 14-minute excerpt from a rare 1993 Directors Guild of Japan video interview with the director conducted by longtime Kobayashi admirer filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda (Double Suicide). It was conducted at Tokyo's Haiyuza Theater. Following the menu item for 'Tatsuya Nakadai' - we get an 18-minute, 2009, video interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai who discusses his landmark role as Kaji in The Human Condition. Under the 'Masahiro Shinoda' tab we get a 25-minute 'video appreciation', from 2009, of Kobayashi and The Human Condition by filmmaker Shinoda who shares his observations on The Human Condition and director Masaki Kobayashi. Also included digitally are 3 Japanese theatrical trailers. Finally there is a 12-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp.

My words are wholly inefficient to express the enormous value of this film. This Criterion package should receive extensive votes for best DVD release at our year end poll. It remains one of the most impressive films I've ever seen and, if I said it before, then I must have been mistaken - this is the easiest recommendation of the year.  

2.20:1 Letterbox Widescreen
Average Bitrate: 5.9 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Image Entertainment

Criterion

Arrow Blu-ray 1

Criterion Blu-ray 1

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.20:1

DVD Release Date: June 22nd, 1999
Snapper Case
Chapters: 17   

Chapters 34

Edition Details:
• Excerpt from a rare Directors Guild of Japan video interview with director Masaki Kobayashi, conducted by filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda (Double Suicide) (13:44)
• New video interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai (17:42)
• Video appreciation of Kobayashi and The Human Condition featuring Shinoda (24:41)
• 3 Japanese theatrical trailers (4:35 / 2:43 / 2:57)
• 12-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp

Blu-ray Release Date: June 8th, 2021
Transparent Blu-ray Case inside custom box

Chapters 34