Sesame Street - Big Bird In Japan
by Jonathan Stone
Our Price: $24.47
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.86 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Director: Jonathan StoneDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 60 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-02-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Sesame Street
Product features:
- There's plenty of adventure, music and mystery for Big Bird and Barkely the Dog in Japan!
- The excitement begines when they're seperated from their tour group in Tokyo and are befriended by a young-and mysterious-japanese woman
- Could she be the mythical "Bamboo Princess" of Japanese folklore? Come along as Big Bird searches for the true identity of his new friend and discovers the beauty of Japan and the Japanese people
- Travel with him as he explores some of Japan's most famous sights, meets a Japanese family and learns some Japanese words and customs
- Four original songs make Big Bird in Japan a magical musical trip!
Movie Reviews of Sesame Street - Big Bird In Japan
Movie Review: A Sweet Childhood Memory
Summary: 5 Stars
While on a tour of Japan, Sesame Street's Big Bird and big, fluffy dog Barkley miss their bus and find themselves wandering Tokyo. In their confusion, they learn a wee bit of the language, experience Japanese cuisine, and encounter a kind but secretly somber young woman who offers to help them get to Kyoto so they can return home with their group. As the young girl visits family and friends to say goodbye, for she must make a trip home as well, Big Bird and Barkley are left to explore on their own a few times and at one point visit an elementary school where they see a performance of a play about a bamboo princess. This turns out to be a significant bit of information for Bird later on.
1988's "Big Bird in Japan" is well remembered by folks who grew up with a much better version of "The Disney Channel" than what is currently available. It was played from time to time along with other Big Bird adventures (though it wasn't made for the Disney Channel and probably originally ran as an NBC primetime special, like Big Bird in China from 1983). If you grew up watching this one, you'll likely be thrilled to see it again on this DVD release. Though I didn't find any of the songs to be unforgettable, there is enough beauty, plot, and gentle humor to make it interesting for anyone to watch if they are capable of watching simple, sweet, family programming (of course, many people are not). The program's target audience is naturally very young, so it doesn't get too deep into educating viewers on the culture. Topics covered here are chopsticks, how to say good morning, taking off your shoes indoors and sleeping on the floor, and things like that. It's a nice introduction to Japan for the youngest audiences. It's also one of my recommendations for those planning a trip to EPCOT center with young children who don't intend to rush through World Showcase.
The only extras are a ton of brief samplings from other Sesame Street DVD releases. If you like this one, the other titles I'd recommend are: "Big Bird in China", "Follow That Bird" (a big screen feature!), "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland" (the other Sesame Street big screen feature), "Sesame Street Old School", "Fraggle Rock", and anything with The Muppets! "Sesame Street: A Magical Halloween Adventure" and "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street" also sound promising. In fact, I think I've seen that Christmas one before, and it's good, retro stuff! I also highly recommend "Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art", but that 1983 classic is still not available on DVD.
Summary of Sesame Street - Big Bird In Japan
There's plenty of adventure, music and mystery for Big Bird and Barkely the Dog in Japan! The excitement begines when they're seperated from their tour group in Tokyo and are befriended by a young-and mysterious-japanese woman. Could she be the mythical "Bamboo Princess" of Japanese folklore? Come along as Big Bird searches for the true identity of his new friend and discovers the beauty of Japan and the Japanese people. Travel with him as he explores some of Japan's most famous sights, meets a Japanese family and learns some Japanese words and customs. Four original songs make Big Bird in Japan a magical musical trip!Similar DVD Movies
Elmopalooza!Vivendi; Release date: 1998-06-03; DVD
Best price: $6.04
Price in other shops:
Elmo Saves ChristmasSony; Release date: 1997-09-03; DVD
Best price: $4.56
Price in other shops:
I Live in Tokyoby Mari Takabayashi
Sandpiper; Published: 2004-11-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.70
Price in other shops:
Sesame Street - Sesame Street - Big Bird SingsRelease date: 2005-02-01; DVD
Best price: $8.17
Price in other shops:
Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars!by Betty Reynolds
Tuttle Publishing; Published: 2006-01-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.42
Price in other shops:
The Little Travelers JapanRelease date: 2008-06-01; DVD
Best price: $19.95
Sesame Street Celebrates Around the WorldGenius; Release date: 2004-08-03; DVD
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops:
Sesame Street - Christmas Eve on Sesame StreetSony; Release date: 2002-09-24; Published: 1987; DVD
Best price: $6.88
Price in other shops:
Sesame Street Presents: Follow That BirdWarner Brothers; Release date: 2009-03-24; DVD
Best price: $4.84
Price in other shops:
Sesame Street - Big Bird in ChinaRelease date: 2004-02-10; DVD
Best price: $29.99