The Ballad of Narayama
by Shohei Imamura
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Aki Takejo, Ken Ogata, Shoichi Ozawa, Sumiko Sakamoto, Tonpei HidariDirector: Shohei Imamura
Brand: Koch International
Cinematographer: Hiroshi Kanazawa
Cinematographer: Masao Tochizawa
Cinematographer: Shigeru Komatsubara
Writer: Shohei Imamura
Producer: Goro Kusakabe
Producer: Jiro Tomoda
Writer: Shichir? Fukazawa
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Japanese (Original Language); English (Subtitled)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 130 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-06-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Animeigo
Movie Reviews of The Ballad of Narayama
Movie Review: Well worth the long wait
Summary: 5 Stars
I expected Criterion or Kino to release a DVD edition of Imamura's most celebrated film years ago, so I was surprised to see "The Ballad of Narayama" finally released by anime and jidaigeki distributor AnimEigo. In the wake of Ken Ogata's recent death and the film's quarter-century anniversary, "Narayama" is still harrowing, heartbreaking and hilarious, every bit as potent and moving as it ever was after so many repeated viewings.
Transferred from an excellent print, the visuals of this edition are very bright and clear, which accentuates the vivid colors of the movie's beautiful, rustic photography, but also highlights faint artifacts in some of the darker scenes. Fortunately, the scene selection menu consists of title lists in lieu of thumbnail images; I see this often in new DVDs. English subtitles for dialogue, as well as captions that translate onscreen kanji and provide definitions for phrases unique to Japanese, can be enabled independently of one another. The translation of these subtitles is more nuanced and accurate than the two others that I've read.
Three long, melodramatic theatrical trailers and a teaser trailer are included. The teaser and one of the long trailers features brief production footage of Imamura and his crew. The program notes consist of a condensed Imamura bio, an overview of Shichiro Fukazawa's books and career, a summary of the Cannes Film Festival's history and awards procedures and further descriptions of customs, phrases and elements in the film that expand on the abbreviated information of the aforementioned captions. The image gallery includes numerous color, then B&W photographs of the cast that were apparently shot between takes, providing different perspectives for many scenes.
All in all, this is a worthy replacement for my long-depleted Home Vision Cinema VHS edition.
Summary of The Ballad of Narayama
"From two-time Palme d'Or-winning director Shohei IMAMURA comes a powerful and unforgettable human drama with exquisite cinematography. A milestone in Japanese Cinema, this film will question your fundamental view of humanity, and offers a glimpse into a timeless world where survival overrules compassion, and the decisions of who shall live and die are born of starving necessity and animal instinct.In a small village in a remote valley, everyone who reaches the age of 70 is banished to the top of Mt. Narayama to die, so as not to be a burden on the village and bring disgrace upon their family. Old Orin is 69, and despite being in good health, in the coming winter it will be her turn to leave. But first, there are a few things that need doing.
DVD Features:
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen
Japanese with English Subtitles
Bonus Material Includes: Image Gallery
Program Notes
Original Theatrical Trailers
"
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