The Funeral

The Funeral
by Juzo Itami

The Funeral
Our Price: $27.25
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $16.99 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases


(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD Cover Information

Actor: Hideji Otaki, Isao Bitoh, Kin Sugai, Nobuko Miyamoto, Tsutomu Yamazaki
Director: Juzo Itami
Cinematographer: Yonezo Maeda
Producer: Juzo Itami
Writer: Juzo Itami
Editor: Akira Suzuki
Producer: Seigo Hosogoe
Producer: Yasushi Tamaoki
Producer: Yutaka Okada
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: Japanese (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: Pan & Scan, 1.33:1
Running Time: 124 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1999-06-29
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Fox Lorber

Movie Reviews of The Funeral

Movie Review: More A Social Commentary Than A Comedy!
Summary: 4 Stars

First of all, I would like to comment on the DVD itself. I purchased this film some time ago, and hopefully someone can do a better job at restoring the films cinematic quality which it deserves. The spotlight reviewer addresses this problem in his review. This is one of a few Fox Lorber DVDs of Japanese films I own, and it appears they really do not believe in putting any effort into the films they transfer to DVD. Therefore, for those viewers who wish to purchase this film, be aware that the DVD is lacking in many areas. And the top spotlight reviewer mentions all of them in his review.

I never really thought that this film was a comedy. But more of a subtle and nuanced humor. [Although there are humorous elements in the film] I believe that because Fox put this as a dark-comedy on their cover, they figured it might sell better. Some of the reviewers skewer this film, however, I liked it. There are many different levels of emotions going on in this film. First and foremost is the tragedy of having to deal with death. And how one responds to the death of a family member: In this case the recently deceased father. I found the film sad in how the characters go through the traditional rituals expected of them in a modern Japan, that they must view videos on the proper responses such as the right greetings; and have to hire experts on what direction the coffin must be placed.

It's as if the deceased father is taking a back seat to a ritual, where the emotional pain and stress of having someone close to them is placed at an arms length: A sort of emotional supression. The death of any loved one is difficult enough for any of us to have to go through. And yet we all must face these realities at some point in our lives. However, director Juzo Itami did a great job [his first film] in a very nuanced way, in trying to show this critque of a funeral in Japanese society. Therefore, this film, and Juzo Itami he must be given credit for giving a very honest critique of Japanese culture, and how death is handled by the Japanese: The absurd, ridiculous, selfish, emotional and loving. Recommended. Beware of inferior DVD transfer. [Stars: 4.5]

Art House & International DVD Video

DVD Video
Movies most talked about in Learn about Modern Japan Through Film
Linda Linda Linda ImageLinda Linda Linda
Release date: 2007-05-08; DVD
Best price: $15.68
Price in other shops: $24.92
Welcome Back Mr. McDonald ImageWelcome Back Mr. McDonald
Release date: 2003-03-18; DVD
Best price: $129.99
Black Rain (Special Collector's Edition) ImageBlack Rain (Special Collector's Edition)
PARAMOUNT PICTURES; Release date: 2006-10-10; DVD
Best price: $3.93
Price in other shops: $14.98
Mr. Baseball ImageMr. Baseball
Universal; Release date: 2003-07-01; DVD
Best price: $4.79
Price in other shops: $9.99
Lost in Translation ImageLost in Translation
Universal; Release date: 2004-02-03; DVD
Best price: $3.25
Price in other shops: $9.99
Hula Girls ImageHula Girls
SIMON & SCHUSTER C/O VIZ MEDIA LLC; Release date: 2007-11-06; DVD
Best price: $17.53
Price in other shops: $29.92
Tampopo ImageTampopo
Release date: 1998-11-24; DVD
Best price: $114.99
The Funeral ImageThe Funeral
Release date: 1999-06-29; DVD
Best price: $22.15
Shall We Dance? ImageShall We Dance?
Release date: 2005-02-01; DVD
Best price: $4.81
Price in other shops: $14.99
Train Man : Densha Otoko ImageTrain Man : Densha Otoko
Release date: 2007-02-06; DVD
Best price: $13.86
Price in other shops: $24.92
Similar DVD Movies
Train Man : Densha Otoko ImageTrain Man : Densha Otoko
Release date: 2007-02-06; DVD
Best price: $14.80
Price in other shops: $24.92
The Counterfeiters ImageThe Counterfeiters
Sony; Release date: 2008-08-05; DVD
Best price: $11.50
Price in other shops: $28.96
Tampopo ImageTampopo
Release date: 1998-11-24; DVD
Best price: $121.00
A Taxing Woman's Return [VHS] ImageA Taxing Woman's Return [VHS]
New Yorker Video; Release date: 1998-01-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.73
Price in other shops: $29.95
Eat Drink Man Woman ImageEat Drink Man Woman
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2002-03-05; DVD
Best price: $6.12
Price in other shops: $14.98
Shall We Dance? ImageShall We Dance?
Release date: 2005-02-01; DVD
Best price: $4.76
Price in other shops: $14.99
Supermarket Woman ImageSupermarket Woman
Release date: 2007-08-07; DVD
Best price: $17.90
Price in other shops: $19.95
A Taxing Woman ImageA Taxing Woman
Release date: 1998-10-07; DVD
Best price: $74.99
A Taxing Woman ImageA Taxing Woman
Release date: 2005-05-17; DVD
Best price: $17.99
Price in other shops: $19.95
Tampopo ImageTampopo
Release date: 2005-05-22; DVD
Best price: $17.99
Price in other shops: $19.95
Compare prices and read customer reviews for more than one million DVD titles.
Oscar 2005 Winners