Ozu Yasujiro on DVD

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Michael Kerpan · #26 Post by **Michael Kerpan** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:16 am

Gary Tooze wrote:After a couple of viewings of Ozu's There Was a Father, I am happy to announce it my favorite of his films exceeding Late Spring, Tokyo Story and Tokyo Twilight. The trouble is that the print the Panorama DVD was taken from was in horrible shape (I mean bad!).

Alas, the best available sources of "There Was a Father" are quite poor. And the sound on the Japanese DVD is rather funky (not nearly as good as that for "What Did the Lady Forget"). I suppose a M-style restoration could make it look better -- but is not likely that any of Ozu's films will ever get this sort of make-over. (Only "Tokyo Story" has gotten this sort of treatment by the University of Tokyo, but their work was not used by Shochiku -- perhaps this restoration is still unfinished).

While I like this one, it is actually in the bottom third of my Ozu list. along with "Todas" -- but above "Munekartta Sisters" and "A Mother Should Be Loved".

Steven H · #27 Post by **Steven H** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:38 pm

Gary Tooze wrote:There Was a Father

This is the best Ozu film I have seen.

Sounds like we had a very similar reaction to this one, Gary. According to reports, the travelling retrospective version of this is *bad* as well, but I believe a new print was struck for Cannes this year (though I'm not sure how extensive the restoration was, aren't classics that screen there usually well taken care of?)

Comparing the first screenshot from your review, I can definitely attest that the R2 Japan version is much more clean and crisp, with more detail and a bit brighter overall (though with a nice black level.) I would say it's literally twice as good, but there are still print problems in this version (and I think it's actually a little cropped on the right compared to the Panorama, who'da thunk it?)

artfilmfan · #28 Post by **artfilmfan** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 8:38 pm

After seeing it at the Ozu retrospective last year, I rated "There Was a Father" only 4 stars (out of five). I also gave 4 stars to about a dozen other Ozu films. My 4/26/04 rankings of favorite Ozu films placed it at # 15:

11. An Autumn Afternoon (4 1/2 stars)
12. An Inn in Tokyo (4 1/2 stars)
13. What Did the Lady Forget? (4 stars)
14. The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (4 stars)
15. There Was a Father (4 stars)
16. I Was Born, But â€¦ (4 stars)

I have the Panorama disc and hope to watch it soon. I wonder if I will still feel the same way about the film.

Prior to the showing of the film at the retro last year, the audience was warned about the poor conditions of the film.

BTW, my ratings (awardings) of Ozu's films left plenty of stars in the sky above the region where I live. Has anyone looked at the sky above NE lately? There aren't many stars left over there

(Just a friendly joke which perhaps only one other member on this forum understands).

A little bird in HK informed me that Panorama's "An Inn in Tokyo" will be coming out on July 14th. This is great!

Michael Kerpan · #29 Post by **Michael Kerpan** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 11:28 pm

Plenty of stars in the New England sky -- once you get away from the light pollution caused by cities. ;~}

And this is despite the fact that my Naruse star assignments are almost as lavish as my Ozu ones. (Just saw "Nightly Dreams" -- and totally stunned by it).

Ozu's films may be battered, but even a fair number of his silents survived (even if in sub-optimal shape). By contrast, all 39 of Gosho's silent films are "lost".

MEK

artfilmfan · #30 Post by **artfilmfan** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:14 pm

I definitely notice that new Ozu-Naruse galaxy in the sky

With "The Only Son" already out, and "An Inn in Tokyo" will soon be, the only subtitled film that's missing from my top-15 will be "A Hen in the Wind". Hopefully, Panorama will take care of it soon.

amateurist · #31 Post by **amateurist** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:41 pm

I hope the DVD of "An Inn in Tokyo" includes the soundtrack that the film was distributed on first release--that is, not a "talking" soundtrack but music and occasional sound effects.

King of Kong · #32 Post by **King of Kong** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:08 am

Steven H wrote:According to reports, the travelling retrospective version of this is *bad* as well, but I believe a new print was struck for Cannes this year (though I'm not sure how extensive the restoration was, aren't classics that screen there usually well taken care of?)

It's a shame about the poor quality of the print. This is one Ozu film I'm itching to see.

Steven H · #33 Post by **Steven H** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:37 am

artfilmfan wrote:A little bird in HK informed me that Panorama's "An Inn in Tokyo" will be coming out on July 14th. This is great!

You're right! Here's the official link. I'm starting to wonder if Panorma is going to release *all* the extant Ozus.

Michael Kerpan · #34 Post by **Michael Kerpan** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:08 pm

I'm starting to wonder if Panorma is going to release *all* the extant Ozus.

Their original plan WAS to issue all the Shochiku Ozu films. Not certain they have the rights to the other three.

artfilmfan · #35 Post by **artfilmfan** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:03 pm

amateurist wrote:I hope the DVD of "An Inn in Tokyo" includes the soundtrack that the film was distributed on first release--that is, not a "talking" soundtrack but music and occasional sound effects.

It's probably whatever version that is on the Japanese boxset release.

Michael Kerpan wrote:I hope subtitled versions come out soon

Was it Jun-Dai who was told by a bird that a commentary track was recently recorded for a Naruse film? If that is the case, we'll probably see at least one Naruse title with subtitles soon. The others will most likely come out of Hong Kong first.

iangj · #36 Post by **iangj** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:22 am

I bought two of the early Panorama Ozu's, but have been put off from buying more by the bad AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON experience. (Still, the other one - LATE AUTUMN - was okay.)

Now I'm trying to work out if any of the other Panoramas are to be avoided - or even recommended!

These are the ones I'm interested in:

LATE SPRING
THE FLAVOUR OF GREEN TEA OVER RICE
EARLY SPRING
EQUINOX FLOWER
TOKYO TWILIGHT

It sounds from earlier postings that TOKYO TWILIGHT (one of my favourite Ozu's) is ok; but what about these others?

I'll probably go for the more recent releases anyway: PASSING FANCY, THERE WAS A FATHER, WHAT DID THE LADY FORGET?, THE ONLY SON, AN INN IN TOKYO. When are these going to turn up anywhere else?

Arn777 · #37 Post by **Arn777** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:31 am

When are these going to turn up anywhere else?

I was going to ask the same question, a recap from those of you who have purchased the Panorama Ozu dvds would be greatly appreciated.

Michael Kerpan · #38 Post by **Michael Kerpan** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:36 am

I was going to ask the same question, a recap from those of you who have purchased the Panorama Ozu dvds would be greatly appreciated.

I only have "Late Autumn" so far.

My recollection from what I've read and heard is that "Autumn Afternoon" is the only Panorama Ozu DVD to definitely AVOID. the others are all passable place holders (at worst) until (if) Criterion eventually gets around to releasing their versions.

I'll be ordering a number of these (especially the silents) -- eventually.

Panorama _promised_ that they would re-do "Autumn Afternoon" properly. Your report is the first confirmation of the fact that they kept their promise. I wonder how one can tell the bad first edition and good second apart?

BrightEyes23 · #39 Post by **BrightEyes23** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 6:12 pm

Anyone notice that yesasia.com has "An Inn In Tokyo" and its release date of 2 days ago? Any info on this? Are we gonna see a HUGE wave of ozu's in the next month?

Edit: I see that someone announced that it had a release date, its up on the page.

I know this is off topic, but can anyone recommend some panaroma discs from yesasia of Japanese films that I should really check out from lesser known Japanese filmmakers? If I add 2 more items I get free shipping, so a handful of suggestions would be much welcome.

anyone see Panaroma's version of "Eureka"? Is it worth getting?

Steven H · #40 Post by **Steven H** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:53 pm

BrightEyes23 wrote:I know this is off topic, but can anyone recommend some panaroma discs from yesasia of japanese films that I should really check out from lesser known japanese filmmakers?

Shindo's Edo Porn, Teshigahara's Rikyu, Ichikawa Jun's Tokyo Lullaby, and Imamura's Eijanaka all have watchable DVDs. You might like Oshima's Night and Fog in Japan and Kinoshita's A Japanese Tragedy (I haven't seen them.)

iangj wrote:LATE SPRING
THE FLAVOUR OF GREEN TEA OVER RICE
EARLY SPRING
EQUINOX FLOWER
TOKYO TWILIGHT

Late Spring, Equinox Flower, and Tokyo Twilight are perfectly fine releases, if not great. Early Spring is *only* available from Panorama, and it looks pretty good though there are sound problems (I need to watch this one again, thanks for reminding me!) Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice is pretty bad sound and video quality (maybe the worst Panorama) and you're probably better off picking up the Green Tea/Tenement Gentleman release from Tartan (though there are problems with this as well, you get two films at least and they supposedly look better) if you can afford to pay about $10 or so more.

I also plan on buying many of the new releases. The only film of the bunch I haven't seen with subtitles is The Only Son, which I'm pretty antsy about. If there are gaps in the subs, I have a few VHS tapes which I can post some lines to fill in at some point in the future.

All the last ones you mention are now available at yesasia.com (look under their Overseas Japanese releases) except for (mysteriously) Passing Fancy.

Michael Kerpan · #41 Post by **Michael Kerpan** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:04 pm

BrightEyes23 wrote:I know this is off topic, but can anyone recommend some panaroma discs from yesasia of Japanese films that I should really check out from lesser known Japanese filmmakers? If I add 2 more items I get free shipping, so a handful of suggestions would be much welcome.

anyone see Panaroma's version of "Eureka"? Is it worth getting?

Also Jun Ichikawa's "Tsugumi" -- one of his earlier films.

artfilmfan · #42 Post by **artfilmfan** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:30 pm

I like Yamada Yoji's "Home From the Sea". I've also seen his "Twilight Samurai". Between these two films, I think "Home From the Sea" is the one that I'll revisit more frequently (although I like both of them).

peerpee · #43 Post by **peerpee** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:16 pm

I seem to remember that NIGHT AND FOG IN JAPAN had pretty poor subtitles, and this film needs solid subtitles.

As well as HOME FROM THE SEA, Yamada's THE VILLAGE is a lovely little film too.

kekid · #44 Post by **kekid** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:24 pm

I have been looking for Ozu's "Passing Fancy" on Yesasia website, but cannot find it. All other Panorama Ozu's are listed there. Has it actually been released? If so, where can I find it?

Tim · #45 Post by **Tim** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:17 am

I have been looking for Ozu's "Passing Fancy" on Yesasia website, but cannot find it. All other Panorama Ozu's are listed there. Has it actually been released? If so, where can I find it?

It's available at DDDHouse.

To go back to an earlier topic, I asked dddhouse whether Panorama had reissued An Autumn Afternoon with improved English subtitles and they said not. They may be wrong, but don't rush to order a new copy without finding out more.

artfilmfan · #46 Post by **artfilmfan** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 6:20 pm

It looks like "Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family" will be coming out on August 4.

Michael Kerpan · #47 Post by **Michael Kerpan** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:56 am

Apparently, one problem with "Early Spring" is the length of the film (and Panorama's nonadoption of DVD-9s at that point). This may be the only alternative for this film, though, as I doubt that Criterion plans to release a version anytime within the next few years.

Glad to hear the good reports on the other films. "What Did the Lady Forget" actually has better sound (on the Japanese DVD) than the later "Toda Family" and "There Was a Father".

TK wrote:I see. I wasn't aware of the technical aspect. Furthermore, what puzzles me, is why all the prints from 'Tokyo Twilight' up to 'An Autumn Afternoon' look so magnificent (apart from 'Ohayo', I realise now). Were the earlier films simply never restored? Or were the late films better preserved?

I think "Autumn Afternoon" actually has the most problems of any of the color films (but mostly in the first reel or so). "Ohayo's" problem mainly seems to be Criterion's mishandling -- and not the underlying prints. "Early Spring" doesn't look bad at all on the Japanese DVD -- but Shochiku didn't compress it to death in order to squeeze it on to a DVD that was too small. ;~}

None of the Ozu films have gotten the kind of thorough restoration accorded to "M" -- and sadly they are not like to get such treatment anytime in the next decade (or more). Some of the early films just barely escaped total deterioration (including masterpieces like "Inn at Tokyo").

anton · #48 Post by **anton** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:05 pm

The two Panoramas of Passing Fancy and Brothers And Sisters of the Toda Family are up at yesasia. Interestingly enough, Good Morning, Equinox Flower, Tokyo Story and Late Autumn are getting re-released in Japanese editions August 25th-26th as well. It would be a shocker to get English subs I guess, but one can always hope.

FilmFanSea · #49 Post by **FilmFanSea** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:17 pm

I am close to finishing a database of worldwide Ozu releases that will hopefully make it easier to navigate. So far, I've included the following:

Criterion
Artificial Eye
Tartan
Arte (France)
Panorama (Hong Kong)
Shochiku (Japan)
Toho (Japan)
Daiei (Japan)
Oasis / Uni Won Media (Korea)
Bright Angel (Netherlands)
Bo Ying (China)
SAV/DeAPlaneta (Spain)

AFAIK, there have been no Ozu releases in Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, Russia, etc.

Are there any distributors or countries that I'm missing?

htdm · #50 Post by **htdm** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 3:38 pm

Can anyone comment on the quality of the subtitles on Panorama's Passing Fancy?

Panorama has had problems with translations of other Ozu titles in this series and I wanted to know how this title fared.

Does anyone with the disc care to comment?