103 / BD 13 The Burmese Harp
- What A Disgrace
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103 / BD 13 The Burmese Harp
The Burmese Harp
A rhapsodic celebration of song, a brutal condemnation of wartime mentality, and a lyrical statement of hope within darkness; even amongst the riches of 1950s' Japanese cinema, The Burmese Harp [Biruma no tategoto], directed by Kon Ichikawa (Alone Across the Pacific, Tokyo Olympiad), stands as one of the finest achievements of its era.
At the close of World War II, a Japanese army regiment in Burma surrenders to the British. Private Mizushima is sent on a lone mission to persuade a trapped Japanese battalion to surrender also. When the outcome is a failure, he disguises himself in the robes of a Buddhist monk in hope of temporary anonymity as he journeys across the landscape – but he underestimates the power of his assumed role.
A visually extraordinary and deeply moving vision of horror, necessity, and redemption in the aftermath of war, Ichikawa's breakthrough film is one of the great humanitarian affirmations of the cinema. Nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar and honoured at the Venice Film Festival, The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present this landmark film on Blu-ray for the first time.
DUAL FORMAT RELEASE INCLUDING BLU-RAY AND DVD VERSIONS OF THE FILM
• New, restored high-definition 1080p transfer officially licenced from Nikkatsu
• Newly translated optional English subtitles
• Exclusive video interview with scholar and filmmaker Tony Rayns
• Original Japanese theatrical trailer
• 40-page booklet with an essay by Keiko I. McDonald and rare archival stills
A rhapsodic celebration of song, a brutal condemnation of wartime mentality, and a lyrical statement of hope within darkness; even amongst the riches of 1950s' Japanese cinema, The Burmese Harp [Biruma no tategoto], directed by Kon Ichikawa (Alone Across the Pacific, Tokyo Olympiad), stands as one of the finest achievements of its era.
At the close of World War II, a Japanese army regiment in Burma surrenders to the British. Private Mizushima is sent on a lone mission to persuade a trapped Japanese battalion to surrender also. When the outcome is a failure, he disguises himself in the robes of a Buddhist monk in hope of temporary anonymity as he journeys across the landscape – but he underestimates the power of his assumed role.
A visually extraordinary and deeply moving vision of horror, necessity, and redemption in the aftermath of war, Ichikawa's breakthrough film is one of the great humanitarian affirmations of the cinema. Nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar and honoured at the Venice Film Festival, The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present this landmark film on Blu-ray for the first time.
DUAL FORMAT RELEASE INCLUDING BLU-RAY AND DVD VERSIONS OF THE FILM
• New, restored high-definition 1080p transfer officially licenced from Nikkatsu
• Newly translated optional English subtitles
• Exclusive video interview with scholar and filmmaker Tony Rayns
• Original Japanese theatrical trailer
• 40-page booklet with an essay by Keiko I. McDonald and rare archival stills
- Fan-of-Kurosawa
- Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:48 am
- Location: Athens, Greece
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
I am happy with the Criterion release but if the extras are great or if it includes the remake I will double dip and buy it.
- Ashirg
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:10 am
- Location: Atlanta
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
Any time frame when to expect this? Any special features?
- manicsounds
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:58 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
September according to the MoC site
- What A Disgrace
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 10:34 pm
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Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
Evidently, this has been delayed until Janurary now!
- Peacock
- Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:47 pm
- Location: Scotland
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
How's this coming along Nick? Any news on the extras or whether this will be Blu?
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- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
It will be out in 2010. We're aiming for Blu.
- Cash Flagg
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:15 pm
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
Nick, assuming this does receive a Blu release, is it likely to be region-free?
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- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
No - it would be Region B, unfortunately.
- tajmahal
- Joined: Mon May 11, 2009 11:10 pm
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
I'd be surprised if it wasn't. I think it is a smart move, opting for a Blu-only release. there have been so many Criterion sales over the last year, a competing dvd release could be a slow mover. I guess you will be number-crunching the City Girl figures over the next few months, Nick. Even the blu-ray nay-sayers must concede that the Dvdbeaver screencaps of City Girl are just a little bit special. Good luck with the blu only leap of faith.peerpee wrote:No - it would be Region B, unfortunately.
- manicsounds
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:58 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
securing both versions for bluray would be fantastic.
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- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
The only version/edit that exists is the one that Criterion put out. The original, longer, 2-part cut does not exist anymore.
There is another similar version which is just like Criterion's but which has ingrained Japanese subtitles vertically down the righthandside only when Burmese is spoken.
There is another similar version which is just like Criterion's but which has ingrained Japanese subtitles vertically down the righthandside only when Burmese is spoken.
- tojoed
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:47 am
- Location: Cambridge, England
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
I think he means the 1985 remake by Ichikawa.
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- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
Ah, well that's with Toho, and the original is with Nikkatsu. So that would be like us putting out Losey's M with Lang's M together in one package, we couldn't do that without charging double for it (that's overlooking the other tie-ups with Losey's M for the sake of the example).
Which is why releases like Criterion's THE KILLERS are so rare (and so special).
Which is why releases like Criterion's THE KILLERS are so rare (and so special).
- tojoed
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:47 am
- Location: Cambridge, England
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
Thanks, Nick, I thought that was the case.
I would say that while it is wonderful to have Kon Ichikawa on Blu-Ray, it is such a shame that so much of his work is not even available on DVD. We can but hope.
I would say that while it is wonderful to have Kon Ichikawa on Blu-Ray, it is such a shame that so much of his work is not even available on DVD. We can but hope.
- Ashirg
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:10 am
- Location: Atlanta
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
Floating Weeds from Criterion would be a more appropriate example since the original and remake are from the same director and two different studios (Shochiku and Daiei)...
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- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:57 am
- Location: East Coast, USA
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
So this is projected for April 2010?
I just saw an MoC web page that lists it as such in the top right corner...
I just saw an MoC web page that lists it as such in the top right corner...
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- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
might be August 2010 on BD. I'll change the website, it's an overhang from a hopeful schedule from last year.
- triodelover
- Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:11 pm
- Location: The hills of East Tennessee
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
Is a BD issue definite, Nick? I'll happily trade up from the Criterion for a MoC Blu. =D>peerpee wrote:might be August 2010 on BD. I'll change the website, it's an overhang from a hopeful schedule from last year.
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- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
It's looking good, but not definite yet. Will know for sure in about 5 weeks.
- manicsounds
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:58 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
I guess there is no way to tickle Toho's funny bone to get them to OK the remake as a bonus film? I was surprised that recently let UK's Third Window to release "Kamikaze Girls" in a region free bluray, even though there isn't a BD in Japan as of yet....
If it had both films together, I would gladly pay to get it out. But if it means a delay....
If it had both films together, I would gladly pay to get it out. But if it means a delay....
- What A Disgrace
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 10:34 pm
- Contact:
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
Any chance that Iwai's Ichikawa Kon monogatari will make it as an extra?
- Tommaso
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 10:09 am
Re: 68 The Burmese Harp
In any case, "The Burmese Harp" seems no longer to be #68, which indicates blu exclusive, I suppose. On the website, there is now a small size cover for Feyder's "Le grand jeu" in its place (and nice it looks).
- spocker
- Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:07 pm
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Re: The Burmese Harp
Coming in August on BD
New catalog number is #13
New catalog number is #13