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Product Description
When family, friends and colleagues pressure Noriko played with enigmatic brilliance by Setsuko Hara (Tokyo Story, Late Spring) to marry they provoke a surprising decision with wide-reaching consequences. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, Yasujiro Ozu s Early Summer is wonderfully poised ensemble work which presents the intricacies and contradictions of three generations who have lived through the end of an era and are looking towards the new.
Also contains full length feature What Did the Lady Forget?, Ozu s comic pre-war classic, as an extra.
Extra Features:
- Dual Format Edition: includes both Blu-ray and the DVD versions of the main feature
- Contains full length feature What Did the Lady Forget?, Ozu s comic pre-war classic, as an extra (DVD only)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Extensive illustrated booklet featuring essays and film notes
- Dolby Digital mono audio (320 kbps)
Product Description
United Kingdom released, Blu-Ray/Region B DVD: LANGUAGES: Japanese ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), Japanese ( Dolby Linear PCM ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Booklet, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Writer/director Yasujiro Ozu combines two of his favorite themes--the culture clashes in modern Japan and the emergence of the independent Japanese woman--in Early Summer (Bakushu). Setsuko Hara plays a young woman of the post-war era who is promised in an arranged marriage. But too much has happened in the world and in the girl's own life to allow her to agree to this union without protest. The characters in Early Summer are neither remote historical personages nor distant foreigners. They are types as easily recognizable in Japan as in any country, and this commonality enhances the universal appeal of this austere film. Yasujiro Ozu collaborated on the script of Early Summer with Kogo Noda. ...Early Summer (1951) ( Bakushû ) ( Proimo kalokairi ) (Blu-Ray)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
This is a quick, first impressions review. I'll post an update once I've had a chance to take in the bonus film on the DVD included in this dual format, BFI Blu-ray release of Ozu's Early Summer.
First, the good news. The transfer IS sharper, clearer and has improved contrast over the Tartan DVD 'Noriko Trilogy' version of this film that I've previously seen. You can see more detail in faces and expressions - which is a major bonus, given Ozu's minimalist approach to cinematography. You can also see more fine object detail.
Now to the bad - or not so good - news. There is a significant amount of print damage - such as scratches, flecks, spots and other issues. These ARE present in the Tartan DVD version (I went back to check), but clearly the BFI has not tried a super extensive restoration here. No doubt it would be a very challenging job. There is also noticeable wander of the print from cut to cut. The picture moves a fair amount during cuts. Once again this is present in the Tartan release. Lastly, the audio is standard definition mono. However there are no serious issues with it. Besides most of the audience will probably be watching with subtitles at any rate. (There is the option to watch without subtitles.)
I will post back with an update about the extras but I did notice that there's a little booklet with details about Ozu and about the film. This also mentions that the BFI will - eventually - release 32 (!) of Ozu's films on Blu-ray, apparently.
The packaging is not as attractive as Tartan's gate-fold type 'Noriko' boxset, but is serviceable.
Overall, this film is an above average improvement on the DVD of the film - I'd give it 4/5 stars. If you are an Ozu fan, I'd recommend it as an upgrade from the DVD. However if you're new to Ozu you may wish to get hold of the 'Noriko' boxset (or perhaps some of his later colour films, which are wonderful too!).
The BFI's other current Ozu Blu-ray releases should be with me soon (Tokyo Story and Late Spring - which ironically then replaces the entire 'Noriko Trilogy' I've mentioned here). I'll try to get reviews up for those soon too.
First, the good news. The transfer IS sharper, clearer and has improved contrast over the Tartan DVD 'Noriko Trilogy' version of this film that I've previously seen. You can see more detail in faces and expressions - which is a major bonus, given Ozu's minimalist approach to cinematography. You can also see more fine object detail.
Now to the bad - or not so good - news. There is a significant amount of print damage - such as scratches, flecks, spots and other issues. These ARE present in the Tartan DVD version (I went back to check), but clearly the BFI has not tried a super extensive restoration here. No doubt it would be a very challenging job. There is also noticeable wander of the print from cut to cut. The picture moves a fair amount during cuts. Once again this is present in the Tartan release. Lastly, the audio is standard definition mono. However there are no serious issues with it. Besides most of the audience will probably be watching with subtitles at any rate. (There is the option to watch without subtitles.)
I will post back with an update about the extras but I did notice that there's a little booklet with details about Ozu and about the film. This also mentions that the BFI will - eventually - release 32 (!) of Ozu's films on Blu-ray, apparently.
The packaging is not as attractive as Tartan's gate-fold type 'Noriko' boxset, but is serviceable.
Overall, this film is an above average improvement on the DVD of the film - I'd give it 4/5 stars. If you are an Ozu fan, I'd recommend it as an upgrade from the DVD. However if you're new to Ozu you may wish to get hold of the 'Noriko' boxset (or perhaps some of his later colour films, which are wonderful too!).
The BFI's other current Ozu Blu-ray releases should be with me soon (Tokyo Story and Late Spring - which ironically then replaces the entire 'Noriko Trilogy' I've mentioned here). I'll try to get reviews up for those soon too.
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