- Note: Blu-ray discs are in a high definition format and need to be played on a Blu-ray player. To find out more about Blu-ray, visit our Hi-Def Learn & Shop store.
- Important Information on Firmware Updates: Having trouble with your Blu-ray disc player? Will certain discs just not play? You may need to update the firmware inside your player. Click here to learn more.
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Product Description
SYNOPSIS: Based on an ancient legend, as recounted by celebrated author Mori gai (in his short story of the same name, written in 1915), and adapted by Mizoguchi, Sansho Dayu [Sansho the Steward, aka Sansho the Bailiff] is both distinctively Japanese and as deeply affecting as a Greek tragedy. Described in its opening title as 'one of the oldest and most tragic in Japan's history', Mizoguchi depicts an unforgettably sad story of social injustice, family love, and personal sacrifice all conveyed with exquisite tone and purity of emotion.
Set in Heian era (11th century) Japan, it follows an aristocratic woman, Tamaki (played by Tanaka Kinuyo, who also stars in Mizoguchi's Ugetsu Monogatari), and her two children, Zushi (Hanayagi Yoshiaki) and Anju (Kagawa Ky ko), who are separated by feudal tyranny from Tamaki's husband. When the children are kidnapped and sold into slavery to the eponymous 'Sansho'; (Shind Eitar ), the lives of each of the family members follow very different paths each course uniquely, and insufferably, tragic.
Famed for its period reconstructions and powerful imagery, often through the director's trademark long takes, Sansho Dayu is one of the most critically revered of all of japanese cinema a Venice Film Festival Silver Lion winner that often appears in lists of the greatest films ever made.
SPECIAL DUAL FORMAT EDITION FEATURES:
Set in Heian era (11th century) Japan, it follows an aristocratic woman, Tamaki (played by Tanaka Kinuyo, who also stars in Mizoguchi's Ugetsu Monogatari), and her two children, Zushi (Hanayagi Yoshiaki) and Anju (Kagawa Ky ko), who are separated by feudal tyranny from Tamaki's husband. When the children are kidnapped and sold into slavery to the eponymous 'Sansho'; (Shind Eitar ), the lives of each of the family members follow very different paths each course uniquely, and insufferably, tragic.
Famed for its period reconstructions and powerful imagery, often through the director's trademark long takes, Sansho Dayu is one of the most critically revered of all of japanese cinema a Venice Film Festival Silver Lion winner that often appears in lists of the greatest films ever made.
SPECIAL DUAL FORMAT EDITION FEATURES:
- Newly restored high-definition transfer of Sansho Dayu
- Mizoguchi's Gion Bayashi (also in 1080p on the Blu-ray)
- Optional English subtitles on both features
- Tony Rayns video discussion of Sansho Dayu [29:00] and Gion Bayashi [11:00]
- Original Japanese theatrical trailer for Sansho Dayu and original Japanese theatrical teaser for Gion Bayashi
- Illustrated booklet featuring rare archival imagery and a full reprint of the 1915 Mori gai story adapted in Sansho Dayu
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Sansho Dayu is (along with Ugetsu Monogatari,) quite simply a masterpiece of Japanese (and indeed world) cinema. Sansho Dayu (and Ugetsu Monogatari) are frequently top (or near the top) of serious critics' lists of the best movies of all time. This movie is the tale of the sad fate of a brother and sister following the murder of their father and separation from their mother.
Mizoguchi is one of the gods of Japanese cinema; Ozu poignantly depicted the distances between generations and the changing face of the family in 20th century Japan but the principle concern of Kenji Mizoguchi was how women have suffered in a male-dominated society throughout Japanese history. This heartfelt theme was almost certainly instigated by his father's brutal treatment of Mizoguchi's mother and sisters and the eventual selling of his older sister into the life of a geisha. Often in his films women suffer terribly as a result of inflexible social rules and hierarchies. Watching them, however, is continuously rewarding. This movie is poignant and tragic but it is not depressing to watch; here is a director at the top of his game.
Part of what makes these movies so outstanding is Mizoguchi's artistic use of the camera with perfect composition, framing and meticulously executed long takes. Watching this movie is a reminder of how, for many of us, black and white film has a quality which is essentially cinematic and part of the enjoyment of the experience. Mizoguchi's use of lighting and composition shares all the luminous formal beauty of Japanese art.
And then there is the story itself, with its unforgettable final scene.
An essential blu-ray for the genuine cinema fan.
Mizoguchi is one of the gods of Japanese cinema; Ozu poignantly depicted the distances between generations and the changing face of the family in 20th century Japan but the principle concern of Kenji Mizoguchi was how women have suffered in a male-dominated society throughout Japanese history. This heartfelt theme was almost certainly instigated by his father's brutal treatment of Mizoguchi's mother and sisters and the eventual selling of his older sister into the life of a geisha. Often in his films women suffer terribly as a result of inflexible social rules and hierarchies. Watching them, however, is continuously rewarding. This movie is poignant and tragic but it is not depressing to watch; here is a director at the top of his game.
Part of what makes these movies so outstanding is Mizoguchi's artistic use of the camera with perfect composition, framing and meticulously executed long takes. Watching this movie is a reminder of how, for many of us, black and white film has a quality which is essentially cinematic and part of the enjoyment of the experience. Mizoguchi's use of lighting and composition shares all the luminous formal beauty of Japanese art.
And then there is the story itself, with its unforgettable final scene.
An essential blu-ray for the genuine cinema fan.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
An awesomely Shakespearian masterpiece, this is a feudal tale of a young man who manages to overthrow the evil rule of the local slave-owning bailiff Sansho who has captured him and his sister after the exile of their mother. The cinematography is stunning, the mise-en-scene is out of this world, and the ending is the most moving you are ever likely to see. A quite perfect film. One small quibble: the eponymous Sansho is actually a rather minor character, so I think it should have been retitled!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
There's only few films comparable with this masterpiece in history of cinema. Mizogushi ascends on top of his great talent to tell us simple story placed in early period of japan history - Heian. Slavery increased then and two nobely born children are kidnapped by dealers to work in the slave camp. Instead their mother is force to prostitution. Years after kids grow and decide to find mother... Whole movie includes many of unspeakable beautyfull scenes but also sad and even cruel parts. It was cinematographed by Kazuo Miyagawa, perhaps the most comprehensive cinematographer in cinema. If you've seen famous Kurosawa's films, 'Rashomon' and 'Yojimbo', you should notice how difrent in way of photography are these two pieces. However, there was the same director of photography in these two causes and he named Kazuo Miyagawa. In 'Sansho Dayo' Miyagawa made another great work: soft impression of picture that underlines lyrical type of the story (what a the difrent compared with hard shadowlight contrast in 'Rashomon'!). If I've been mentioned Kurosawa then I think is worth of write that it's Fumiyo Hayasaka who composed music for 'Sansho Dayu'. Yes, he's guy who's created music for 'Rashomon', 'The Seven Samurai', 'Ikiru' and many other. His work in 'Sansho' is really beautyfull and distinguished likely whole film.
There're also other great values except perfect form in this movie. One of them (and maybe the most important) is deep humanism and optimism in spite of sad image of the world. 'Without mercy people are like wild beasts' - learns little Zushio from his father. Following these words he'll find his point finally.
Yes, 'Sansho Dayu' is beautyfull and wise movie. I've it on VHS and I'll probably buy DVD when be relased. I hope it'll be on DVD as soon as posible because is very worth of the highest quality transfer.
There're also other great values except perfect form in this movie. One of them (and maybe the most important) is deep humanism and optimism in spite of sad image of the world. 'Without mercy people are like wild beasts' - learns little Zushio from his father. Following these words he'll find his point finally.
Yes, 'Sansho Dayu' is beautyfull and wise movie. I've it on VHS and I'll probably buy DVD when be relased. I hope it'll be on DVD as soon as posible because is very worth of the highest quality transfer.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Arguably the greatest film ever made
When I read film reviews by Americans claiming "The Godfather" as the greatest film ever made, I have to laugh. Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2008 by Brian Allgar
One of the Best Films Ever Made
This film is a must, one which everyone should own and see - a masterpiece. Cry when you hear "Anju, Anju ..." " Zushio, Zushio ...". Weep when Zushio finally finds his mother. Read more
Published on 29 July 2006 by Mr. C. J. D. Roberts
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
