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SYNOPSIS: Mizoguchi's Ugetsu Monogatari [Tales of the Rain and Moon, aka Ugetsu] is a highly acclaimed masterwork of Japanese cinema. Based on a pair of 18th century ghost stories by Ueda Akinari, the film's release continued Mizoguchi's introduction to the West, where it was nominated for an Oscar and won the the Venice Film Festival's Silver Lion award (for Best Direction).
In 16th century Japan, amidst the pandemonium of civil war, potter Genj r (Mori Masayuki) and samurai-aspirant Tobei (Ozawa Sakae) set out with their wives in search of wealth and military glory respectively. Two parallel tales ensue when the men are lured from their wives: Genj r by the ghostly charm of Lady Wakasa (Kyo Machiko); Tobei by the dream of military glory.
Famed for its meticulously orchestrated long takes and its subtle blending of realistic period reconstruction and lyrical supernaturalism, Ugetsu Monogatari is an intensely poetic tragedy that consistently features on polls of the best films ever made.
SPECIAL DUAL FORMAT EDITION FEATURES:
In 16th century Japan, amidst the pandemonium of civil war, potter Genj r (Mori Masayuki) and samurai-aspirant Tobei (Ozawa Sakae) set out with their wives in search of wealth and military glory respectively. Two parallel tales ensue when the men are lured from their wives: Genj r by the ghostly charm of Lady Wakasa (Kyo Machiko); Tobei by the dream of military glory.
Famed for its meticulously orchestrated long takes and its subtle blending of realistic period reconstruction and lyrical supernaturalism, Ugetsu Monogatari is an intensely poetic tragedy that consistently features on polls of the best films ever made.
SPECIAL DUAL FORMAT EDITION FEATURES:
- Newly restored high-definition transfer of Ugetsu Monogatari
- Mizoguchi's Oy -sama (also in 1080p on the Blu-ray)
- Optional English subtitles on both features
- Tony Rayns video discussions of Ugetsu Monogatari [9:00] and Oy -sama [13:00]
- Original Japanese and Spanish theatrical trailers for Ugetsu Monogatari
- llustrated booklet featuring rare archival imagery and award-winning translations of the 18th century Ueda Akinari stories adapted in Ugetsu Monogatari
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Pavelin
VINE™ VOICE
Format:VHS Tape
A stunning masterpiece from Japanese master Mizoguchi, set in a feudal Japan run by gangs of warlords. A simple but ambitious potter is led astray by ghosts, repenting only when he returns to "reality". Visually breathtaking, with a wonderful "special effect" near the end requiring no trickery or computer animation whatever! My only slight quibble is that the film is basically two stories, concerning the potter and his brother-in-law, which don't dovetail completely naturally. But still 4.9 stars out of 5!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By P. J. Beaver
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
One of the best movies I have ever seen. The story is very simple but it is superb. The themes are an interesting mix of the universal, and particular to Japanese culture. Even in black and white some of the visuals are close to stunning (but at the same time this is an old movie and its condition is not perfect). It is a very powerful story.
By Luc REYNAERT
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Blu-ray
Kenji Mizoguchi's favorite theme is the condition/behavior of women in society, psychologically as well as socially. In 'Street of Shame', he evokes masterfully the socio-economic condition of the geishas in Japanese society. Here, he brushes a psychological portrait of two women through their `ghosts' (`even the most beautiful silks fade'), which reveal diametrically opposite comportments: an obsessed seductress and a faithful wife.
Based on two stories of Akinari's 'Tales of Moonlight and Rain' ('The Serpent's Lust' and 'The ReedChoked House'), a ghost of a young lady seeks to live 'the ardent love on earth', while a faithful wife became a ghost in order to be able to await faithfully the return of her husband. In other words, the main theme is the dichotomy between sex and love.
The overall background of the stories is a Japan ravaged by clan wars.
As for the men, they are stupid, but full of ambition to profit from the 'God of War', one as a warrior and the other as a potter/trader.
This magnificent movie nevertheless doesn't reach the same superb level as 'Street of Shame'. In addition, Akinari's book with its meditations on religious and artistic themes is richer and more profound than the movie.
Based on two stories of Akinari's 'Tales of Moonlight and Rain' ('The Serpent's Lust' and 'The ReedChoked House'), a ghost of a young lady seeks to live 'the ardent love on earth', while a faithful wife became a ghost in order to be able to await faithfully the return of her husband. In other words, the main theme is the dichotomy between sex and love.
The overall background of the stories is a Japan ravaged by clan wars.
As for the men, they are stupid, but full of ambition to profit from the 'God of War', one as a warrior and the other as a potter/trader.
This magnificent movie nevertheless doesn't reach the same superb level as 'Street of Shame'. In addition, Akinari's book with its meditations on religious and artistic themes is richer and more profound than the movie.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Schnauser
Format:Blu-ray
Having just watched this excellent film on the Eureka Blu-Ray edition boasting 'Newly restored Hi-Def transfer', I was surprised they even bothered wasting a BluRay disc at all and simply kept with a DVD issue. The transfer is appalling and there is no visual evidence of restoration - if anything the BluRay highlights the inadequacies of the scratched print.
Either wait for the next reissue when they have bothered cleaning up the source print, or buy the Criterion edition.
It's an interesting and well made film although don't expect the ghost story element to be to the fore. For a scarier Japanese horror experience, get Onibaba or Kwaidan.
Either wait for the next reissue when they have bothered cleaning up the source print, or buy the Criterion edition.
It's an interesting and well made film although don't expect the ghost story element to be to the fore. For a scarier Japanese horror experience, get Onibaba or Kwaidan.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
The film itself is one of cinema's supreme masterpeices. But this Blu Ray transfer by Eureka is awful. There is no attempt at any kind of film restoration prior to tranferring to high definition. There are damaged lines and marks throughout. I guess HD makes this more apparent. All the more reason, if you are going to put it on Blu-Ray to make it worth our money, and not just ransfer your exisiting DVD print onto it. I had, so far, had the highest opinion for Eureka- one of the best DVD companies in the world. This is therefore a real disappointment! Dont waste your money on this as I did. Stick with the DVD version- especially if you can get hold of the version put out by Criterion in US. That has a very clean print, good dvd supplements and the whole thing is presented in a classy slipcased paper box.
5 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Sicé
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
The movie itself is a masterpiece.
Image: Scratched permanently, as if it was raining white lines and speckles all the time. Very distracting. This is what happens when you refuse to pay for what has to be done - manual digital removing of damages to the frames. Beyond that, details and depth of field are certainly improved.
Sound: Ok.
Bonuses: What bonuses? Another movie, yes. And a short monologue by some expert far less informative than I expected.
Conclusion: one should wait for a proper transfer. This Blu-ray is way too costly for what it has to offer.
Image: Scratched permanently, as if it was raining white lines and speckles all the time. Very distracting. This is what happens when you refuse to pay for what has to be done - manual digital removing of damages to the frames. Beyond that, details and depth of field are certainly improved.
Sound: Ok.
Bonuses: What bonuses? Another movie, yes. And a short monologue by some expert far less informative than I expected.
Conclusion: one should wait for a proper transfer. This Blu-ray is way too costly for what it has to offer.
0 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Scott
Format:Blu-ray
This is a classic,
Masters of Cinema Blu-ray - April 2012: Not much to address - we get a Mizoguchi classic in hi-def courtesy of MoC! The improved resolution is a significant improvement in-motion - the image is brighter, more detailed via the layered contrast - it shows a shade more information in the frame. Audio gets the HD-bump and ratchets up a notch closer to purity. Optional subtitles are at MoC's usual high standard.
On the supplements they have included Mizoguchi's Oyu-sama in 1080P plus the Rayns discussions on both films. There is also the included booklet. The Dual-format package also contains a DVD of the feature.
This film always floors me - and it have it in such a wonderful Blu-ray package makes it a true keepsake for the digital library. I rate this 'Essential'.
Masters of Cinema Blu-ray - April 2012: Not much to address - we get a Mizoguchi classic in hi-def courtesy of MoC! The improved resolution is a significant improvement in-motion - the image is brighter, more detailed via the layered contrast - it shows a shade more information in the frame. Audio gets the HD-bump and ratchets up a notch closer to purity. Optional subtitles are at MoC's usual high standard.
On the supplements they have included Mizoguchi's Oyu-sama in 1080P plus the Rayns discussions on both films. There is also the included booklet. The Dual-format package also contains a DVD of the feature.
This film always floors me - and it have it in such a wonderful Blu-ray package makes it a true keepsake for the digital library. I rate this 'Essential'.
3 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I can't believe how bad the blu-ray edition of Ugetsu Monogatari is !!! It's like looking at a very old VHS. The sound is bad, the print is awful. EUREKA should be ashamed of releasing such a poor copy of Mizoguchi's masterpiece.
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