Criterion DVD!! - Ningen no jôken (1959) Discussion

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] ekeby 17 years ago

I've just seen this first part on a DVD that I borrowed from my local library system (southwest Wisconsin). Are you saying it's difficult to find the currently-available DVDs? If you're in the U.S., request an interlibrary loan.

I complain too much. That teacher don't like me. Now it's your turn.

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] OttoVonB 17 years ago

Well Criterion only subtitle in english, and to address your comment more seriously (damn the lazy French) they might not have included the English subs because someone is sitting on the rights for the English-speaking market.

The French aren't lazy: tey're just *beep* warriors.

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[–] Niide 17 years ago

has anyone seen the french edition? how's the quality??
i have 2 mizoguchi's on dvd (french edition) one is quite good (cruzified lovers) but sansho the ballif was unwatchable(same edition...don't understand this difference in quality)
the edition is called films sans fronitères, collection auteurs, don't buy

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[–] rmboute 17 years ago

As I was happy to find it, even only with french subtitles, i might be prejudiced. But it is a beautiful edition, certainly considering the price, few extra's for example, but very good value for money. Comparable to Criterion Quality.

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[–] chamelion7 17 years ago

I found it at my university's library in champaign-urbana today, so getting it through a library seems like the best way to go to me, like the above poster said.

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[–] WhatsInAUserID 17 years ago

Wow! Just saw a copy on dvd going for £130 ($250)!!!

Guess I won't be picking up a copy for a few years...

Of course, this is the version you want, but I just don't speak Japanese:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=DA-248

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[–] ignorant 17 years ago

For a little more than 42 euro...:

http://www.zonadvd.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=715

I guess is a good edition vith all the 7 dvd's in original japanese and spanish dub and subs...

__________________________Enjoy_tHe_catAlonian_seNse_oF_humOur________________________

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[–] WhatsInAUserID 17 years ago

Any idea if this set includes English subtitles?

I had a look at the site, but not reading Spanish I couldn't make any sense of it.

If someone knows conclusively that this set does include English subs, then I will try and buy it (have to see if anyone at my work speaks Spanish and can order it for me).

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[–] ignorant 17 years ago

Mr. t spinks: I'm afraid it only includes spanish subs as usual with the art house films edited or produced in Spain... anyway I'll check it out, since I'll buy it next month...

___________________________________enJOY_the_CATalonian_sense_of_dRAMa__________________________________

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[–] WhatsInAUserID 17 years ago

Thanks. Why is it that a National Lampoons film will include 32 different languages of subtitles, but a classic like this gets only the local language for the release?!?!

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] FZ-FX 17 years ago

Excellent news! I've tried in vain to locate a copy of these DVDs for a while now, and its good to hear we'll be treated to a high-quality version soon.

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[–] machinatmogsp 17 years ago

Sorry I didn't include the email response with my original post (I included in my post on the Kobayashi board).

Here it is:

Thanks for your kind words about Criterion. And to answer your
question, we do have plans to release THE HUMAN CONDITION. As you
can probably imagine, it's a big project. I'm not sure it will make
it into the 2007 schedule but you won't have to wait too much longer
after that.

At this point, I wonder if it will be released as an Eclipse set.

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[–] Trouter2000 17 years ago

O God, I hope so! I had to rent it, and although I am happy to have seen it, I will never be able to own a copy at the outrageous price they are asking.

If criterion releases it I will be the first to pre-order.

Last film seen: The Human Condition 1 10/10

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[–] hardnessoftheworld 16 years ago

Great,been looking forward to these movies being released.

Without Mercy
Man is like a beast
Even if you are hard on yourself
Be merciful to others.

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[–] ninjarapper 16 years ago

actually, i just talked with janus (distributor), and they said that criterion had the intention of releasing the trilogy, but have recently come across certain legalities that are going to prevent them from doing so. best bet would be to try and see it in it's limited run in theaters (just played briefly in new york), or on dvd (the image entertainment dvd's are a little steep because they are out of print, but the transfers are actually pretty good; they are in the proper aspect ratio's). anyway, that's all.

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[–] kdk 16 years ago

keep looking. i picked up all three on ebay (image entertainment issues) for £20 each. this was 2007 and i know i was lucky but so glad i kept looking. shame about the criterion news. i may have picked mine up while the criterion news was hot and people figured they would wait rather than bid on these image entertainment issues. there are people selling dvd-r copies that at least allow you see these great films.

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[–] Sentenza11 15 years ago

Well perhaps the wait is nearing an end point. If you check out digitalbits.com they have a classic coming attractions section. They updated it last week and if you scroll down to the rumor part they have added a dozen or so Criterion dvds.

The Human Condition is set for 2009...perhaps.

Some other titles are
Odd Man Out
Shanghai Express
Vivra sa vie
Red Desert
Josef Sternberg Silents
The Naked Kiss/Shock Corridor (re-release)
The Bad Sleep Well (not sure why this would be re-released since it isn't that old)

and so forth

Other important ones are
Greed
The Big Parade
The Crowd
The Magnificent Ambersons
Bitter Tea of General Yen
The Night of the Hunter

I am very excited about the Human Condition
I missed it years ago when is was at Doc Films at Univ. of Chicago

So we will see

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[–] woodtiger 15 years ago

Good info there Sentenza. I appreciate it.

It should also be noted that Janus Films is currently touring the complete trilogy with brand new 35mm prints.

http://www.janusfilms.com/humancondition/index.html/. Just click on the "playdates" link to see if they are going to be showing near you. Sadly they aren't going to be anywhere near me.

- You're wrong. Sorry to ruin the ending for you.

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[–] evilronin 15 years ago

Great info, thank god I saw it before I missed the L.A. date. This is a good sign that after the theater run it will without a doubt make it's way to Criterion. I have the French version, it's not bad, but this movie deserves to either be seen projected or at least on Criterion DVD or Blu Ray.

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[–] ccewilliams 15 years ago

It is ofiicialy set for July 14, 2009 at $79.98 from Criterion:

Masaki Kobayashi's mammoth humanist drama is one of the most staggering achievements of Japanese cinema. Originally filmed and released in three parts, the nine-and-a-half-hour The Human Condition (Ningen no joken), adapted from Junpei Gomikawa's six-volume novel, tells of the journey of the well-intentioned yet naive Kaji (handsome Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor to Imperial Army soldier to Soviet POW. Constantly trying to rise above a corrupt system, Kaji time and again finds his morals an impediment rather than an advantage. A raw indictment of its nation's wartime mentality as well as a personal existential tragedy, Kobayashi's riveting, gorgeously filmed epic is novelistic cinema at its best.

FOUR-DISC SPECIAL EDITION:

New, restored high-definition digital transfer
Excerpt from a rare Directors Guild of Japan video interview with director Masaki Kobayashi, conducted by filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda (Double Suicide)
New video interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai
Video appreciation of Kobayashi and The Human Condition featuring Shinoda
Japanese theatrical trailers
New and improved English subtitle translation
PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp

Last Films seen:
Danton- 10+/10
Rififi- 10/10

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[–] bls2182 15 years ago

I just caught this today, and I am extremely thrilled. Best news of the year for me. No more scalpers on ebay. I'm getting this, without a doubt. It's worth every penny - these are seriously some of the best films I have ever seen, and with the Criterion "touch", it will be even greater.

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[–] zsoltga 15 years ago

Probably being ungrateful, but why not Blu-Ray?!

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[–] ccewilliams 15 years ago

The DVD's been delayed to September 8th (supposedly for stereo tracks for part 3). Maybe criterion can also work on a blu-ray? You never know.

Last Films seen:
The Friends of Eddie Coyle- 10/10
Drag Me to Hell- 10/10

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