Product Details

• Actors: Setsuko Hara, Chishu Ryu, Chikage Awashima, Kuniko Miyake, Ichirô Sugai
• Directors: Yasujiro Ozu
• Format: Black & White, DVD, Full Screen, Special Edition, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Criterion
• DVD Release Date: July 20, 2004
• Run Time: 124 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00026L7MC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,374 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Early Summer (The Criterion Collection)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

EARLY SUMMER - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant vignette - marriage and a woman's right to choose, May 30, 2004

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Summer (The Criterion Collection) (DVD)

The more Ozu films I watch, the more I fall in love with the simplicity and elegance of his storytelling. Like all his work, "Early Summer" ("Bakushu") is a beautiful snapshot of the human experience, in this case a 28-year old woman being pressured by her family to marry and balancing her own happiness with the happiness of those around her.

The tone of the film, like the weather in the title, is light and happy like a soft gentle early summer breeze. Whimsical and joyful, even while dealing with a potentially heavy subject.

Arranged marriages (O-Miyai) are still practiced in Japan today and were much more common when "Early Summer" was made in 1951. In the cases of women like Noriko (Setsuko Hara), who at 28 would be considered almost an old maid, if she hasn't found a love-match by now, it is best to arrange a marriage before she becomes too old for anyone to take her. However, Noriko is a modern woman, with ideas for her own happiness as her family will soon find out.

Ozu's simplicity is never boring, and Setsuko Hara is so completely charming that her smile can carry any story. "Early Summer" utilizes many of Ozu's principle actors, and Chishu Ryu is on hand as Noriko's older brother Koichi, although he would play her father two years later in "Tokyo Story."

Criterion's presentation of "Early Summer" is every bit the jewel you would expect it to be, with Ozu-expert Donald Richie supplying the commentary track, and a documentary called "Ozu Films from Behind-the-Scenes" detailing his working methods and camera techniques.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful, January 16, 2006

By 

hume "humeandbehavior" (place United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Summer (The Criterion Collection) (DVD)

few films have moved me as much as this one, my third and favorite ozu. the other reviewers have touched on most everything, i'll only say that this film has much more humor than i expected and for much of the movie i was either smiling or out-right laughing. the single girls vs. the married women, the brother spying on the conversation between his wife and sister, the cake scene (i smiled the whole time, then laughed), even the bratty kids. i could go on for a while. but this film also made me cry (you can probably guess where). so many beautiful scenes, quiet, pure acting, long shots of moving and subtle scenery. i had given up on showing ozu to others, because it's usually seen as boring and nothing happening, but this movie has put the impetus in me once again. i want to force everyone i know to watch it!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Ozu Film, January 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Early Summer [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Early Summer is a variation on a seemingly perennial Ozu theme, namely, a family trying to arrange a marriage for a daughter and the daughter showing she has a mind of her own. The idea of an arranged marriage ("omiai" in Japanese) may seem strange to Western viewers. But they were quite common in Japan when this movie was made. The film centers around the character Noriko, played by Setsuko Hara (who interestingly was called the "eternal virgin" by her fans). Noriko is 28 and still single. Her boss finds a potential husband and her family gets all excited. But Noriko balks at the arranged marriage. What she eventually decides to do will likely surprise you. Keep in mind that Japan was in a period of transition when Early Summer was made. Many of the old ways, including arranged marriages, were being challenged by the younger generation.

What I enjoy most about watching this and other Ozu films is the focus on character rather than plot. We really get to know the people in this movie, as if they were members of our own family. Setsuko Hara gives an outstanding performance as the sweet but rebellious Noriko. This film is a good introduction to Ozu for people who've never seen any of his movies.

UPDATE: People who may have been hesitant to purchase this movie because it's only on VHS will be pleased to know that Criterion has acquired the rights to several Ozu classics, including Early Summer, Tokyo Story and Floating Weeds. According to a recent Criterion press release, the first DVD release of these titles is scheduled for the fall of 2003.