Product Details

• Actors: Ryô Ikebe, Mariko Kaga, Takashi Fujiki, Chisako Hara, Eijirô Tôno
• Directors: Masahiro Shinoda
• Writers: Masahiro Shinoda, Masaru Baba, Shintarô Ishihara
• Producers: Masao Shirai, Shigeru Iwatsuki
• Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, 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: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Homevision
• DVD Release Date: November 18, 2003
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000CG8I4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,351 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Pale Flower" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pale Flower - yakuza poetry, September 26, 2004

By 

ZombieTongue (Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pale Flower (DVD)

This is an absolutely beautiful yakuza film by Masahiro Shinoda. It is much deeper and thought-provoking than typical yakuza b-movies, which glorify violence and the gangster lifestyle. However, this is not a b-movie, but more of a poetic and artistic yakuza noir. It was films like this, and the famous yakuza films by Kinji Fukasaku - such as the 'Battles without Honor' series, and 'Graveyard of Honor' - that redefined the yakuza genre into morality plays that were highly critical of the criminal aspects of Japanese society. Thus, the film is not action-packed, but much slower in pace, which actually makes it much stronger.
This edition, released by Home Vision Entertainment, has a good transfer and picture quality, and the film also boasts a very good score. The music is especially powerful near the end of the film. Overall, it is a must for anyone who likes yakuza films, film noir, or Japanese cinema.

5.0 out of 5 stars Stark black and white mildly twisted Japanese yakuza netherworld...., January 28, 2012

By 

Morbeus - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pale Flower (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

What can I say about a blu-ray Criterion black and white Japanese yakuza film so well executed that I have to watch it over and over? What can I say about purposely semi-overblown whites melting into grays and the blackest of blacks to create an magnificently incredible viewing experience? Nothing. Of course one has to appreciate film to appreciate this type of film. Don't get this one if you enjoy vhs or have ADD- it's not very long, but you just won't get it. If you are new to this type of film and you can handle subtitles you need to see this....

5.0 out of 5 stars Pale Flower, December 24, 2011

By 

monty70 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pale Flower (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

Pale Flower tells the story of a lonely Yakuza who has just been paroled from a three year bit for murder. Upon his return from prison he meets a mysterious and beautiful young women who frequents the clandestine gambling rooms he spends evenings at. Their platonic relationship is the basis of the plot. The film looks outstanding on the new Criterion Blu-ray edition. The folks at Criterion have performed the usual extensive restoration work that they are famous for, giving this new High definition transfer a pristine presentation. (1080P) The brilliant score by composer Toru Takemitsu has never sounded better. (LPCM 1.0 Japanese audio) A selection of useful supplements round out this impressive new edition of this classic Yakuza film.

This is an easy recommendation.