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Rashomon (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
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| Genre | Action & Adventure |
| Format | Blu-ray |
| Contributor | Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune |
| Language | Japanese, English |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 28 minutes |
Product Description
A riveting psychological thriller that investigates the nature of truth and the meaning of justice, Rashomon is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. Four people recount different versions of the story of a man’s murder and the rape of his wife, which director Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai) presents with striking imagery and an ingenious use of flashbacks. This eloquent masterwork and international sensation revolutionized film language and introduced Japanese cinema—and a commanding new star by the name of Toshiro Mifune (Yojimbo)—to the Western world.
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : NR (Not Rated)
- Product Dimensions : 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 4 Ounces
- Item model number : 2201
- Director : Akira Kurosawa
- Media Format : Blu-ray
- Run time : 1 hour and 28 minutes
- Release date : November 6, 2012
- Actors : Toshiro Mifune
- Subtitles: : English
- Language : Japanese, English
- Studio : Criterion Collection
- ASIN : B008Y5OWO8
- Country of Origin : USA
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #6,733 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #646 in Drama Blu-ray Discs
- #879 in Action & Adventure Blu-ray Discs
- Customer Reviews:
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Roshamon is not an original screenplay, it is an adaptation of two Akutagawa short stories, "Roshmon" providing the story-telling setting and infant scene, and "In a Grove" providing the plot and charcters. Even without the optional analysis commentary, it becomes clear within the first 20 minutes or so this is not a Kurosawa action film. It is intellectual and challenges the viewer's concepts about absolute Truth and reality. It is a mental exercise as the priest and the woodsman relate their story about a crime and trial they recently saw to a third party who is curious, wanting to be entertained while waiting out a torrential rainstorm in the shelter of the Rashomon Gate. The priest in particular is losing his faith and belief in the basic Goodness of humanity after hearing the very different and self-serving testimony at the trial. The basic facts that a rape and murder occurred are not disputed, but who committed the murder and how both were carried out are what substantially differ in five different versions of the events (woodsman with original and later revised stories, notorious bandit on trial, murdered samurai via a "medium, and samurai's wife who was raped by the bandit). It's an absolutely outstanding exploration of Truth, what it is, and how it relates to what people perceive, remember and want or wish to believe. Add to it strong probability of ulterior motives and self-interest tainting the testimony. The themes are universal and timeless, and Kurasowa's portrayal of the story allows the film to be readily understood in nearly any country/culture, 60+ years later. It is cited by some as Japan's "Citizen Kane," their all-time greatest film with groundbreaking flashback-driven screenplay, directing, acting and cinematography (albeit a much different plot). Not surprising to me that Roshamon received the 1952 Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Foreign Language Film, and has withstood the test of time, continuing to place high on lists of the best Japanese films.
Like two other Kurosawa films that were remade as Westerns, "The Outrage" in 1964 with Paul Newman, Edward G. Robinson and a very young Willim Shatner very closely follows Roshamon (with Kurosawa credited for the screenplay. The other two are Seven Samurai / Magnificent Seven and Yojimbo / Fistful of Dollars. Other films use major elements or the same themes more abstractly, but analysis shows the source.
This is a film well worth seeing, more than once as the finer details in the story and Kurosawa's directing become more apparent
The Blu-ray transfer is outstanding. The sharpness and contrast are beautiful. Machiko Kyo never looked better (except in color, as in Gate of Hell).
I always like the simulated torrential rain in Japanese films. If you've spent sufficient time there, you have probably experienced the real thing.
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35 years later, after watching all my other Kurosawas, I decided to spend the money (it isn't cheap) and give it another look. It was worth every penny -- this film is a masterwork from one of the great artists, the plot structure (innovative as it might have been at the time), is no longer the feature that holds my attention. After thirty five years of life experience I realise there are ideas, questions, and dilemma that I can't fully fathom without at least another viewing or two, and I'm more than happy to make the effort.
The print quality is pristine (AFAICT), audio is excellent, and there are some accompanying features that are handy, although far from comprehensive.
Don't think too much, you wont regret, as with other Japanese editions (Sansho the Bailiff, etc.)
I'm glad I did.
The premise to Rashomon intrigued me not to mention that the film stars Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura and Minoru Chiaki who would later appear in "Seven Samurai" as samurai protagonists Kikuchiyo, Kambei and Heihachi. The premise of this film involves the discovery of a murdered samurai in a forest and three characters providing their own contradictory interpretation as to how the samurai was murdered. This unprecedented idea in film has even created a well-known principle called "The Rashomon Effect" which is regularly discussed by film, law, journalism, literature, psychology and sociology experts and scholars all over the world.
Rashomon is a beautifully done film and the recent criterion version is masterfully restored. Although some scenes appear fuzzy, they are few and far between and the overall audio and video is quite clean. The included booklet includes the two Ryūnosuke Akutagawa novellas that are the basis for this film: "Rashomon" and "In a Grove" which are definitely worth reading.
Without a doubt, I am quite pleased with this purchase and the fact that I only paid $12 for it makes it even more sweeter. Rashomon is a must-see film.
Al solito, solo attenti alla lingua: la Criterion è solo in lingua originale con sottotitoli inglesi (qui è però incluso anche un doppiaggio anglofono).
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