Ugetsu (1953)

[Oscar Rothman]

https://www.criterion.com/films/369-ugetsu



New 4K digital restoration undertaken by The Film Foundation, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
Audio commentary by filmmaker, critic, and festival programmer Tony Rayns
Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director (1975), a 150-minute documentary by Kaneto Shindo
Two Worlds Intertwined, a 2005 appreciation of Ugetsu by filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda
Process and Production, a 2005 interview with Tokuzo Tanaka, first assistant director on Ugetsu
Interview from 1992 with cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa
Trailers
An essay by film critic Phillip Lopate (Blu-ray and DVD) and three short stories that influenced Mizoguchi in making the film (Blu-ray only)

[javi92]

Splendid news!

[CelestialAgent]

Makes a good alternative to MOC's out of print release!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Makes a good alternative to MOC's out of print release!

I wonder if Criterion got the UK rights too.

[Ray Jackson]

The film that gave us M Night Schyamalan.

[shinobipopcorn]

This was on TCM not too long ago...

[shadedpain4]

I wonder how downscaled the book from the previous dvd release will be?

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I wonder how downscaled the book from the previous dvd release will be?

That was my question. Will determine if I keep the DVD on the shelf.

[MifuneFan]

The contents of the booklet sound the same. The three short stories, plus the essay.

[Scottie]

Svet's review for Ugetsu is live.

[GxyExpress999]

From Amazon:

[Killer Meteor]

Very pedantic question but...

...has Criterion put a new copyright notice on the film itself ala some of their other Japanese releases -see the end title card.

[Ray Jackson]

How does this thread have only 11 posts?

...it's a disgrace.

[Show spoiler]

[Lope de Aguirre]

Thoughts on the Eureka Masters of Cinema vs. the Criterion?
https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=10...76&i=7&l=0&a=0

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Lope de Aguirre

Thoughts on the Eureka Masters of Cinema vs. the Criterion?
https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=10...76&i=7&l=0&a=0

US release appears more filtered, doesn't it? It may have been more aggressively effaced of damage marks. Also slightly zoomed in. But I still went for the C release for the overall package.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by ravenus

US release appears more filtered, doesn't it? It may have been more aggressively effaced of damage marks. Also slightly zoomed in. But I still went for the C release for the overall package.

Eureka is from an older master, while Criterion is from a 4K restoration. Eureka's transfer has a lot of visible scratches, and print damage. I'd also say contrast levels are better on the Criteron as well.

These shots from DVDbeaver show, to me at least, that Criterion's transfer is superior. Look at the softness, and lack of detail in her face.

Eureka top / Criterion bottom

[ravenus]

^The shot you share certainly looks better in the US release, especially the detail on the kimono. Actually I had the Eureka release, but sold it off prior to getting the Criterion, since I didn't care too much for Oyu-Sama, the bonus film included on it. So I can't do an actual comparison by myself.

[Lope de Aguirre]

Thanks.
The review on this side also favors the Criterion.
But beforehand I looked at the caps-a-holic comparison and thought some shots looked better on Criterion and some on Eureka and overall I thought the Eureka was superior.

But I will trust the review and probably will buy the UK Criterion eventually.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Lope de Aguirre

But I will trust the review and probably will buy the UK Criterion eventually.

Not to change your mind, but the reviews on this site of Criterion releases have often been debated on the forums, many people feeling that their transfer flaws are ignored or glossed over.

[filmlover22]

i'm confused. Isn't the MoC version OOP?