The Human Condition

[Ribs]

“Kobayashi’s monumental film can clarify and enrich your understanding of what it is to be alive.”
(A.O. Scott, New York Times)
One of the towering masterpieces of Japanese and world cinema, this three-part war epic has rarely been seen in the UK, at least partly because of its dauntingly gargantuan nine-hour length.
Director Masaki Kobayashi (Harakiri) was attracted to Junpei Gomikawa’s source novel because he recognised himself in the character of the protagonist Kaji, a pacifist and socialist who came of age during the aggressively militaristic 1930s and 40s. Following Kaji’s career from factory worker to Japanese army private, Kobayashi unflinchingly examines the psychological toll of appallingly complex decisions made along the way, where being morally ‘right’ risks an outcome ranging from ostracism to savage beating to death.
As Kaji, Tatsuya Nakadai (Sanjuro) is in virtually every scene, providing a rock-solid emotional anchor – and a necessary one in Japan, where the film was hugely controversial for being openly critical of the nation’s conduct during WWII. But it’s this willingness to confront national taboos head-on that makes it such a lastingly powerful experience.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
Original Japanese soundtrack (uncompressed mono on the Blu-ray)
Optional English subtitles
Introduction to the film by critic Philip Kemp
Selected-scene commentary by Philip Kemp
Theatrical trailers
Booklet with new writing on the film by David Desser

Yes, that'll do nicely.

[perkizitore]

Is early bird pricing available?

[ermylaw]

Words cannot express how excited I am about this announcement.

Every BN Criterion sale, I have considered picking this up, but have held off in hopes of a blu-ray. Well, thank you, Arrow!

[Zot!]

Oh yeah, I think I might sell my Criterion DVDs now. Great films.

[Ribs]

It appears to just be already set at the Arrow Store price, with no early bird offer for whatever reason.

Assuming you can wait until the March/April sale (and I see no reason not to, as there's no indication of how limited a run this will be and it will surely not sell faster than something like Yoshida on account of it *not* being so outwardly scarce) you can get £10 back in points, putting it at £40, which I think is fair enough.

If Criterion surprises and announces this for May (or June, I guess) then I'll do that but I just can't believe this is coming. Arrow is four for four since they've doubled down on Academy as a box set-oriented line.

[perkizitore]

I agree, but early bird pricing with double points is even better!

[rapta]

Another sure-fire winner from Arrow, and the first proper box set I will buy from them (first Academy box set anyway). As much as I was vaguely interested in Rivette, Yoshida and Fassbinder...this is the one for me. I am so happy to see them announce this, even if I could kinda feel it coming - I just didn't think it would be so soon!

By the way, I asked Arrow and they confirmed that this will be very similar to the Yoshida set in terms of packaging and artwork (same illustrator). It will also be limited to 3000 copies, but they haven't yet decided whether it will get another slimmed-down box set (e.g. Barker/Hellraiser), separate Blu-ray reissues (e.g. Fassbinder, Fukasaku/Battles, Borowczyk, Price/Corman/Poe), or just DVD-only reissues if anything (e.g. Yoshida, Rivette). I expect that will depend on sales of this set, but I'd be surprised if they decided to release them separately considering they go together as one film (though you could say the same about Battles Without Honour and Humanity).

If this isn't an Early Bird price, I too will wait 'til the March sale before I pre-order. I will also pre-order from Amazon though, as it may fall to a decent price (though they've been a little temperamental recently).

[Ozu Teapot]

Near the bottom of the page on Arrow's site in the details section it says "RRP: £69.99 £49.99" with a line through the £69.99, so I guess £49.99 is the early bird price.

[perkizitore]

I suspected that, but usually early bird prices are much better than that. If that is the case, they will add an end date soon and we can plan accordingly.

[Ribs]

No, it's just Arrow store policy to have a slightly reduced price from the MSRP. Every thing on their site has the same effect.

If it's early bird it says so.

[perkizitore]

I actually wish it was 50GBP, now I need to add another item to get free shipping!

[Bürgermeister]

When are Arrow going to reveal the artwork and final specs?
It's supposedly due in a month. Arrow are ignoring questions about it.
Not a good sign.

[Ribs]

Not a good sign for what? It's still going to be released. Not one person on Twitter or Facebook has asked about the packaging in weeks as far as I can tell.

The art for Yoshida was put up October 21st and the release was two weeks later.

[ALLCAPSAREBASTARDS]

This might be my most anticipated release of the year, which might sound silly compared to other things that were release, but THC is one of my favorite films.

If the package is half as beautiful as the Yoshida set, I'll be happy.

[rapta]

Not a good sign for what? It's still going to be released. Not one person on Twitter or Facebook has asked about the packaging in weeks as far as I can tell.

The art for Yoshida was put up October 21st and the release was two weeks later.

Last I heard from MichaelB on the subject, the illustrator doing this set was still deciding on concepts. It must have been over a month ago since I asked about it, so I'm guessing it will be revealed soon - probably in the next week or two.

I imagine the specs will be finalised than as well - at least one or two video extras I'd expect (much like Yoshida). This too is my most-anticipated release of the year so far, and the first proper box set I've put money down for. I've never seen these films but Kobayashi's Harakiri is possibly the best Japanese film I've seen to date (or at least Top 3), and I don't even want to risk missing out.

[Bürgermeister]

Not a good sign for what? It's still going to be released. Not one person on Twitter or Facebook has asked about the packaging in weeks as far as I can tell.

The art for Yoshida was put up October 21st and the release was two weeks later.

You clearly didn't look very hard. Someone asked them about it on Facebook on the 13th of April.

[worriedfire]

When are Arrow going to reveal the artwork and final specs?
It's supposedly due in a month. Arrow are ignoring questions about it.
Not a good sign.

Turns out you were right in being suspicious. Artwork has been revealed, but the release has been delayed to August 1st. From Facebook.

[Finch]

Pushed back to August 1 due to clearance issues.

[domino harvey]

Does this mean Arrow is really going to hold onto everything else from my sale order for another three months?!

[MichaelB]

If you think your order might be held up by a single item, contact orders@arrowfilms.co.uk - they should be able to help.

[Calvin]

It would be good if Arrow uses the delay to add another extra or two, such as an interview with Tatsuya Nakadai. On-disc extras seem comparable to the Yoshida set, but it looks like the book(let) that accompanies this release will be considerably shorter. Kobayashi earlier dealt with similar themes with The Thick-Walled Room and also later with his 4 1/2 hour document of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, Tokyo Trial, and while presumably the addition of either isn't on the cards it would be interesting to see something that looks at Kobayashi's career in the context of the theme of war. Though maybe David Desser does just that.

[mostly asia]

i have just noticed that The Human Condition Trilogy is available for 39,99 at amazon.uk
i have paid 49,99 plus 3,00 shipping (europe) in my "early bird" order from Arrow...
i am always trying to support the labels directly but this is a little bit disappointing....

[Finch]

^^ Arrow ship pre-orders as soon as they get them from the manufacturer so you may have your copy of The Human Condition one or two weeks early and Amazon don't always deliver on street date.

[Ribs]

Plus if you ordered during the sale you got £10 back in rewards points anyway.

[mostly asia]

as i mentioned i have ordered the box after the announcement
usually amazon prices are dropping after the official release date and not so early...
anyway i will place the Arrow box before the Criterion box on my shelf