BFI: 32 Ozu Films

[aox]

I am actually kind of surprised CC has released multiple BDs of Godard and Kurosawa and not a single Ozu. I am sure it comes down to revenue and demand, but I would be curious to see the numbers.

[Svevan]

I didn't feel like waiting on Criterion to get around to Ozu on BRD (which could be a long wait indeed).

And they'll probably boost the black levels beyond a bearable level.

[perkizitore]

Beaver on Tokyo Story BD
I am so happy, this was the most awaited release for me the last six months!

[MichaelB]

The Beaver also reviews the DVD-only Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family (part of the same package that includes HD and SD versions of Tokyo Story) and firmly endorses my view that while there's not much visual difference between the BFI and Panorama releases (they're clearly from the same source), the BFI subtitles are definitely superior.

[Svevan]

What was the reasoning behind upping The Only Son to 1080, but leaving Brothers and Sisters SD? Surely there would have been a marginal improvement in resolution. I'm guessing production costs would have outweighed the potentially minimal benefit...? Or are these elements really that bad?

[MichaelB]

I suspect it depends on what masters were available. I don't think it's a coincidence that all four 1080p titles have been released by Criterion (albeit in SD only so far), while the other two are only out on Panorama - so the chances are that neither Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Clan nor What Did the Lady Forget? exist in HD yet.

You also have to bear in mind that the supporting features are technically "extras", at least as regards the budgeting of this project - so while the BFI will certainly use the best telecines available, you can't really blame them for not creating new transfers from scratch.

[Finch]

The screen grabs are very nice indeed. Have to admit I'm somewhat torn on whether to get this though: I don't want to lose the documentary on the second Criterion disc so I figured I could just keep the DVD and get the BFI Blu. On the other hand, Criterion will eventually release their own Blu with the documentary and storage space is quickly becoming a real issue for me, so it's tempting to sell the DVD, do without the new BFI and wait for the Criterion instead.

Early Summer, on the other hand, is an instant buy.

[movielocke]

If Criterion can be counted on for anything, it's releasing 20 Ozu films every year. I would assume these Blu transfers will all be coming shortly.

really? as best I can tell it's been 22 months between Ozu releases with Autumn Afternoon in September 08 and OnlySon/There Was a Father in July 10.

So it should rather be, one Ozu release every twenty months or so, unfortunately. Hopefully they'll get some Ozu BDs out and another eclipse set in 2011.

[Svevan]

There was a period there between 06 and 08 where it seemed like Criterion announced an Ozu film or set every other month. And while the Silent Ozu set was very welcome, I don't think the Late Ozu set was anything but a quick dump of transfers they didn't want to work on. Great films but really deserving of better treatment. Combined with the color problems and occasional subtitle problems on the other releases, Criterion's Ozu track record (with me) is spotty, despite or maybe because of its frequency. (Perhaps this isn't the time to mention the godawful Tokyo Story cover art - all that energy we spent on Viridinia should've been aimed at that photoshopped mess). And they are the sole owner of American rights to Ozu, correct? I think they felt obligated to release as much as possible, but then changed their minds suddenly.

This double release of Only Son/There Was a Father seems to be a good course correction, though I probably won't buy it seeing as I'm getting The Only Son with Late Spring...very soon.

[MichaelB]

Beaver reviews Early Summer and What Did The Lady Forget?, complete with comparative screengrabs.

I think Gary slightly misses the point of the Dual Format edition - not everyone owns a Blu-ray player, and those who do are often much more restricted as to when they can access it compared with the flexibility of their DVD capabilities. For instance, I can only watch Blu-rays on the main domestic television (with all that that implies given that no-one else in my family is interested in black-and-white Japanese domestic dramas), whereas DVDs I can watch in the bedroom, on my laptop, etc.

[perkizitore]

He is worried about the low bitrate on the supporting features, but i don't think they would benefit from more space on the disc.

[manicsounds]

But I don't understand, why not just put the "bonus" standard definition version on the Blu-Ray itself, as there is enough space, and Blu-Rays easily play standard definition. Don't have to switch discs if you are doing a double feature, or if you let someone borrow the other disc....

[Peacock]

Good idea manicsounds.

Also, I was wondering, if BFI is using Criterion's HD masters for their 1080p Ozu films, surely that only means we have An Autumn Afternoon and There was a Father upcoming in Blu from the BFI? (Good Morning is so poor, surely they wouldn't use this in its current incarnation, especially with a good Tartan release of the film).

Meaning films like Tokyo Twilight and Late Autumn will both be SD only?

[ellipsis7]

I'm guessing that all the HD masters of the existing Criterion Ozu DVDs will make it onto BFI Blu... Hopefully the two sets of Eclipse titles have HD masters too...

[Peacock]

I hope so as well, but I always thought Criterion used available masters for the Eclipse series rather than creating their own...

[Finch]

Another vote for a Blu of Late Autumn, possibly my joint favourite of Ozu's later works with An Autumn Afternoon.

[MichaelB]

You don't need to vote - if an HD master already exists, the BFI will almost certainly release it in 1080p.

[manicsounds]

And if an HD master doesn't exist, then the BFI will not do one on their own?

I'm seriously wondering when Japanese studios will get their act together and release their classics on Blu. The Kurosawa BDs from Toho were terrible (bad DNR transfers, and cutting the existing bonus material for no reason....). I love it when Criterion, BFI, Eureka shows them how it should be.

[perkizitore]

Late Spring and Tokyo Story have shipped! \:D/

[andyli]

I'd very much like to know what are prepared for the next batch.

[Michael Kerpan]

Amazon uk still hasn't shipped my three...

Mine were supposed to ship today -- but I just got an e-mail telling me that I'd have to wait a week or so longer for Late Spring.

[perkizitore]

Early Spring shipped yesterday.

[Svevan]

Amazon's shipping you films that aren't even released. Lucky bastard.

[MichaelB]

He bought twelve, so Amazon made him a special deal on unreleased (and indeed unauthored) discs.

[RossyG]

I've said it before, but...

If you're UK based and want BFI BDs and DVDs at a good price and to arrive the Friday or Saturday before the release date, HMV is the way to go.

I've had an Ozu-, COI #3- and Secrets of Nature-filled weekend and very pleasant it was too.

I laugh pithily at those who merely get their BFI discs on the official release date. Hah! <-- Like that!