Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love Blu-ray Movie Review

One of the best epics in Japanese cinema. The brilliant first chapter of The Human Condition.

The Human Condition: Part 1 – No Greater Love is the first feature-film in the epic Japanese film series. Based on the classic novel by Jumpei Gomikawa, No Greater Love tells the first part of the tale. A exploration of war and the battles of the human spirit. Produced by Shigeru Wakatsuki (Pale Flower, Kwaidan) and starring Tatsuya Nakadai in the leading role.

Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) marries his beloved girlfriend, Michiko (Michiyo Aratama). After getting married, Kaji begins to over-see a Japanese labor camp in Manchuria. As Kaji takes on a strong leadership role, he begins to experience firsthand the horrors of the camp. Seeking to improve conditions for the Chinese prisoners-of-war at the camp, Kaji seeks to make a difference – for the betterment of mankind.

Tatsuya Nakadai delivers an exceptional performance as Kaji. Nakadai leads the film and delves in to his part in the first entry in the saga with a clear dedication from the beginning. The role was perfect: allowing Nakadai to explore the character of Kaji and his humanist ambitions well. The performance makes a huge impression and never misses a mark.

The cinematography by Yoshio Miyajima (Kwaidan, Hara-Kiri) is one of the highlights of The Human Condition: Part 1 – No Greater Love. The visual component of the film is entirely mesmerizing. The black and white cinematography makes a huge impression throughout the experience. Miyajima is a skilled cinematographer and the effort here is stunning. Each frame as compelling as an art canvas.

A sweeping epic every cinema enthusiast should see.

The music by Chuji Kinoshita (Somewhere Under the Broad Sky, The Garden of Women) is another exquisite component of the production. The score manages to help tell the story and explore these themes well. The music provides an empathetic backdrop to the storytelling. Kinoshita is a great composer and the effort on The Human Condition: Part 1 – No Greater Love is well appreciated.

Under the art direction of Kazue Hirataka (Sincerity, Black River), The Human Condition: Part 1 – No Greater Love is an enticing production with many exquisite sets and production merits. The art looks evocative and compelling throughout. Hirataka does a splendid job here – and makes the film more well rounded.

The Human Condition: Part 1 – No Greater Love has a great screenplay by Zenzo Matsuyama (Rainbow Bridge, Happiness of Us Alone) and Masaki Kobayashi. The screenplay tells a story brimming with deep themes about the nature of humanity – both the good and bad. And that is something that makes The Human Condition such a compelling story. The journey for bettering humanity is at the heart of the tale and the path of Kaji is an epic one.

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi (Samurai Rebellion, Hara-Kiri), The Human Condition: Part 1 – No Greater Love is the best of the three films in the massive ten-hour epic. The story picks up well and immediately grabs hold of viewers. The visual component of the film is exquisite and the manner in which Kobayashi never seems to miss an opportunity to showcase the epic production aesthetics helps the scope seem grand in scale. The editing by Keiichi Uraoka (In the Realm of the Senses, Black Lizard) is superb as well. The Human Condition: Part 1 – No Greater Love is an important classic of Japanese cinema.

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection, The Human Condition: Part 1 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The presentation is a bit dated looking now but the scan is still reasonably engaging. Though not a brand new 4K scan the print is in generally good shape. The image quality is reasonably clean and there is little in the way of print damage: no issues with significant scratches, warps, and other video-quality detriments. The digital restoration looks solid throughout.

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese uncompressed PCM 1.0 mono in 24 bit depth. The lossless audio track sounds quite proficient throughout the presentation. Dialogue is crisp and clear throughout the viewing. The audio doesn't struggle to present the material: there are no significant issues with hiss, crackle, warps, pops, and clicks. English subtitles are provided.

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Masaki Kobayashi (SD, 13:44) is a 1993 interview conducted with the filmmaker of The Human Condition. Kobayashi discusses the epic production alongside filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda. The interview was produced by the Director's Guild of Japan.

The Human Condition: Part 1 Trailer (SD, 4:35)

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Human Condition: Part 1 – No Greater Love is one of the best first-acts in cinema history. As part of the epic ten-hour long production, the beginning of the tale entices and mesmerizes from the get-go. The filmmaking is stunning. The Criterion Collection presents a digital restoration and a selection of supplements. Highly recommended.