The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity Blu-ray Movie Review

The Human Condition continues to explore the depths of humanity.

The Human Condition: Part 2 - Road to Eternity is the epic second-installment in the trilogy. The film is adapted from the classic novel by Jumpei Gomikawa. Produced by Shigeru Wakatsuki (Kwaidan, Pale Flower) and starring the great Tatsuya Nakadai, The Human Condition: Part 2 - Road to Eternity is a must-see follow-up. A masterpiece of Japanese cinema.

After the events of the first film in The Human Condition trilogy, Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) is now enlisted with the Japanese Army. Determined to help the army and remain involved, Kaji works diligently with the army and helps train a new class of recruits. As events unfolds, Kaji and his artillerymen set out to do trench work. A battle ensues against Soviet enemies. Will Kaji and his companions survive the onslaught?

Tatsuya Nakadai delivers another exceptional performance in the lead role. Exploring the depth and dimensions of Kaji, Nakadai brings a sense of vitality to each scene. The role remains a perfect fit: showcasing Nakadai's range as an actor. The humanity of the role is apparent throughout. Michiyo Aratama also delivers a strong performance as Michiko and helps the storytelling unfold with more vigor.

The cinematography by Yoshio Miyajima (Hara-Kiri, Kwaidan) remains as compelling as the effort in part one. The black-and- white visuals are exquisite. The production is ambitious in scope and there is an outstanding sense of majesty and scale.

The second installment in the trilogy.

The music by Chuji Kinoshita (The Garden of Women, Somewhere Under the Broad Sky) adds both a sense of humanity and romanticism to the production. Kinoshita delivers a score that firs the second installment in the trilogy serenely. The compositions help tell the story and aid the characterizations.

The art direction by Kazue Hirataka (Black River, Sincerity) helps the filmmaking feel even more epic in scope. The production merits are superb throughout t he feature-film and there is a sense that every layer of the art design has a special place in the film. Hirataka did an exceptional job.

The screenplay by Zenzo Matsuyama (Happiness of Us Alone, Rainbow Bridge) and Masaki Kobayashi expands upon the story of the original installment. The second part takes the story in some new and enticing directions. The characters are still at the heart of the story. The exploration of the human experience makes the script one just as vital today as it was upon its original release.

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi (Hara-Kiri, Samurai Rebellion), The Human Condition: Part 2 - Road to Eternity is a great second-act in the trilogy. The production has just as epic a scope as the original installment while bringing some new layers of sophistication to the table. Kobayashi is a painterly filmmaker: painting beautiful brush-strokes with the lens. A great effort.

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection, The Human Condition: Part 2 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The scan is a bit dated looking compared to a 4K scan but the image-quality is still reasonably good throughout the presentation. The image quality is crisp and clean and there were no significant issues with print damage: scratches, wobble, burn marks, and other anomalies. The digital restoration works well for the material.

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese uncompressed PCM 1.0 mono. The lossless audio is preserved in 24 bit depth. The high-resolution audio track is impressive and sounds nice throughout the feature. A worthwhile audio presentation which preserves the music score and original sound design. Dialogue sounds crisp and clear throughout the presentation. English subtitles are provided.

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Masahiro Shinoda (SD, 24:41) is interviewed in a piece produced by the Criterion Collection in 2009. Filmmaker Shinoda provides his own insights in to The Human Condition and the efforts of Masaki Kobayashi.

The Human Condition: Part 2 Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:43)

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Human Condition: Part 2 - Road to Eternity is an engaging follow-up to the first installment in the epic Japanese trilogy. The filmmaking is every-bit as compelling. The performances are exquisite and leading actor Tatsuya Nakadai is perfection as the humanist Kaji. The filmmaking is top-notch from beginning to end. The Criterion Collection release presents a digital restoration and a selection of supplements that fans will want. Highly recommended.