7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The story of Iwao Enokizu and his murderous rampage which sparked a 78-day nationwide manhunt.
Starring: Ken Ogata, Rentarô Mikuni, Chôchô Miyako, Mitsuko Baishô, Mayumi OgawaForeign | 100% |
Drama | 80% |
Psychological thriller | 10% |
Crime | 4% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Shohei Imamura's "Vengeance is Mine" (1979) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an introduction by filmmaker Alex Cox; audio commentary by critic and filmmaker Tony Rayns; and original Japanese teaser and trailer for the film. The disc also arrives with a 56-page illustrated booklet. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
The Tender Killer
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Shohei Imamura's Vengeance is Mine arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Eureka Entertainment.
This is a fine high-definition transfer. It has been struck from a slightly dated source, but it looks raw, unmanipulated, and fresh. Fine object detail is good, particularly during the daylight scenes; clarity occasionally fluctuates but it is still pleasing; contrast levels are strong, even impressive when compared to the contrast levels of the Criterion DVD R1 release of Vengeance is Mine. The film's color scheme has been criticized, but I did not find the blacks to be as problematic as described; in my opinion, the lack of contrast boosting and color-enhancing previous DVD releases of Vengeance is Mine convey is preferable. Eureka Entertainment's policy is to present their films unmanipulated, and I certainly did not detect any traces of post-production digital adjustments here; the fine film grain is very much intact. Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern. Neither is macroblocking. I also did not see any serious stability issues to report in this review. Lastly, while viewing Vengeance of Mine I noticed a good number of tiny flecks popping up here and there. However, I did not see any large cuts, stains, or marks. To sum it all up, currently this is the best presentation of director Imamura's Vengeance is Mine available worldwide. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. For the record, Eureka Entertainment have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
The Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is surprisingly strong. There is plenty of depth and the high-frequencies not overdone. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and very easy to follow. Shinichiro Ikebe's music score conveys strong dynamics. Lastly, while viewing Vengeance is Mine I did not detect any annoying pops, cracks, or strong background hissings to report in this review. There were no problematic audio dropouts either.
Introduction by Alex Cox - filmmaker Alex Cox offers a short introduction to Vengeance is Mine in which he focuses on the main character and the message of the film. The introduction was filmed exclusively for the Masters of Cinema Series in Liverpool in 2005. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).
Commentary - a wonderful audio commentary by critic and filmmaker Tony Rayns. Predictably, this is a very informative audio commentary, containing a wealth of information about the production history of Vengeance is Mine, its unusual story, as well as director Shohei Imamura's career.
Teaser - the original Japanese teaser for the film. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles. (4 min).
Trailer - the original Japanese trailer for the film. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles. (3 min).
Booklet - 56-page illustrated booklet containing an interview with director Shohei Imamura conducted by Toichi Nakata in 1994, promotional materials, and a director's statement.
The folks at Eureka Entertainment have put together yet another strong package that should delight fans of Japanese cinema. After their spectacular release of Shohei Imamura's Profound Desires of the Gods, now we get the director's violent and disturbing Vengeance is Mine. This isn't an easy to deconstruct film - but that is why it is so unique. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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1968
豚と軍艦 / 盗まれた欲情 | Buta to gunkan / Nusumareta yokujô | Masters of Cinema
1961
にっぽん昆虫記 / 西銀座駅前 | Nippon konchûki / Nishi Ginza ekimae | Masters of Cinema
1963
楢山節考 / Narayama bushikô / Masters of Cinema
1983
トウキョウソナタ / Tôkyô sonata / Masters of Cinema
2008
神探 / San taam | Masters of Cinema
2007
Norte, hangganan ng kasaysayan
2013
Il Conformista / Arrow Academy
1970
Poesía sin fin
2016
1955
Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder / Masters of Cinema
1931
Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum oder: Wie Gewalt entstehen und wohin sie führen kann / StudioCanal Collection
1975
Out 1: Noli me tangere / Out 1: Spectre | Arrow Academy
1971
Ne le dis à personne
2006
秋刀魚の味 / Sanma no aji | The Ozu Collection
1962
2013
À bout de souffle / Vintage World Cinema
1960
Capharnaüm / کفرناحوم
2018
Incompreso | Limited Edition
1966
รักที่ขอนแก่น / Rak ti Khon Kaen
2015