Death by Hanging Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of "Death by Hanging" showcases an impressive 1080p HD transfer, presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC. The film benefits from a meticulous 4K restoration created using a Scanity film scanner on the 35mm original camera negative. Despite earlier beliefs that the movie was shot in Paramount Pictures' 8-perforation VistaVision format, Criterion's research uncovered that an alternate 4-perforation Japanese Vista format was used, which served as the foundation for this transfer. Extensive manual restoration processes using MTI's DRS and Digital Vision's Phoenix effectively removed thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps.

The result is a video presentation that is consistently strong and stable. The film's clarity is exceptional, with close-up shots revealing fine textures and intricate details in costumes and facial features, while wider shots maintain impressive depth and detail. The black-and-white palette is superbly balanced, offering a wide range of nuanced grays without any stability issues. The grain structure is evenly distributed and well-resolved, contributing to the film’s authentic texture without any noticeable fluctuation. Throughout the presentation, there are no significant damage marks, debris, or stains, establishing this Criterion release as a high-standard benchmark for classic film restoration.

(Note: This release is Region-A locked, which means it requires a Region-A or Region-Free player for access.)

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "Death by Hanging" features a single Japanese LPCM 1.0 track with optional English subtitles. As detailed in the Criterion booklet, the original monaural soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the 35mm soundtrack positive, ensuring a high-quality listening experience. The restoration meticulously removed hiss, pops, cracks, and hum, which is evident in the clear and undistorted audio.

Despite its modest sound design, the dialogue stands out as exceptionally crisp and well-balanced, making it easy to follow along with the English subtitles. Hikaru Hayashi's soundtrack plays a secondary role and its presence is understated yet elegant, further enhancing the film's atmosphere without overwhelming it. There are no noteworthy audio dropouts, pops, or digital distortions, resulting in a clean and reliable audio experience throughout.

While the track doesn't feature loud or dynamic sound effects, each noise and element is presented with a humble clarity that suits the film's tone. However, some may find the overall presentation lacking in dynamic range and robustness, yearning for a bit more intensity. Nevertheless, this audio presentation remains gracious and effective, offering a faithful and well-restored acoustic representation of "Death by Hanging."

The Blu-ray extras for "Death by Hanging" offer a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Nagisa Oshima’s work, political beliefs, and the socio-political climate of Japan during the late 1960s. Tony Rayns' interview provides an in-depth analysis of Oshima's iconoclastic career and his ventures outside mainstream Japanese cinema. The inclusion of Oshima’s 1965 documentary, "Diary of Yunbogi," adds context, illustrating the thematic evolution leading to "Death by Hanging." The original Japanese trailer showcases the film's period authenticity, while the illustrated leaflet enriches the viewer's understanding with its critical essay by Howard Hampton.

Extras included in this disc:

• Tony Rayns Interview: Insightful discussion on Oshima's career and political influence.
• Diary of Yunbogi: A 1965 documentary by Oshima exploring early thematic elements.
• Trailer: Original Japanese trailer with optional English subtitles.
• Leaflet: An illustrated leaflet with an essay by Howard Hampton.

Nagisa Oshima’s "Death by Hanging" (1968) emerges as a trenchant socio-political satire, capturing the turbulent zeitgeist of 1960s Japan. The narrative begins with a seemingly routine execution of a Korean prisoner named 'R,' guilty of heinous crimes yet spared by fate as his initial hanging fails, setting off a chain of bewildering events. The film subverts conventional expectations, oscillating between documentary realism and avant-garde theatrics, where Japanese officers' reenactment of R’s crimes portrays their desperation to restore his lost identity and bring him to justice once more. This grotesque, Kafkaesque descent underscores Oshima's critique of capital punishment, institutional hypocrisy, and the entrenched racial and cultural prejudices in Japan.

The film is divided into two distinctive acts. The first follows R's struggle to comprehend his situation post-failed execution, reflecting the ingrained discrimination and cultural identity crisis. As the narrative progresses into the second half, the focus shifts to the moral disintegration of the Japanese officials themselves, revealing that their actions are as ethically questionable as R's original crimes. Oshima employs a blend of stylistic approaches, reminiscent of Brecht and early Godard, fluctuating between stark realism and farcical satire, which might initially challenge the viewer but effectively heightens the film's provocative messages.

"Death by Hanging" remains impactful today for its bold commentary on human rights and justice. While some may find its tone preachy or dated, its thematic relevance endures. The Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray release ensures that this cinematic artifact is preserved with meticulous care, including high-quality visuals, supplementary features like Tony Rayns' insightful critique, and contextual essays that further enrich understanding. Oshima's film is unquestionably a riveting, if unsettling, exploration of societal contradictions—a viewing experience designed to provoke reflection and debate long after the credits roll.

Nagisa Oshima's "Death by Hanging" stands as a daring cinematic masterpiece, reminiscent of Jean-Luc Godard's most audacious works. The film juxtaposes radical contrasts to expose the societal hypocrisies and injustices that incensed Oshima. This Criterion Blu-ray release, benefiting from a pristine 4K restoration, vividly captures these visuals, presenting the film with exceptional clarity and depth.

The narrative is complex and, at times, challenging to follow—yet its potent themes of capital punishment and racial discrimination resonate profoundly. The audio presentation is commendable, though not completely immersive, it still provides a clear and compelling auditory experience. Accompanying this remarkable video quality are invaluable extras, including an insightful piece by film historian Tony Rayns.

In conclusion, Criterion's release of "Death by Hanging" is a stellar offering for both cinephiles and newcomers to Oshima's oeuvre. Highly recommended.