Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" features an impeccable 4K restoration from the original 35mm print, showcased through a 1080p/AVC-encoded High Definition transfer, framed in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The meticulous restoration effort supervised by Paul Schrader and John Bailey ensures that the visually distinctive style of the 1985 film is preserved with unprecedented clarity and depth. The digital restoration, executed at Roundabout Entertainment with additional efforts by Criterion Collection, has thoroughly eradicated numerous instances of dirt, debris, scratches, and warps, making this release a substantial upgrade from previous DVDs.

The video presentation excels in multiple aspects. Detail reproduction is particularly striking during monochromatic sequences, highlighting facial textures and clothing definitions. Even in the stylized color scenes, the restoration reveals a new level of clarity and vividness. The enhanced color scheme, complemented by remarkable black levels and vibrant tones, intensifies the surreal scenes, bringing Schrader’s artistic vision to life as never before. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections, ensuring an organic cinematic experience. The black-and-white footage now exhibits a more convincing appearance, while overall image stability remains consistently excellent. This presentation belies the film's age and budget while delivering an outstanding visual experience.

Superior depth and clarity permeate this Blu-ray release, making earlier DVD versions seem lackluster in comparison. Specific instances, such as scenes under heavy red/neon lights or those involving period drawings, now display significantly enhanced vividness and authenticity. Overall, this Criterion release of "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" stands out as an exemplar of high-quality film restoration, ensuring that the film's aesthetic and emotional impact is fully realized.

Criterion's release of "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" offers an array of audio options that exemplify a high standard for Blu-ray presentations. The primary audio options are in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, providing a robust and clear auditory experience. Notably, the Blu-ray includes the film's original Roy Scheider voiceover in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, which was intended to make the movie more accessible to U.S. audiences. Additionally, there's an alternative English narration available in Dolby Digital 2.0, although viewers might find this option the least compelling due to its basic audio quality. The disc defaults to a narration-free track, which some may find less approachable without the guiding voiceover but appeals to purists who prefer an undiluted experience.

The audio quality is uniformly excellent across all lossless options. Dialogue remains crisp and foregrounded, ensuring clarity and coherence. Ambient sounds, like birds chirping or the bustling cityscape, are rendered with realistic spatial presence, enhancing the film's immersive qualities. However, the Philip Glass score is the highlight, delivered with impeccable depth and resonance in the DTS-HD Master Audio tracks. Glass' powerful percussive and orchestrated compositions significantly heighten emotional engagement and provide a rich sonic texture that elevates even the more subdued scenes. The audio presentation is free from any dropouts, pops, hiss, or digital artifacts, resulting in a pristine listening experience.

Overall, Criterion has meticulously curated the audio presentation of "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters," effectively balancing dialogue and environmental sounds while giving prominence to the evocative Philip Glass score. This Blu-ray release not only preserves but enhances the auditory elements that are crucial to the film's impactful storytelling.

Criterion delivers an exemplary collection of extras for the Blu-ray release of "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters," showcasing meticulous attention to detail and invaluable insights. The standout feature is the engaging audio commentary by writer/director Paul Schrader and producer Alan Poul, offering a deep dive into the filmmaking process. Two comprehensive Making-of documentaries, "The Strange Case of Yukio Mishima" and "Making Mishima," provide extensive archival footage and interviews, enriching the viewer's understanding of Mishima and the film's production. Additionally, several featurettes and interviews, including a discussion with Chieko Schrader and conversations with Mishima’s colleagues, furnish nuanced perspectives on the film and its subject. Criterion has undoubtedly pulled out all the stops, ensuring that fans receive a thorough and compelling exploration of this cinematic labor of love.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Archival audio commentary by Paul Schrader and Alan Poul.
• The Strange Case of Yukio Mishima: Archival documentary on Mishima’s persona and political beliefs.
• Making Mishima: Documentary featuring key creatives discussing the film’s conception.
• Producing Mishima: Featurette with producers discussing production history.
• Chieko Schrader Interview: Audio interview on Mishima’s persona and screenplay development.
• John Nathan and Donald Richie Interview: Discussion on Mishima’s legacy and myths.
• Mishima on Mishima: Short French TV interview segment with Mishima.
• Trailer: Vintage U.S. trailer for the film.
• Booklet: 58-page illustrated booklet with essays, photographs, and technical credits.

Paul Schrader's "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" stands as the director's most personal and visually opulent work, underscored by an evocative score from Philip Glass. Although Schrader is better known for penning gritty narratives like "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull," "Mishima" diverges into a realm of biographical drama that is both intricate and largely inaccessible. The film interlaces biographical events from Yukio Mishima's complex life with adaptations of his literary works, creating a narrative tapestry that is as enigmatic as Mishima himself.

The film employs a distinct visual palette, utilizing black-and-white photography for flashbacks and varied color gradations for novel segments, enhancing its reflective depth. It also benefits from Glass's dramatic score, intensifying the emotional resonance of Schrader's vision. Yet, despite these refined stylistic choices, the film challenges accessibility, leaving audiences grappling with its multi-layered narrative and Mishima’s elusive persona.

"Mishima" elegantly mirrors the ideas and radical convictions of the titular character, portrayed by Ken Ogata. The four chapters in the film encapsulate Mishima’s growing frustration with post-war Japan’s cultural transformation, which he perceived as a drift towards consumerism devoid of self-preservation. While elements of surrealism imbue the film with a certain Godard-esque quality, it remains grounded, inviting viewers to explore Mishima’s psyche rather than dictating a definitive interpretation. The Criterion Blu-ray release, featuring a 4K restoration supervised by Schrader and cinematographer John Bailey, further enhances the film’s visual and auditory intricacies, making it an enduring examination of a radical and complex figure.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" is a masterful presentation, distinguished by a meticulous 4K restoration supervised by Paul Schrader and cinematographer John Bailey. This restoration brings an excellent visual clarity and depth to Schrader's film, enhancing its already striking aesthetic. The video quality is complemented by robust lossless audio, ensuring an immersive viewing experience that captures the full emotional and narrative complexity of the film.

The film itself is a profoundly fluid yet intricate deconstruction of Yukio Mishima. Through Schrader's lens, Mishima emerges as both a radical and an enigma, his rebellion and ultimate act of hara-kiri depicted without any grandiose political veneer. The portrayal invites contemplation on the authenticity and ambition behind Mishima's actions while maintaining a critical detachment. Each chapter of the film intricately intertwines with Mishima's inner world, creating a surreal yet compelling narrative that remains thoroughly accessible only to those willing to engage deeply with its subtleties.

The Blu-ray release is further enriched by a substantial set of extras which will undoubtedly be appreciated by fans of Schrader and those interested in Japanese cultural narratives post-WWII. The combination of technical prowess in the restoration and the depth of content makes this release a valuable addition to any collection.

In conclusion, Criterion’s release of "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" is a commendable effort worth high praise. It stands as an illustrious labor of love, meticulously remastered and thoughtfully curated. While it may prove to be a somewhat inaccessible mood piece to casual viewers, it remains an essential acquisition for dedicated cinephiles and those intrigued by Yukio Mishima’s complex legacy. Highly recommended.