The Island Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, Kaneto Shindo's "The Naked Island" offers an impressive 1080p transfer on Blu-ray. This new high-definition film transfer was meticulously created on a Spirit 4K DataCine from a pristine 35mm print, struck from the original camera negative. The restoration process involved the manual removal of thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, and splices using MTI Film's DRS, with Digital Vision's Phoenix handling the management of grain, noise, flicker, and jitter. Colorist Sue Gates from Modern VideoFilm has ensured the resultant transfer boasts exceptional clarity and stability.

Depth and fluidity are outstanding, with no discernible signs of problematic degraining or sharpening adjustments. The brightness levels are competently managed, creating a dynamic range of blacks and grays that adds depth to the image. Detail is sharp and vivid throughout, particularly during closeups of plant life and characters, while wide shots maintain clarity without softening. The authentic layer of grain retained in the transfer contributes to the filmic quality, complementing the rich black levels and the nuanced gray and white scales. Despite a few tiny remaining vertical lines, all major age-related imperfections have been expertly removed, resulting in an overall excellent presentation.

In summary, this Blu-ray transfer from Criterion is the finest rendition of "The Naked Island" to date. The meticulous restoration and high-quality scanning processes have ensured that Kaneto Shindo’s work is preserved with remarkable detail and fidelity. With clear fluidity, excellent depth, and a well-balanced grayscale range, this video presentation stands out as a high mark for classic film restoration.

The audio presentation of "The Island" Blu-ray release features a Japanese LPCM 1.0 track, with optional English subtitles enclosed within the image frame. Notably, dialogue is minimal throughout the film, allowing the soundtrack to take center stage. This carefully curated score significantly enhances the period atmosphere, providing an elegant and gracious auditory experience that complements the stunning visuals. The dynamic intensity is modest yet effective, contributing to the overall balance and clarity of the sound.

Sound effects and ambient noises authentically capture island life while maintaining a realistic and light auditory presence. Each sound, from subtle ambient noise to occasional dialogue, is meticulously clear and well-balanced. Importantly, the audio track exhibits no signs of dropouts, hiss, crackle, or digital distortions, resulting in a pristine listening experience. This audio presentation sets a high standard for what it aims to achieve, leaving little to be desired in its technical execution.

The Blu-ray release of The Island shines with a rich array of bonus content, offering both historical and analytical insights into Kaneto Shindo's masterpiece. The Audio Commentary featuring Shindo and composer Hikaru Hayashi provides extensive behind-the-scenes knowledge on the film's themes, budget constraints, and music, all in Japanese with English subtitles. Actor Benicio Del Toro contributes a passionate Interview, elucidating on the film's profound impact and his personal connections with Shindo. Film scholar Akira Mizuta Lippit delivers a thorough Interview, exploring Japan's socio-political climate in the 1960s and the influences that shaped Shindo's work. A segment from Shindo himself offers a charming greeting from a 2011 retrospective organized by Del Toro, while the original Theatrical Trailer and a detailed Leaflet round out this captivating collection meticulously.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Discussion by Kaneto Shindo and Hikaru Hayashi.
• Interview with Akira Mizuta Lippit: Analysis on Japanese cinema and the 1960s socio-political environment.
• Kaneto Shindo: Greeting from a 2011 retrospective.
• Interview with Benicio Del Toro: Impact of the film and personal reflections.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer with Japanese text and optional English subtitles.
• Leaflet: Illustrated essay by Haden Guest.

Kaneto Shindo’s timeless masterpiece, The Naked Island (Hadaka no Shima, 1960), meticulously portrays the stark and solitary existence of a family residing on an isolated island in Japan's Setonaikai archipelago. Winner of the Grand Prix at the Moscow International Film Festival, this film is almost devoid of dialogue, with significant verbal interactions occurring well after the forty-minute mark, allowing the viewer to immerse deeply into the family's raw daily routine. The parents’ relentless trips to a neighboring island for fresh water highlight their battle against nature’s unforgiving elements, emphasizing survival’s cyclical monotony. Cinematographer Kiyomi Kuroda’s work offers a compelling visual narrative through stunning panoramic shots that brilliantly capture both the beauty and desolation of the island.

The family’s life, punctuated by two significant events, forms the crux of their poignant story. The first is the capture of a large fish by one of the boys; this brief moment of triumph leads to a rare excursion to sell their catch, affording them a modest but heartfelt celebration. Contrastingly, a subsequent tragedy brings a transient shift to their bleak routine, embodying the essence of life's inescapable highs and lows. Shindo's direction eschews melodrama, presenting these events with austere realism and emotional authenticity. His technique differs from contemporaries like Yasujiro Ozu, as Shindo utilizes fluid camera movements that enhance the narrative’s organic feel and reflect life's repetitive cycles.

The exquisite cinematography is complemented by Hikaru Hayashi's soothing soundtrack, enhancing the film’s serene yet somber atmosphere. The Criterion Collection Blu-ray release offers an impeccable transfer, enriched with supplementary features including interviews and archival commentary, which furnish insightful context to this cinematic gem. The Naked Island stands as a pure and beautiful cinematic experience, capturing the family's arduous but dignified existence with unparalleled veracity and emotional depth.

Kaneto Shindo's The Naked Island stands as one of the most evocative and visually striking films in Japanese cinema. With a compelling narrative that captures the hardships and serene moments of a Japanese family living on an isolated island, the film resonates with poetic simplicity and emotional depth. The picturesque cinematography, reminiscent of the works of Michelangelo Antonioni and Mikhail Kalatozov, is preserved beautifully in this Blu-ray edition, resulting in a visually stunning experience that is further amplified by high-fidelity audio presentations.

Criterion has delivered an exceptional Blu-ray release, ensuring that both video and audio qualities are top-notch. The meticulous restoration process showcases the film’s exquisite black-and-white imagery, bringing out details and contrasts that enhance its visual storytelling. The sound design remains faithful to the original while benefiting from the clarity and richness available in modern audio formats. Additionally, the supplementary features are thoughtfully curated, providing valuable context and deeper insights into Shindo’s masterpiece. These bonus materials add significant value, making the viewing experience richer and more immersive.

In conclusion, The Naked Island is a timeless gem in the realm of classic Japanese cinema that continues to captivate with its poetic elegance and profound narrative. This Blu-ray release is an excellent presentation that does justice to Shindo's vision, inviting both new viewers and seasoned fans to appreciate its cinematic beauty. Very highly recommended for any serious film collector or enthusiast.