The Ballad of Narayama Blu-ray Review

The Ballad of Narayama’s Blu-ray release from Criterion showcases a noteworthy presentation, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and offered at 1080p within a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. This transfer, derived from the 2011 Shochiku and Imagica 4K restoration, ensures that Keisuke Kinoshita's film is represented with commendable visual fidelity. While some faint degradation can be seen in darker scenes, the print maintains a natural grain that enhances its filmic quality. Close-ups deliver superb depth and delineation, and the nighttime scenes boast clarity and precision, revealing minute details even under restricted lighting.

The restored film impresses with its rich color palette, particularly evident in the vibrant blues, greens, browns, grays, and especially the reds, thanks to the original Fuji color negative. However, some issues noted include light compression artifacts in a few nighttime sequences and an anomaly causing a stuttering effect between the 36:02 and 36:24 marks. Despite these quirks, the restoration is largely successful in delivering an engaging visual experience without any serious stability concerns or excessive degraining.

The transfer renders the film's unique aesthetic with integrity, capturing the elaborate set designs and theatrical lighting compositions effectively. The colors often feature a yellow or orange glaze, enriching the striking lighting that bathes important scenes in bold reds and ethereal greens. While contrast remains decent, black levels occasionally appear inconsistent and elevated. Overall, Criterion’s new restoration work, supervised by skilled professionals including Ryuichiro Kiyatake and Eiji Ishibashi, makes this release the finest available for this classic Japanese film.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "The Ballad of Narayama" offers a Japanese LPCM 1.0 track that is complemented by optional English subtitles within the image frame. The mono channel mix, though modest, successfully captures the essence of the film with its pristine quality. The narration and musical segments, especially the prominent singing and dance celebrations, are delivered with impressive clarity and fluidity, reflecting meticulous stabilization and cleanup processes which effectively eliminate background hiss, pops, or distortions.

Dialogue is consistently clear and sufficiently full, ensuring easy comprehension even in a single-channel format. The film’s kabuki-influenced storytelling places significant emphasis on music, and it is pleasing to note that the wailing voices and rhythmic beats maintain solid fidelity and come through cleanly. Effects work remains understated but effective; nature ambiance benefits from decent range and adds to the overall atmospheric experience despite being in mono. However, a minor background hissing is occasionally present in some scenes, though it does not detract significantly from the overall audio quality.

Overall, while the mix is basic by contemporary standards, it successfully preserves the music, which is integral to the narrative, delivering a clean and engaging auditory experience that aligns well with the film's age and style.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Ballad of Narayama" offers a compelling array of extras that enrich the viewing experience and provide valuable context to the film. Each feature has been curated to enhance understanding and appreciation of this cinematic masterpiece. Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of high-definition trailers and teasers, which capture the essence and historical context of the film. The illustrated booklet penned by critic Philip Kemp further deepens the narrative, offering erudite insights into the film's thematic elements and production background. This diverse collection of materials is presented with professionalism and attention to detail, making it a must-have for enthusiasts and scholars alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original Shochiku trailer for The Ballad of Narayama, in Japanese with optional English subtitles.
• Teaser: Original Shochiku teaser for The Ballad of Narayama, in Japanese with optional English subtitles.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp.

Keisuke Kinoshita's "The Ballad of Narayama," a stunning blend of cinema and kabuki theater, arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion, preserving its cultural and artistic integrity. Set in a 19th-century Japanese village near Mount Narayama, the film explores ancient traditions through the story of Orin (Kinuyo Tanaka), an elderly woman who must ascend the mountain to meet her fate. The narrative juxtaposes Orin’s serene acceptance of her destiny with her son Tatsuhei’s (Teiji Takahashi) struggle between familial love and cultural duty. This adaptation, rooted in traditional Japanese storytelling techniques, showcases the rigorous discipline and aesthetics of kabuki theater.

Technically, the film is remarkable for its elaborate stage decors and vibrant color lighting achieved during its pioneering use of Fuji color negative in 1958. The visual approach includes theatrical elements such as rotating sets and dramatic lighting that infuses scenes with surrealistic, almost experimental qualities. Adding to this unique aesthetic, a singer-narrator occasionally addresses the audience, offering context through wailing rhythms. Although initially jarring, these musical narrations eventually enhance the film's ethereal atmosphere. The reliance on wide shots over close-ups maintains a deliberate distance, allowing viewers to appreciate the choreography of movement and interaction within the ensemble cast.

"The Ballad of Narayama" subtly critiques unyielding traditions while delving deep into human emotions. Kinuyo Tanaka's powerful performance as Orin and Teiji Takahashi's portrayal of her conflicted son anchor the film's emotional core. While some may find the chanting narration redundant, it underscores the film’s thematic weight and cultural resonance. This Blu-ray edition, though light on supplemental features, offers an exceptional visual and auditory representation of Kinoshita's vision, ensuring that this elegiac meditation on aging, honor, and familial bonds remains a memorable cinematic experience.

Keisuke Kinoshita's "The Ballad of Narayama" is an arresting blend of cinema and kabuki theater, brought vividly to life on Blu-ray with a 4K restoration by Shochiku Co., Ltd. This restoration ensures the film's mesmerizing visual appeal is preserved, highlighting the vibrant, almost theatrical use of color that defines its stylistic approach. While it differs significantly in tone and execution from Shohei Imamura's later, grittier remake, Kinoshita's version stands out for its striking production design and engaging performances.

The Blu-ray release showcases a solid video transfer, faithfully capturing the film's distinctive aesthetic despite some minor motion anomalies. The audio mix adheres closely to the original modest source, maintaining the authenticity of the viewing experience. However, the release is relatively sparse in terms of additional content, offering little beyond a booklet and a few trailers. This barebones approach by Criterion might disappoint those looking for comprehensive supplementary material.

In conclusion, "The Ballad of Narayama" isn't without its flaws, but the emotional depth and visual distinctiveness of Kinoshita's vision make it a significant work worthy of appreciation. The presentation at Cannes highlights its cultural value, making this Blu-ray adaptation highly recommended for enthusiasts of classic Japanese cinema.