The Burmese Harp [Criterion Collection]

"Released at the same time as Criterion's excellent DVD edition of Kon Ichikawa's Fires On The Plain, this presentation of Ichikawa's gentler but equally powerful meditation on the toll of war has been given a similarly strong treatment. The Burmese Harp has been transferred to disc in its original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and the images look excellent, replicating the elegant cinematography of Minoru Yokoyama without missing a single missing. The audio, in Japanese, has been mastered in Dolby Digital Mono, and makes the most of the source materials, with Akira Ifukube's score sounding especially impressive. Optional subtitles in English are included, with are clear and easy on the eyes. Among the bonus features included for this release are new interviews with director Ichikawa and leading man Rentaro Mikuni, the film's original Japanese trailer, and a thoughtful essay on the picture from film historian Tony Rayns. Criterion's recent emphasis on classic Asian cinema is more than welcome, and this is a beautiful presentation of a towering work in the history of Japanese film that's well worth your time and attention."