The human condition / a Shochiku film ; developed by Bungei Production and Ninjin Club ; produced by Shigeru Wakatsuki ; screenplay by Zenzo Matsuyama and Masaki Kobayashi ; directed by Masaki Kobayashi.
Edition:
Blu-ray special edition.
Publisher:
The Criterion Collection,
Copyright Date:
2021
Description:
3 videodiscs (574 min.) : sound, black and white ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 folded sheet (12 unnumbered pages : illustrations ; 17 cm).
Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Chikage Awashima, Ineko Arima, Keiji Sada, So Yamamura, Akira Ishihama, Shinji Nanbara. Based on the novel by Junpei Gomikawa. Originally released in three installments of two parts each, 1959-1961. Wide screen (2.39:1) Special features: excerpt from a 1993 Directors Guild of Japan video interview with director Masaki Kobayashi; interview from 2009 with actor Tatsuya Nakadai; appreciation of Kobayashi and The human condition from 2009 featuring Shinoda; trailers; plus an essay by critic Philip Kemp.
Summary:
Tells of the journey of the well-intentioned yet naive Kaji from labor camp supervisor to Imperial Army soldier to Soviet POW. Constantly trying to rise above a corrupt system, Kaji time and again finds his morals an impediment rather than an advantage.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.