Les bas-fonds [videorecording] = The lower depths / les films Alkam présentent ; une production Albatros ; un film de Jean Renoir ; scénario de E. Zamiatine et J. Companeez ; adaptation et dialogues de Jean Renoir et Charles Spark. Donzoko = The lower depths / Toho Company, Ltd. ; produced by Akira Kurosawa ; screenplay by Hideo Oguni and Akira Kurosawa ; directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Les bas-fonds: Jean Gabin, Louis Jouvet, Jany Holt, Junie Astor, Vladimir Sokoloff. Donzoko: Toshirō Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Kyōko Kagawa, Ganjirō Nakamura, Minoru Chiaki. Based on the play: Na dne / by Maxim Gorky. Les bas-fonds was originally released as a motion picture in 1936; Donzoko in 1957. Special features, disc 1, Les Bas-fonds: new digital transfer with restored image and sound, introduction by Jean Renoir, new English subtitles, RSDL dual layer. Special features, disc 2, Donzoko: new high definition, digital transfer with restored image and sound, optional audio commentary by Donald Richie, a 33 min. documentary about the film, new English subtitles, RSDL dual layer.
Summary:
Les bas-fonds (93 min.): A Baron, forced by circumstances, gives up his life of luxury and to takes up residence in the slums of Paris. The Baron observes the frustrated romance between Wasska Pepel and Natacha, the thwarted dreams of an actor, and the oppressive cruelties of landlord Kostileff. Donzoko (125 min.): Sutekichi, a vulgar, comical thief takes up residence in a slum flophouse inhabited by many eccentric, destitute people. Osugi, the cruel landlady, and her sister, Okayo, both desire him, and fight each other over him. Set in Edo-period Japan.
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