Sansho the Bailiff

Although not as well-known as some other Japanese directors—Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu in particular—Kenji Mizoguchi (1898-1956) was an equally masterful filmmaker, whose 1954 Sansho the Bailiff was one of his most notable efforts. Set in the country's distant feudal past, the story revolves around a noble family reduced to ruin after the father, an idealistic governor sympathetic to the peasantry, is sent into exile. In the aftermath, his wife, son, and daughter are abducted: the children are dragged into slavery under the cruel rule of Sansho, steward to an imperial official, while the mother is forced to become a prostitute. On one level, Sansho the Bailiff is an exquisite rendering of a traditional folktale (an accompanying paperback includes translations of both an ancient oral version and the modern short story that served as the immediate source), but it's also a harrowing tale of the oppression of women and an exaltation of the idea (held by the governor) that all men are created equal—a theme certainly in keeping with the post-WWII political reformation of Japan. Boasting extraordinary visual artistry, Sansho the Bailiff is at once an elegant portrayal of traditional Japanese society, a hauntingly sad tale of human suffering, and a film that (in 1954 Japan) bordered on the revolutionary. Presented with a superb digital transfer, DVD extras on this Criterion Collection release include an audio commentary by Japanese literature professor Jeffrey Angles, interviews (with critic Tadao Sato, assistant director Tokuzo Tanaka, and actress Kyoko Kagawa), and the aforementioned 82-page book, which also includes an essay by scholar Mark Le Fanu. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (F. Swietek)[Blu-ray Review—Feb. 26, 2013—Criterion, 124 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1954's Sansho the Bailiff boasts a fine transfer and a mono soundtrack. Blu-ray extras are identical to those on the standard DVD release, including audio commentary by Japanese literature scholar Jeffrey Angles, and interviews with film critic Tadao Sato (24 min.), assistant director Tokuzo Tanaka (15 min.), and costar Kyoko Kagawa (11 min.), plus a booklet. Bottom line: a Japanese classic shines on Blu-ray.]