#217: OZU, Yasujiro: Tokyo Story (1953)

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OZU, Yasujiro (Japan)
Tokyo Story [1953]
Spine #217
DVD


Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story follows an aging couple, Tomi and Shukichi, on their journey from their rural village to visit their two married children in bustling postwar Tokyo. Their reception, however, is disappointing; too busy to entertain them, their children send them off to the hot springs. After Tomi falls ill, she and Shukichi return home; the children, grief-stricken, hasten to be with her. From a simple tale unfolds one of the greatest of all Japanese films. Starring Ozu regulars Chishu Ryu and Setsuko Hara, the film reprises one of the director's favorite themes — that of generational conflict — in a way that is quintessentially Japanese, and yet universal in its appeal.

136 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in Japanese
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2003
Director/Writers


Written by Kôgo Noda and Yasujiro Ozu.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Eight-page wraparound featuring an essay by David Bordwell.

Commentary

By Ozu-film scholar David Desser, editor of Ozu’s Tokyo Story, a compilation of writings and reviews about the film.

I Lived, But … (1983)

A two-hour documentary about the life and career of Ozu, featuring assistant Shohei Imamura, critics Donald Richie and Tadao Sato, actors Ryu, Okada, Sugimura, and many others.

Talking with Ozu (1993)

A 40-minute tribute to Ozu featuring reflections from directors Stanley Kwan, Aki Kaurismäki, Claire Denis, Lindsay Anderson, Paul Schrader, Wim Wenders, and Hou Hsiao-hsien.
Original theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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