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There is a good R3 Korean edition of The Eel as well

The Eel had a R1 release. I'm pretty sure the quality wasn't great.

None of Imamura's last three feature-length films have received stellar R1 releases, and the last I checked neither The Eel nor Dr. Agaki were in print. There's certainly room for improvement on all of them, but I'd rather see some high-quality releases for Imamura's previously unavailable films.

EDIT: Also, some Imamura-friendly studio should rescue his excellent contribution to that largely dreadful 9/11 portmanteau movie. I'd say Criterion seems likely—given that they've already grabbed Mira Nair's short from that very film for their Monsoon Wedding release—but they don't appear to be releasing any Imamura any time soon.

I think his last full-length feature, WARM WATER UNDER A RED BRIDGE got a pretty good release from Home Vision. Looks
like it's still in print, too.

There's a Tartan dvd of this for about £5.99 on Amazon UK - not sure what the quality is like, though.

The Tartan is absolutely fine; nothing to over-praise in the picture-quality department but definately worth picking up for £5.99 (and the film is great - a fittingly absurd but quite beautiful swansong to a unique and brilliant career).

Just to add, there is an R4 release of The Eel on the Madman 'Director's Suite' line, though it's hardly a stellar image (the colours and shadows are fine, but it's got alot of visible dirt and is badly converted NTSC - Pal and has some noticeable conversion issues) and from what I gather, it's in the wrong aspect ratio, 1:78:1 instead of 1:85:1, but it is the full 134 minute cut (I may be wrong, but I believe the R1 is a theatrical cut running at 116 minutes) and on the whole, acceptable enough to enjoy the film. As it stands, it's in desperate need of an MOC or Criterion display of affection.

Yes, let's us have The Eel, and on Blu-ray, please (if possible)! Furthermore, let it be the director's cut (which was released on DVD in Japan, without English subtitles, of course).

With the publicity that Metropolis is receiving, it's high time its Russian sibling 'Aelita' receives the MoC reatment.

med wrote:EDIT: Also, some Imamura-friendly studio should rescue his excellent contribution to that largely dreadful 9/11 portmanteau movie. I'd say Criterion seems likely—given that they've already grabbed Mira Nair's short from that very film for their Monsoon Wedding release—but they don't appear to be releasing any Imamura any time soon.

That won't be MoC though - Artificial Eye have released the film on DVD in the UK and likely wouldn't take to kindly to it being chopped up. Perhaps Criterion came to a deal with First Run Features who released the entire film on DVD in the US to use just the Mira Nair segment for Monsoon Wedding.

My wish for the Imamura to go for next would be A Man Vanishes which doesn't seem to be available in any edition, let alone a sub-par one. Then the 70s documentary works and Eijanaika. Then maybe The Eel in Blu-Ray...

I may be in a small minority, but I actually prefer Zegen of all his later works (perhaps even Black Rain), and the fact that it seems the be the most difficult to see, would love to see an MoC release.

But I am in agreement that A Man Vanishes is the most pressing absent, but I'm sure there's plenty of ATG red-tape keeping it that way.

But I am in agreement that A Man Vanishes is the most pressing absent, but I'm sure there's plenty of ATG red-tape keeping it that way.

I watched A Man Vanishes last night, and noted it seems to be a joint ATG/ Imamura Productions film. I imagine any hold-up is due to the seemingly labyrinthine ATG ownerships rights (film by film) and not the family.

I would be interested to know if the case was ever solved, or if anyone in Japan followed the case after the film came out.

Is MOC still planning a release for Lang's Man hunt?

Mikos Stenopolis wrote:Is MOC still planning a release for Lang's Man hunt?

Unfortunately, no.

tajmahal wrote:

But I am in agreement that A Man Vanishes is the most pressing absent, but I'm sure there's plenty of ATG red-tape keeping it that way.

I watched A Man Vanishes last night, and noted it seems to be a joint ATG/ Imamura Productions film. I imagine any hold-up is due to the seemingly labyrinthine ATG ownerships rights (film by film) and not the family.

I would be interested to know if the case was ever solved, or if anyone in Japan followed the case after the film came out.

I've seen it in the past and I'm pretty sure it was also distributed through Nikkatsu, so I can only imagine that can add to the rights hell it seems to be stuck in.

So, with the forthcoming Kino Bluray, can we reserve hope for a MoC update to the Eureka Steamboat Bill Jr ? (and The General and every other Keaton)

Two questions to MoC:

- any plan to update Eureka's Golem and include it in MoC series?

- what about Joyless Street - thinking of ordering the Filmuseum edition, but will hold if MoC has plans to issue it in the future.

Thank you!

No immediate plans for either, I'm afraid.

videozor wrote: - what about Joyless Street - thinking of ordering the Filmuseum edition, but will hold if MoC has plans to issue it in the future.

Go ahead and order it immediately. That edition can't be bettered by anyone, I think. The documentary on Pabst on the second disc would be worth the purchase alone.

Completely agree. One of the best DVD editions of a Silent film out there.

Having just re-watched the film...yet again...I say that if materials are in good enough condition, and if BFI or Artificial Eye haven't claimed it, I would love to see a sparkling Blu-ray of Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East? from MoC.

What A Disgrace wrote:Having just re-watched the film...yet again...I say that if materials are in good enough condition, and if BFI or Artificial Eye haven't claimed it, I would love to see a sparkling Blu-ray of Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East? from MoC.

Seconded - seeing this in high-definition would be an absolute dream release for me. A joint release with The People in White, blu or otherwise, would make my year.

What A Disgrace wrote:Having just re-watched the film...yet again...I say that if materials are in good enough condition, and if BFI or Artificial Eye haven't claimed it, I would love to see a sparkling Blu-ray of Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East? from MoC.

Close to top of the pile on my blu-ray wishlist, as well. Apart from the stunning imagery, an audio upgrade would be tremendous. Having said that, the Milestone dvd is very, very nice, with 5.1 audio offering a significant upgrade over the old dvd.

In a perfect world...........

Well. The website seems to be having trouble.

Hopefully this means an update?

The FAQ has an image from Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari or was that always there?

I sure hope that's new. And that it has a very good reason to be there.