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Stray Dog (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]
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Genre | Drama |
Format | Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Multiple Formats, Black & White |
Contributor | Takashi Shimura, Eijir Tno, Katsuhei Matsumoto, Akira Kurosawa, Noriko Sengoku, Noriko Honma, Yasushi Nagata, Eiko Miyoshi, Minoru Chiaki, Reikichi Kawamura, Ryz Kikushima, Toshir Mifune, Keiko Awaji, Isao Kimura See more |
Language | Japanese |
Runtime | 2 hours and 2 minutes |
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Product Description
A bad day gets worse for young detective Murakami when a pickpocket steals his gun on a hot, crowded bus. Desperate to right the wrong, he goes undercover, scavenging Tokyo's sweltering streets for the stray dog whose desperation has led him to a life of crime. With each step, cop and criminal's lives become more intertwined and the investigation becomes an examination of Murakami's own dark side. Starring Toshiro Mifune, as the rookie cop, and Takeshi Shimura, as the seasoned detective who keeps him on the right side of the law, Stray Dog (Nora Inu) goes beyond a crime thriller, probing the squalid world of postwar Japan and the nature of the criminal mind."
Product details
- Aspect Ratio : 1.33:1
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : Unrated (Not Rated)
- Product Dimensions : 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.72 ounces
- Item model number : CRRNSTR290DVD
- Director : Akira Kurosawa
- Media Format : Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Multiple Formats, Black & White
- Run time : 2 hours and 2 minutes
- Release date : May 25, 2004
- Actors : Toshir Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Awaji, Eiko Miyoshi, Noriko Sengoku
- Subtitles: : English
- Language : Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
- Studio : Criterion Collection
- ASIN : B0001UZZSG
- Writers : Akira Kurosawa, Ryz Kikushima
- Country of Origin : USA
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #55,500 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #488 in Foreign Films (Movies & TV)
- #2,783 in Mystery & Thrillers (Movies & TV)
- #9,312 in Drama DVDs
- Customer Reviews:
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Regarding the Criterion DVD, the image quality is really no better than a VHS tape. Occasionally scenes are quite dark or the picture is striped with dark lines. The DVD menu page is too dark and it was almost impossible to read the options. As usual, Criterion offers no subtitle options beyond English. And the price is tad lower, if still too high. But at least they have made it available.
Stray Dog is an intense criminal story that examines the psychology of the characters as in compares the similarities between criminals and detectives. These similarities are balanced on a thin line based on choice, which Kurosawa dissects studiously through the camera lens. Kurosawa's investigation of the character's psychology creates a spiraling suspense that is enhanced through subtle surprises and brilliant cinematography. The camera use often displays shots through thin cloths, close ups, and new camera angles, which also makes the film aesthetically appealing. When Kurosawa brings together camera work and cast performance, among other cinematic aspects, he leaves the audience with a brilliantly suspenseful criminal drama, which leaves much room for introspection and retrospection.
The location photography alone is fascinating in depicting the Japan of 1948 or 49. And the story progresses as a very young Toshiro Mifune wanders through various levels of that postwar society in search of the thief who stole his Colt. On hand also, is that wonderful actor in Kurosawa's repertory company that was the leader of the 7 Samurai, and here too, is the older & wiser mentor to Mifune.
Finally, the movie wins you over for its own reasons. Though early, Kurosawa's composition, framing, and directorial skill is evident. The performances are fine. The atmosphere and location photography ground the film in reality. And it is a more complex film and story than it first appears. And, like early Ford, there is poetry amid the restrictions of budget and resources. And like early Ford, it presages what was to come. Good stuff if you've a mind for it. 5 stars for those folks.
Top reviews from other countries
After two pickpockets steal his pistol, detective Murakami — played by Toshiro Mifune — explores Tokyo’s slums. Even playing a game of cat and mouse with one of those pickpocketers that he retraces. Hoping to find back his property before someone uses it to hurt others.
As his investigation fails, Murakami wants to resign. However, his superior offers him a chance to work with detective Sato. Played by Takashi Shimura, this figure helps Murakami grow as a cop and brings him helpful aid in his investigation over his stolen gun.
Like many of his movies, Akira Kurosawa explores the realities of post-war Tokyo. Using a clever mix of handheld filming camera work, he obtains images of life around Tokyo and its slums, including stock footage of a baseball match. Latter moment which is important since Murakami and Sato will find someone linked to the stealing of that gun.
Technically, the film offers great visual tricks. One of them is when Murakami is searching Tokyo’s slums and it is displayed with a fusion of the handheld filming and Mifune’s face. Even better, the camera’s eye level gets to the level of a stray dog. Which adds a greater symbolical language to the scene and to the film. Making us wonder if the main character is the actual Stray Dog of the title; alongside the other characters living in the slums. Fighting to survive; attacking others and fleeing after committing their acts. Which enriches the tension of the detective drama.
Speaking of stray dog, Akira Kurosawa filmed one such animal up close for his opening credits; a great way to prepare us for the story’s stressful atmosphere. Though as mentioned by the director and as printed in the Criterion leaflet of their DVD, the filming of that dog caused a clash between him and an American bystander who claimed to be an animal activist for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Absolutely hysterical, she accused the director of having given rabies to that dog; when it was not true as the dog was healthy and friendly. To obtain their effect, the production had applied make up on the dog and given it exercise so that it would pant. But that woman refused to listen to the director and his team who all supported him. As Kurosawa explained, she based her accusations on anti-Japanese racism where she claimed that all Japanese were barbarians. The argument went to the point that he had to write a deposition to the Occupation officials to defend himself; while also wondering if there should not be a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Humans to confront vicious behavior like that activist toward him and his crew. As for that activist, I wonder if she wasn’t the one with rabies in her blood system, considering her rabid and psychotic activism.
Back to the movie, though Stray Dog is a thriller, it does not shy away from comedic moments. Like when Murakami is tailing one of the pickpockets all day long. Resulting in exasperated stares and remarks from the thief. Which highlights the comedy skills of Akira Kurosawa; something present in many of his movies, including dramatic stories like Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, or The Idiot.
And like so many of Kurosawa’s productions, the cast involves his two most important actors: Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura. The latter having worked on twenty-one of his thirty films. The former, doing his third work with the director. Continuing the amazing partnership that would help both artists obtain success worldwide thanks to their movie projects together.
However, do take note that the motion picture’s quality has suffered damage over time. Indeed, I noticed two technical details that showed how Stray Dog’s quality was affected. First, the sound quality in the training shooting scene was not as sharp as in other scenes. Then, there was during the film a black mark that appeared; which causes a serious tick noise. Of course, these elements are minimal and do not hinder the pleasure of watching this movie. Nevertheless, these details display the fragility of film stocks; how they can develop grain, dirt, and other technical damages that remind us of how they need to be preserved and restored as much as possible, if we want future generations of audiences to enjoy them like we do now.
In conclusion, Stray Dog is an excellent production from Akira Kurosawa. A great film noir detective thriller. Through excellent script. But also excellent images like these ones. Another classic that fans of Japanese cinema and of the director should watch.