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Kwaidan AKA Kaidan AKA Ghost Stories AKA Hoichi the Earless AKA Weird Tales (Blu-ray) (1964)
Four chilling tales by the famed writer Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn) brought to life.Director: Masaki Kobayashi
OVERALL: Draw-
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Commentaries:Audio commentary by film historian Stephen Prince
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Extras:Interview with Masaki Kobayashi from 1993, conducted by filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda (15:15)
New interview with assistant director Kiyoshi Ogasawara (21:41)
New interview by English literature scholar Christopher Benfey about author Lafcadio Hearn (17:16)
B+W Japanese Theatrical Trailer (1:04)
Colour Japanese Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:25)
Colour Japanese Theatrical Trailer #2 (3:58) -
Subtitles:English (optional)
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Picture Format:1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):Japanese LPCM 1.0
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Includes an essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien.
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Extras:“Shadowings” video essay by film historian David Cairns (35:45)
“Kim Newman on Kwaidan” interview (24:24)
B+W Japanese Theatrical Trailer (1:04)
Colour Japanese Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:25)
Colour Japanese Theatrical Trailer #2 (3:58) -
Subtitles:English (optional)
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Picture Format:1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):Japanese LPCM 1.0
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Case type:Special Case
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Notes:Limited edition of 3,000 copies housed in a hardbound slipcase with a 100-page Perfect Bound Illustrated Collector’s book featuring reprints of Lafcadio Hearn’s original ghost stories; a survey of the life and career of Masaki Kobayashi by Linda Hoaglund; and a wide ranging interview with the filmmaker.
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OVERALL: Draw
Both have exclusive extras.
Three versions of this film exist:
(1.) The original uncut Roadshow version (183 minutes).
(2.) The American version (125 minutes) that omitted “The Woman of the Snow” segment (which was distrust as a short subject), subsequently replaced in circulation by Janus Films’ prints of the international version.
(3.) The international version (161 minutes).
About the running time differences (all this info is from criterionforum.org forums, and users "Annie Mall" & "editman"):
"Black Hair" episode:
The end of the segment is extended on the longer version. On Criterion it ends on a freeze frame of the samurai husband looking into his reflection on water. On the longer version however, he staggered madly outside the ruin of the house, found a piece of red cloth, which turned into a chunk of black hair and attack him. The blue title at the beginning of the feature (announcing that this film won an award at Cannes that year) is missing from some releases (at least the Japanese and Spanish DVDs).
"The Woman in the Snow" episode:
This episode is where the main differences are to be found. There is a nude scene (clearly censored for international tastes), another where we see the mother breast-feeding a baby and another one still where we actually see the mother and their children visiting the grave of the mother-in-law. The Intermission title card between "The Woman of the Snow" and "Hoichi the Earless" is missing on Criterion-disc.
"Hoichi the Earless" episode:
Longer version has a scene involving the finding of a dead body on a beach that later is seen getting a funeral at sea (we see the funeral boat leaving the shore).
"In a Cup of Tea" episode:
No differences.
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CUTS:
- Blu-ray A #90 America- Criterion Collection - No cuts - Original Roadshow Cut with intermission (183:15)
- Blu-ray B Limited Edition United Kingdom- Eureka - No cuts - Original Roadshow Cut with intermission (182:54)
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Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!
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Comparison added by James-Masaki_Ryan on 29/09/15
Comparison last updated by Eric_Cotenas on 20/03/20UPDATE LOG:
29/09/15: Initial entry.
Please ensure you read our disclaimer.
30/10/15: capsaholic.
14/07/19: Added notes on versions.
20/03/20: Added UK, revised version notes
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