Under The Flag Of The Rising Sun (DVD)
Special Edition
APPROX. 96 MINS. - PROD. YEAR: 1972 - MPA RATING: NR
" On the surface, the premise is similar to Jean-Pierre Jeunet's "A Very Long Engagement" (my favorite film of 2004), but Fukasaku's take is far more grittier than Jeunet's fable-like film.
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Fukasaku's D.P., Hiroshi Segawa, who has also worked with Hiroshi Teshigahara ("Woman in the Dunes, for example), comes from a documentary background and it shows. Many of the flashbacks blend into the actual footage that it's hard to discern what was real and what was fiction. Fukasaku's familiar techniques such as tilted angles and handheld shots are first used here. These traits would return in Fukasaku's next film, "Street Mobster", and continue to be seen again and again.
The film isn't just about depicting the horrors of war, but depicting its affect on the people. The soldiers and their families are still haunted by past events. Right after the war, Terajima found himself home, living in the rubble of Tokyo. But when the city recovers and rebuilds, he finds himself uncomfortable with the modernized surrounds and flees to the garbage dump. The outside may change, but the emotional scars and internal pain will not. Just as Fukasaku dismantled the Yakuza's codes of honor in his gangster pics, he takes the same stance with Japanese army's belief of invincibility. Even in the face of defeat, some soldiers cling to the belief that was drummed into their minds to the point of delusion and madness.
VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The colors are sometimes washed out, but that's due mainly to the age of the film. Overall, the picture looks very good with no noticeable specks or grain.
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in mono in the original Japanese language, which is fine for this dialogue-heavy film.
EXTRAS:
There is an audio commentary track by subtitler, Linda Hoaglund. It's a great listen as she's very informative about the film and Fukasaku.
We also get a five minute interview with Fukasaku historian, Yamane Sadao. Another informative extra, albeit very brief.
Finally, there's the usual theatrical trailer and liner notes.
FILM VALUE:
Fans of Fukasaku will find "Under the Flag of the Rising Sun" a worthy predecessor to his more recognized Yakuza films. While similar to "A Very Long Engagement", don't expect the same optimistic ending. This is a heartbreaking film about the desperate acts man is capable of in the face of death.
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