The Life Of Oharu
1952
The story chronicles the decline through exile, concubinage and prostitution of Oharu Okui. Her sufferings and treatment are analysed until she is finally discarded like an inanimate object. Japanese dialogue with subtitles. Read more
| Starring | Kinuyo Tanaka, Toshiro Mifune |
|---|---|
| Director | Kenji Mizoguchi |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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The Life Of Oharu
The story chronicles the decline through exile, concubinage and prostitution of Oharu Okui. Her sufferings and treatment are analysed until she is finally discarded like an inanimate object. Japanese dialogue with subtitles.
| Starring | Kinuyo Tanaka, Toshiro Mifune |
|---|---|
| Director | Kenji Mizoguchi |
| Studio | ARTIFICIAL EYE |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 11 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: Japanese |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 26 Apr 2004 Production year: 1952 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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One of the great works from the greatest of Japanese directors, this episodic, tragic melodrama traces the life of a woman living under the severe moral code of the Genroku era in late 17th-century Japan. Played by Kinuyo Tanaka (who appeared in 11 Mizoguchi films and later became the first woman to direct a Japanese film), Oharu suffers a catalogue of injustices, most of them arbitrary and accidental, others of her own doing. The film, which won the Silver Lion at Venice in 1952, is informed by a Buddhist view of the world that acknowledges the impermanence of everything, especially happiness. Shot in long, beautiful takes, it is more devastating than depressing.
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This chronicle of the decline of a woman, from service in the imperial court of 17th-century Japan through exile,... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Stange and moving
This is one of those films that stays with you long after the final credits have gone. It seemed to me to be very Japanese and yet at the same time universal in its message that we cannot control our own destiny and at the same time we do make choices all the time that determine the course of our life. Mizoguchi is certainly one of the great directors in the history of cinema, though, for me, he comes second to the other great Japanese director, Ozu. It can be challenging getting into the world of pre-modern Japan, but rewarding to make the effort. This is classical cinema of a high order. The impact is slightly lessened by Mizoguchi's technique of filming long takes and distance shooting which does not really suit the TV format. Since you are not going to see his films at a cinema near you these dvd rentals offer us the best chance to view the work of a master film-maker.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Fabulous film.
This film has stayed with me. It has a lasting effect because it is so poignant. Oharu has a life so full of twists and turns, so many ups and downs. It is a Japanese film with subtitles and in black and white - you would think it difficult to watch - but it is riveting. Beautifully shot, directed and acted... just don't watch it if you are feeling down!! Fabulous film.
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The story chronicles the decline through exile, concubinage and prostitution of Oharu Okui. Her sufferings and treatment are analysed until she is finally discarded like an inanimate object. Japanese ... -