A Few Words About A few words about...™ The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[JamesNelson]

...This film has one of the most intriguing titles of all films...

The novella upon which the film is based was written in Japanese, and losing things in translation may account for the awkwardness of the title in English. I remember reading the book many years ago for a college literature class. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember thinking it better than the film. The author, Yukio Mishima, was an intriguing individual who took his own life via seppuku, reputedly after a failed coup intended to restore power to the Emperor.
I also remember that when the film was released there was much controversy surrounding rumors that the the lovemaking scenes went beyond simulation. Quite shocking back in 1976 for a "mainstream" production, and true or not I'm sure the rumors didn't hurt ticket sales.

 

[Noir Voyeur]

The novella upon which the film is based was written in Japanese, and losing things in translation may account for the awkwardness of the title in English.

I wouldn't say the film's title is awkward, far from it. The literal translation of the original Mishima novella, according to Wikipedia, is "The Afternoon Towing" ... and I'm struggling to think of a less evocative title! It seems we have translator John Nathan to thank for the revised title "The Sailor..." but the producers of the film deserve credit too, for not trying to change it again.

 

[JamesNelson]

I wouldn't say the film's title is awkward, far from it. The literal translation of the original Mishima novella, according to Wikipedia, is "The Afternoon Towing" ... and I'm struggling to think of a less evocative title! It seems we have translator John Nathan to thank for the revised title "The Sailor..." but the producers of the film deserve credit too, for not trying to change it again.

"Awkward" was probably a poor choice of words on my part. Perhaps "unconventional" might be more accurate? I certainly think it is poetic and completely befitting of the book's and movie's themes. I didn't know that the title was not a literal translation from the Japanese. I had always assumed it was.
In any case, I think I need to revisit the novella, but sadly, based on the reports, will not be purchasing the BD.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Was flipping through channels this evening and this film popped up. It must be the same master Shout! used, because the colour is awful, zero shadow detail, and more speckles than a dozen quail eggs. I lost interest due to the crappy master.

 

[haineshisway]

For anyone who has this disc - from whom did Shout Factory license it?

 

[Stephen_J_H]

I believe this is a StudioCanal title, meaning the licence for North America would reside either with Lionsgate or MGM, as it was released by Avco Embassy in North America.

 

[JoHud]

I don't think StudioCanal has anything to do with this one. My guess is either Lionsgate or Image Entertainment, given that Image released the now OOP DVD edition.

 

[haineshisway]

It should say on the pack of the packaging who the rights' holder is.

 

[ahollis]

I just purchased this four weeks ago from Amazon. I have a friend that is battling cancer and this is her favorite picture. We haven't looked at it yet but we have plans next week. I'm sure she will enjoy it.

 

[haineshisway]

Very interesting copyright notice to The Sailor Company - whatever that is, I'm not sure that's who owns the film NOW - if anyone owns the film NOW. I wonder if they forgot to register the copyright back then. That's been my suspicion all along.

 

[Jeffrey:K]

For anyone who has this disc - from whom did Shout Factory license it?

The Image DVD was licensed from Castle Hill, according to its back cover. Castle Hill seems to have (or at least did have at one time) several Avco Embassy-distributed pictures from the mid-1970s, including PIPE DREAMS and DEADLY HERO.

 

[JoHud]

Ah, Castle Hill, that's the one. Couldn't come up with the name. In the early days of HD transition, they've been semi-notorious for sticking to old SD transfers. Criterion has since licensed some of their stuff but otherwise I don't think they're putting serious effort in updating their video masters to HD ones to this day.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

It appears that Shout! Factory may now own the film outright, as they acquired Westchester Films in 2014 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shout-factory-acquires-westchester-films-736617, which acquired Castle Hill Productions' holdings in 2009. "Sailor" is listed as one of Westchester's holdings here: http://www.westchesterfilmsinc.com/#!s---v/cv7z

 

[JoHud]

In that case, hopefully that can issue a true remastering of the film sometime in the future.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Depends on what kind of elements Westchester has.

 

[Mark Edward Heuck]

Yes, Shout Factory bought the Westchester library, but the majority of those titles are already tied up in existing licenses to many labels - Criterion has the prime stuff like the Cassavetes films and B&W classics from the Caidin Trust, while Hen's Tooth, Code Red, Scorpion, and Kino Lorber have been picking up others. I believe SAILOR was acquired by Shout before they decided to buy the company outright.

Since many Westchester titles have gone through multiple owners before reaching them, they are often times deficient in having quality elements.

 

[Derrick King]

Looks like Scorpion Releasing is going to take a crack at this

The original camera negs have been sent for me to take a look at to see if I could improve on a beautifully shot, but disturbing, 1976 drama based on a classic Japanese novel that I'm a big fan of. The old Blu-Ray that came out 6 years ago was not well-received, so I want to see if I can make this film a lot better with today's technology. More info to follow.

 

[Radioman970]

Looks like Scorpion Releasing is going to take a crack at this

Any more news of this? I was thinking about picking up something, even the crappy blu ray. all I have a VHS.

 

[Robert Harris]

Looks like Scorpion Releasing is going to take a crack at this

If an entity holds the OCN, there is nothing to take a crack at. Even the most basic HD telecine, on an aged piece of equipment, operated by someone on the first day of a new job, would succeed.

It’s then in the hands of a colorist.

 

[Derrick King]

Any more news of this? I was thinking about picking up something, even the crappy blu ray. all I have a VHS.

Unfortunately, no. If you are on Facebook you could ask them if they have any news (I'm not, or I'd ask myself.)

Scratch that, last month,he did offer an update on the Blu-ray.com forum.

Ran into some issues as I scanned the original negative and it turned out the original negative was a checkerboard a / B roll which means you have to scan the film twice and then hire an Editor to put it together those take a long time to work on

plus trying to do this one extra has taken a lot longer than we anticipated