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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Chushingura


Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 48 (May 2001) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Koshiro Matsumoto, Yuzo Kayama, Tatsuya Mihashi, Takashi Shimura, Keiju Kobayashi, Ryo Ikebe, Setsuko Hara, Yoko Tsukasa, Hisaya Morishige & Toshiro Mifune

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 1.5
DD Sound Rating: 1
DTS Sound Rating: NA
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: NA
Internet Links


Special Features
None


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Image Entertainment
(Catalog Number): ID985TCDVD
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Rating Reason):

NA
(Retail Price): $29.99
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): No
(Running Time In Minutes): 207
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 1962
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 10/28/98
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Tiroshi Inagaki
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Chushingura (The Loyal 47 Samurai), is an eighteenth century Japanese morality tale. Lord Kira is the Grand Master of Ceremonies for a planned reception of Imperial representatives. When the honorable Lord Asano refuses to bribe Kira, he is repeatedly demeaned until he loses control, whips out his sword, and wounds Kira. For this dishonorable act he is forced to commit hara-kiri. His faithful vessels swear to avenge this injustice and much blood flows. The complex political maneuvering and swordplay is compelling, although at times difficult to follow.

DVD Picture:
The windowboxed 2.10:1 DVD is not anamorphically enhanced and exhibits very slight improvements over the LaserDisc reviewed in Issue 14, improvements that are limited to slight refinements in color fidelity. The picture quality is unimpressive and appears to be sourced from a print element. The image is jumpy, with excessive aliasing, shimmering details and moir

Soundtrack:
The Dolby