Blu-Ray Review: Criterion Releases Controversial ‘In the Realm of the Senses’

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Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – It’s interesting that Criterion has chosen to give their unmatched treatment to two films in the same week that were drastically censored upon their initial releases - “In the Realm of the Senses” and “The Wages of Fear”. The latter was edited for issues of perceived anti-Americanism and for issues of length. The former was censored for, well, everything.

“In the Realm of the Senses” is the kind of film that the modern ratings system has deemed impossible to make and distribute. It is a very adult movie. A film with a lot of unsimulated sex, including close-ups of graphic sexual acts that were not faked in any way. To many, it would be deemed straight-up pornography, but that’s not a word usually associated with The Criterion Collection and it would be doing a disservice to the film. This is proof that there is a difference between an adult film and a pornographic one.

In the Realm of the Senses was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection

Directed by Japanese filmmaker Nagisa Oshima, “In the Realm of the Senses” (“Ai No Corrida”) is one of the most provocative and controversial films of all time. Graphic in every way - sexually, violently, thematically - “In the Realm of the Senses” is about people using their bodies in every disturbing way possible. Personally, I think it is a good-not-great film that earned a reputation for its graphic nature, but it is well-made with interesting themes and the Criterion release is spectacular with an absolutely perfect video transfer and great special features.

1976’s “Senses” is based on a true incident of physical obsession. The love between a man and a woman (Tatsuya Fuji and Eiko Matsuda) grows increasingly intense and downright dangerous. “Senses” features dozens of sex scenes, which escalate in intensity and even violence when the acts between the couple turn sadistic and ultimately dangerous. The end of “Senses” is stunningly graphic.

In the Realm of the Senses was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009. Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection

It’s important to note that “Senses” is set in a time of ever escalating imperialism and governmental control in 1930s Japan, making the film a clear commentary on taboo-breaking and a political film as much as a pornographic one. The film is still banned in its own country.

Here, Criterion has remastered in it in high-definition, presenting the complete, uncensored version with a new restored print that is absolutely flawless. On the same night I watched “Senses,” I watched a film that was made 33 years later that didn’t look as good as this one. The light, the flesh tones, the line detail - it’s a stunning HD transfer. And the mono audio track is just-as-perfect. Criterion has been a technical model to follow on DVD and they’re doing the same on Blu-Ray. Studios should look to them for lessons.

I also love how Criterion uses special features to enhance not just supplement a film. Nothing ever feels superfluous with Criterion. You won’t find typical EPK interviews or gag reels just to take up space.

With “Senses,” buyers get a new audio commentary featuring film critic Tony Rayns, a new interview with actor Tatsuya Fuji, a 1976 interview with director Nagisa Oshima and actors Fuji and Eiko Matsuda, and a 2003 program featuring interviews with consulting producer Hayao Shibata, line producer Koji Wakamatsu, assistant director Yoichi Sai, and film distributor Yoko Asakura, deleted footage, the U.S. trailer, and a booklet featuring an essay by Japanese film scholar Donald Richie and a reprinted interview with Oshima.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com