The Ozu Collection: Volume Four

Of the two films Late Autumn supersedes An Autumn Afternoon having benefited from a relatively flawless PAL transfer and the Agfacolor picture is impressive considering the lifespan of the film. Ozu’s cinematography creates a particularly vivid image and so it is heartening to see that the transfer to DVD has been sympathetically done. Although the picture of An Autumn Afternoon is not quite as clear and sharp it does not lose too much and retains a soft warmth.

Both films are shown with Dolby 2.0 and benefit in equal measure with the score escaping what may have been a tinny sound on VHS. There is little or no ambient noise during the film and this contributes to what is a roundly enjoyable package.

There is something of a shortage of extras on the package; however, the notion of behind-the-scenes documentaries and blooper reels was completely alien at the time. Late Autumn includes the original cinematic trailer and there is also a rare glimpse of Ozu at work on An Autumn Afternoon.