Eureka Entertainment to release THE SAGA OF ANATAHAN, Josef von Sternberg’s vulnerable tale of human trauma, survival and redemption, for the first time on home video in the UK on Blu-ray as part of The Masters of Cinema Series in a Dual Format (Blu-ray & DVD) edition on 14 August 2017.
Josef von Sternberg – the innovative director with an unmatched eye for detail and a reputation for his intensity – brings to life this vulnerable tale of human trauma, survival and redemption.
Set during the dying stages of World War II, The Saga of Anatahan tells the story of twelve Japanese seaman stranded on a forgotten island for seven years. Accompanied only by Keiko (Akemi Negishi), a young Japanese woman, all rationality and discipline are soon overcome by a struggle for power and control over Keiko’s affections.
Narrated by Sternberg himself, the director positions himself as the story’s unconscious viewpoint amidst his other trademark qualities: lush mise-en-scene, theatrical lighting and bleak yet poignant storytelling. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present the film on Blu-Ray for the first time on home video in the UK in a special Dual Format edition.
Available to order from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2u0DxJg.
DUAL FORMAT SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:
· Reversible Sleeve
· 1080p presentation from a new 2K restoration of the uncensored 1958 version of the film
· Uncompressed PCM soundtrack (on the Blu-ray)
· Optional English subtitles
· The complete 1953 version of the film (Blu-ray only)
· A new interview with Asian film expert Tony Rayns
· Whose Saga? – A visual essay by critic Tag Gallagher
· Saga: The Making of Anatahan – An interview with Nicolas von Sternberg
· U.S. Navy footage of the actual survivors of Anatahan, immediately after their surrender
· Unused footage originally filmed specially for the 1958 version of the film
· Original theatrical trailer
· PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by Philip Kemp, alongside rare archival imagery
“The film works subversively by implicating its audience in the patterns of desire and violence, discipline and surrender. It’s brilliant. When was the last time you felt stark naked after a movie?” – Time Out
