Josef von Sternberg’s The Saga of Anatahan on dual format in August
17 July 2017
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 edition in August.
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 presenting the film on Blu-Ray for the first time on home video in the UK in a special Dual Format edition.
The Saga of Anatahan will be released in the UK as a Dual Format edition (DVD & Blu-ray) on 14 August 2017 from Eureka Entertainment as part of the Masters of Cinema series at the RRP of £17.99.
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
A booklet featuring a new essay by Philip Kemp, alongside rare archival imagery
