I notice this occurs after the criterion DVD was released. Could it be that viewers found it distasteful or bland? Why is it that when a great film like this finally receives its deserved treatment there are always negative consequences?
Last film seen: The Ballad of Cable Hogue 8/10
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I'm not sure why this happened with Sansho the Bailiff, especially since the Criterion version is so solid, overall. It probably has nothing to do with this, but I'll toss a prediction out there anyway. Windowboxing. A lot of people despise the way Criterion windowboxes their 4:3 films, and it could have annoyed some people enough to lower their rating. :-) Just a guess...
Seems a kind of trivial matter to actually lower one's ratings, though sometimes presentation can heighten or lessen the impact of a film.
My best guess is that people are becoming more aware of the film, and resultantly so are the idiots who give anything without explosions a 1/10. The film gets more viewers, but also has to deal with some of the idiots on this site.
Still, Sansho has never looked better, except perhaps at the time of release, so it is a shame people are low-balling its rating. One would think the reverse would be true, and that a better presented version of the film would INCREASE the rating.
I'm very impressed with the entire criterion package, the artwork is beautiful and the presentation in as pristine as you could get the film at this point. Its one of the best looking 1950s films in my collection. I also liked the booklet, I found that it added to my appreciation of the film, after having seen it, it was nice to reminisce by reading the short story.
Even if the rating is getting lower, at least it is a sign of the films rising popularity. Since being released, it has taken a higher spot on theyshootpictures.com's top 100.
In my opinion, Buster Keaton's The General (which I know you don't care for Trouter, but I think it's one of the greatest films EVER, Top 10 for me) is lucky to be at 8.3 on IMDb since the American DVD releases are all so ATROCIOUSLY poor. If you watched the Kino DVD release, well...all I can say is I'm sorry.
The release I saw was pretty awful, it wasn't even up to kino's standards, but aside from this I don't see anything particularly insightful or profound about the film, just some interesting camera work and a fine performance from Keaton. If you want a real silent masterpiece look at 'Greed' or 'The Passion of Joan of Arc'.
Last film seen: Lady Snowblood 7/10
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This is just a guess, but when it hit the 250 place there for a while, more people would have seen it there, gone to its page, and either watched it and voted on it, or simply voted on it.
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I just watched it for the first time. The Criterion DVD looked amazing. What a great, heartbreaking film. I just scored it a 10. The actors were all quite good, and the direction was masterful.
http://www.inkycircus.com/jargon/images/tang_1.jpg
I notice this occurs after the criterion DVD was released. Could it be that viewers found it distasteful or bland? Why is it that when a great film like this finally receives its deserved treatment there are always negative consequences?