Review: Japanese Epic 'The Human Condition' Receives a Superlative Release on Blu-ray

History is filled with art that looks back and criticizes the actions of a country, some even censored by the government for being too critical. That's only a small part of why Masaki Kobayashi's nine-plus-hour epic of personal expiation, "The Human Condition," feels like such a triumph. Rather than pointedly and blatantly expose the sins of World War II-era Japan, it centers on a character whose own piousness and naïveté spells his downfall, despite the modicum of goodwill he creates over the course of the film. When matters of the state are concerned, the matters of an individual are considered null.

"The Human Condition" gets a high-definition upgrade from The Criterion Collection with a three-disc Blu-ray edition. The new high-definition restoration looks good, although the age of the film tends to pop up in certain sequences with some image instability. But overall, this edition boasts a high contrast that matches the stark black-and-white aesthetic imbued on the film. And while there aren't a lot of special features included, the ones included are sure to enrich your understanding and appreciation of Kobayashi's landmark film.

Originally released as a trilogy between 1959 and 1961 in Japan, "The Human Condition" follows the life of Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) as he eludes being drafted into the military by taking up a position as a labor camp survivor in Japanese-occupied Manchuria. Kaji finds it hard to advocate for the prisoners when working up against the Kenpeitai, the military police arm of the Japanese Imperial Army. Kaji protests the brutality of the prisoners and is soon sent off to war for his disruptive presence, a journey that will push him right into battle with Soviets and, yes, his own conscience.

It's hard to summarize a nine-and-a-half-hour film without calling it "epic" or "grand in scope," but "The Human Condition" may be one of the few films actually worthy of those designations. Not only is the story a sprawling narrative about the personal and political failures of the individual up against the establishment, but it's also a rewarding work that showcases how Kaji's naïveté eventually leads him to make change where he has power, because shooting for more than that is futile. In a film filled with huge set pieces, the most affecting sequences are when we see Kaji wrestle with his own morality and try to rationalize the violence he's subjected to.

As for special features, there's a terrific booklet essay by Philip Kemp that's an essential read on the film. Plus, an interview with Kobayashi is included that provides even more depth to his very nuanced approach to filmmaking. "The Human Condition" is a towering work of Japanese cinema and should be sought out by all.

Other special features include:

� Excerpt from a 1993 Directors Guild of Japan interview with director Masaki Kobayashi, conducted by filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda
� Interview from 2009 with actor Tatsuya Nakadai
� Appreciation of Kobayashi and "The Human Condition" from 2009 featuring Shinoda

"The Human Condition" is now available on Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.