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Criterion Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System DVD1 / 7
Product guide

Criterion Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System DVD

Criterion’s Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System is a four-film DVD collection of dramas made between 1953 and 1962. The set brings together The Thick-Walled Room, I Will Buy You, Black River, and The Inheritance, with Japanese audio and English subtitles stated for each film.

At a glance

  • Four Kobayashi films explore social and political pressures in postwar Japan, from wartime accountability to institutional corruption and greed.
  • The four film descriptions specify Japanese audio with English subtitles and black-and-white, monaural presentation.
  • The collection offers 440 minutes of listed film runtimes across four discs.
Price
$29.98Save 50%

Reference price: $59.95

Price checked: Nov 14, 2026

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Often bought together

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Collects four feature-length Kobayashi dramas in one four-disc set.
  • Each film has a distinct subject, spanning soldiers imprisoned after the war, professional baseball, life around military bases, and a contested inheritance.
  • Film-by-film runtimes, aspect ratios and subtitle details are supplied.

Cons

  • The listed presentations are black and white and monaural, rather than color or stereo.

Technical specifications

16 specifications
Collection and playback
FormatBlack & White, Box set, Full Screen, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Number of discs4
Runtime7 hours and 20 minutes
SubtitlesEnglish, Japanese
LanguageEnglish
GenreDrama
People and release
DirectorMasaki Kobayashi
ActorsKeiko Kishi, Masaki Kobayashi, Tatsuya Nakadai
StudioCriterion Collection
Release dateApril 16, 2013
Item model number26354619
Dimensions and packaging
Dimensions listed0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 9.92 ounces
Individual films
The Thick-Walled Room1953 110 minutes Black & White Monaural In Japanese with English subtitles 1.33:1 aspect ratio
I Will Buy You1956 112 minutes Black & White Monaural In Japanese with English subtitles 1.33:1 aspect ratio
Black River1957 110 minutes Black & White Monaural In Japanese with English subtitles 1.33:1 aspect ratio
The Inheritance1962 108 minutes Black & White Monaural In Japanese with English subtitles 2.40:1 aspect ratio

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The general format field lists both Full Screen and Widescreen, while the film descriptions give aspect ratios of 1.33:1 for the first three films and 2.40:1 for The Inheritance. The general language field says English, but each film description specifies Japanese audio with English subtitles and the subtitle field lists English and Japanese. Confirm the relevant presentation details if these distinctions matter to your setup.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

  • Viewers building a collection of Masaki Kobayashi films or Japanese postwar dramas.
  • Buyers interested in social dramas about war, business, corruption and family power.

Less suited to

  • Viewers seeking color films, stereo sound or a high-definition release.
Criterion Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System DVD · photo 2
Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 64 ratings
  • 5 stars79%79%
  • 4 stars11%11%
  • 3 stars4%4%
  • 2 stars0%0%
  • 1 star6%6%

The aggregate rating distribution is mostly five-star, with a smaller one-star share and some middle ratings. Without individual review details, it cannot show what viewers liked or disliked. The scores provide only a broad impression and do not establish picture, sound or subtitle performance.

Frequently asked questions

Which films are included?

The set includes The Thick-Walled Room, I Will Buy You, Black River, and The Inheritance.

What audio and subtitle details are listed?

Each film description specifies Japanese audio with English subtitles. The general language and subtitle fields differ, so consult the notes if language options are important.

How many discs and how much runtime are listed?

The listing specifies four discs and a total runtime of 7 hours and 20 minutes.

Criterion Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System DVD · photo 3
Additional product photo 3

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