Boat People (The Criterion Collection) DVD

Boat People (The Criterion Collection) is a two-disc DVD edition of Ann Hui’s drama about a Japanese photojournalist encountering the aftermath of the Vietnam War. The edition is described as including a restored 4K digital transfer and several documentaries and archival extras, while playback media remains DVD.

At a glance

Ann Hui’s film follows a Japanese photojournalist who encounters the hardship faced by a Vietnamese family after the war.
The listing describes a director-approved, restored 4K digital transfer, but this edition is DVD rather than 4K UHD.
Listed extras include two documentaries about Hui, a conversation with filmmaker Stanley Kwan and Cannes press footage.
English subtitles are listed for the Japanese-language release.

Price

$14.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$29.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Two discs provide room for the feature and listed documentary and archival extras.
The restored transfer and director-approved edition may appeal to collectors interested in Hui and Hong Kong New Wave cinema.
English subtitles are listed.

Cons

This is a DVD edition, not a Blu-ray or 4K UHD release, despite the source transfer being described as 4K.

Technical specifications

13 specifications

Film and edition
Genre	Drama
Director	Hui, Ann
Actors	Chi-Cheung, Lam, Ma, Season, Miao, Cora
Contributors	Chi-Cheung, Lam, Hui, Ann, Ma, Season, Miao, Cora
MPAA rating	R (Restricted)
Release date	February 22, 2022

Disc and playback details
Format	DVD, NTSC
Number of discs	2
Language	Japanese
Subtitles	English
Runtime	109 minutes
Studio	The Criterion Collection

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	7.87 x 5.91 x 0.79 inches; 3.53 ounces

What to know before buying

The listing describes a restored 4K digital transfer and separately identifies the product as DVD, NTSC. The 4K wording refers to the transfer, not the playback format. The description also names a trailer, English subtitle translation, and essays that are not all repeated in the feature list, so confirm the included extras and packaging for the selected edition.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers interested in Ann Hui, Hong Kong New Wave cinema, or postwar Vietnamese history.
Collectors seeking a DVD edition with documentaries and other listed supplements.

Less suited to

Buyers who require Blu-ray or 4K UHD playback rather than DVD.

Boat People (The Criterion Collection) DVD · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.2 / 5 · 34 ratings

5 stars59%59%
4 stars18%18%
3 stars11%11%
2 stars6%6%
1 star6%6%

The supplied rating data is generally favorable but includes a meaningful spread across lower star categories. With no written review evidence available, it cannot establish what viewers liked or disliked. The rating alone is limited guidance for a film edition whose appeal may depend on interest in Ann Hui, the subject matter, DVD playback, and the listed supplements.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a 4K UHD disc?

No. The listing identifies the format as DVD, NTSC. The 4K wording describes the restored transfer, not a 4K UHD playback disc.

What language and subtitles are listed?

Japanese is listed as the language, with English subtitles.

What extras are described?

The listing mentions a conversation with Stanley Kwan, two documentaries about Ann Hui, Cannes press footage, a trailer, and essays. Check the selected edition's detailed contents because the feature lists do not match completely.