Japanese Movie - Hachiko Monogatari [Japan DVD] DA-5853

I saw this original version with English subtitles and found it very moving. I, however, found the timeline somewhat confusing especially towards the end. The film jumps from his loving master's death and eventual abandonment in 1925 to December of 1928 when an article on Hachi and his loyalty to his master is published in the local newspaper. Initially Hachi had been trained by his master to accompany him daily to the train depot to see him off and greet his return from his day's work. Hachi, however, continued this for years long after his master's death. Daily, Hachi would embark at the same time to seek his master at the station. Notwithstanding the article and the notoriety it bestowed, Hachi acquired only a brief reprieve from the ill treatment he had received while living as a stray still seeking his master. He does have one friend however that tries to protect him, that is the meat vendor at the train depot where Hachi continually returns. The film then jumps to May of 1934, showing his former mistress living comfortably by the ocean. That scene suddenly changes back to the train station where Hachi is standing near the gate at the place where he used to greet his master. By now, Hachi appears unkempt, old, thin, tired and unhealthy and seemingly fears humans. It is in the afternoon and a windy storm is moving in. The vendor who has apparently not seen Hachi in a while spots him and approaches calling his name, but tragically Hachi runs leaving the vendor very sad. This is where I have trouble following the timeline for I cannot tell if we are still in the spring or now in the winter, the afternoon before Hachi's death. I assume it is the winter for the wind storm moving in might indicate incoming snow. Anyhow, the scene changes to the depot the following?? morning in the early hours, perhaps 2 or 3 am, the streets are vacant with the street lamps providing just enough light. It is quiet, the colors are a metallic black and white, and there is a light snowfall. Hachi approaches the gates calling for his master one last time. It is here where his search finally concludes. He begins to have visions of a parade of nameless faces passing before him out of which one sole figure emerges, the figure he has always known and recognizes. His master slowly approaches, smiling, beckoning. A now young and alive Hachi is running in a Park filled with trees, blossoms and grasses in bloom, dews, magnificent smells and the bright Spring Morning hues of green, purple and blue. He runs to his young living master who joyfully awaits with open arms and is calling him by name. Hachi, running out of himself and into his master's arms, finally completes his journey. But soon thereafter blossoms begin to fall from the trees and the colors fade back to the blacks, whites, and grays of the station with its sterile, cold, colorless and indifferent life. In the oncoming dawn all that remains is Hachi's lifeless body lying flat in front of the depot facing the opposite side of the road, covered in snow. There is just enough morning light, the streetlamps extinguish. The date 'March 8, 1935' appears. Very sad, very moving.Just one final note: Hachi dies looking into the open spaces across the road, to the 'other side', perhaps towards home or a new Home, or into the light of the streetlamp across the street; but at last not looking into the old cage, the depot where the endless parades of shadows and dark figures had passed for so long. Perhaps it is the tall streetlamps that supply the light and the panorama he experiences in his final vision: the lamp posts become trees; the snow covered road the path he runs in reuniting with his master; the lamp post directly across the road with its extended arms and suspended bulbs becomes the focal point and joy of his final breath, for in it his master receives him with open arms; the falling snow the falling blossoms; and finally the falling blossoms themselves become both reality and 'transition to'- simply put, a symbol of cessation, Death. As he passes he leaves a snapshot of his final moments, his final gaze fixed upon the light of his master, upon a new side, a new place, a colorful new Beginning, ..... upon peace. His long struggles finally conclude. At dawn, the morning traffic appears unaware of his remains, or perhaps they just don't 'see' him anymore (if they ever did). Their indifference has blinded them not only to his belated existence but also to one another. But their response is irrelevant for he is not a participant in this world any longer; his capacities for loyalty and commitment helped lay the path back to his master. The film ends as it began, in snow marking ends that are in fact Beginnings. We know that Hachi did in fact die in the early morning hours of March 8, 1935, but not at the station. He passed a little behind the southeastern part of the station, just beyond a set of railroad tracks by the side of a liquor store. It turns out the proprietor there had been friendly with him, often giving him food and water. In his last hours, he may have been working his way towards that location for some comfort, perhaps water, sensing that death was imminent. Finding only a dark establishment, no-one awake or present, he simply lied down and went to sleep, and passed on. (see Dr. Mayumi Itoh's fine work on Hachi)

It broke my Desktop computer DVD player. When I popped in this Japanese DVD, something went wrong and didn't play. I kept trying and eventually broke my DVD. I had no idea that the Japanese DVD has a different format and my computer didn't warn me. I got my obsoleted laptop out and tried and that laptop asked where the DVD is from. When I clicked on "Japan", it worked just fine. I LOVED THE MOVIE. I WENT TO AOYAMA GAKUIN Elementary School near that train station. I used to meet my friends by Hachiko statue. I knew the story and wanted to see the movie. One star for not telling me it's in different DVD format but 5 Stars for the movie.

I chose this rating, because I watched this movie on a free website and found it so beautiful, heartbreaking and loving that I wanted to own it. I ordered it from Amazon, but discovered the DVD would not play. I then read the Amazon reviews, which said this DVD would not play on U.S. DVD players. It is the original film made of the true story of Hachiko, a dog in prewar Japan, whose devotion to his Japanese owner continues for 6 years after his master's death, until his own. The final scene's beauty and poignancy haunts me still. An American version with Richard Gere, called Hachi, was made not too long ago. It is a good movie, but not a remake of the original film. Hachi takes place in present day America with an American owner. Very touching and worth seeing, but not comparable to the original. Amazon, please acquire a DVD of the Japanese film that DVD players for sale in America can play.

In order for you to appreciate this movie, knowledge JP culture/language is a requirement. But there are certain aspects that transcend language and culture.Sometimes, Animals, especially Dogs(and cats(I'm the latter)) are better than people. Loyalty t the extreme.....is that just simple instinct running automatic or something deep?Recommended purchase (skip the Richard Gere version)

This is a Japanese region A blu-ray. It does work on US players, but no English subtitles. I watched the subtitled bootleg online, then explained the story verbally to my family as we watched the blu-ray. The story is fairly simple and the flow reminds me of a silent movie. Definitely worth buying the blu-ray. The HD clarity is much better than online.

Having viewed practically every film relating to dogs, I loved this Japanese version. Photography, music, and acting are great. In preparation for the DVD arrival from Japan (Japanese Life Goods), I purchased a Jinhoo multi media DVD player. I was aware the film is in Japanese only - no dubbing or subtitles but still enjoyed it. It's a tearjerker as is the American version. Looking for a Japanese girlfriend who can translate while I watch it again.

I know the story, hence I was able to enjoy it even though I cannot understand Japanese. I would have given it 5 stars if it had English subtitles.

After watching the American movie version, I was so touched that I had to see the Japanese version where it all happened. This story will stay with me for life! It reinforced my love and respect for animals and for relationships in general.

学生時代友達と見に行き、号泣して帰った思い出。ふと最近見たくなり、どうせならDVDよりBlu-rayで・・と思い、Blu-rayを買ってみました。だいぶ昔の作品なので今のような綺麗な画像ではありませんでしたが、大好きな作品なのでコレクションとして持っていてもいいと思います。長い休みに入ったら、犬好きな我が子とゆっくり観賞したいです。

fast delivery good item thanks

ここ数年でこんなに泣けた作品はなかった。うちのコが東電のせいで死んでしまった。免疫不全症候群だった。この作品を見て、うちのコに会いたくなった。

As a dog lover, this is one of my favorite movies of all time! I also love the Richard Gere remake but I prefer this one a little more! I have a subbed dvd so I bought this blu ray for better quality picture! Love this movie!

白状するといい歳をした男の癖に涙と鼻水を拭くのにティッシュ1箱が必要であった　ハチの飼い主の上野博士の奥方がハチを紀州に連れて帰っていればこんな美談(悲劇)は生まれなかったであろうと複雑な気持ちになった