Yasujiro Ozu’s first talkie, the uncommonly poignant The Only Son is among the Japanese director’s greatest works. In its simple story about a good-natured mother who gives up everything to ensure her son’s education and future, Ozu touches on universal themes of sacrifice, family, love, and disappointment. Spanning many years, The Only Son is a family portrait in miniature, shot and edited with its maker’s customary exquisite control.
| Tsune Nonomiya | Choko Iida |
| Ryosuke (adult) | Shinichi Himori |
| Ryosuke (child) | Masao Hayama |
| Sugiko | Yoshiko Tsubouchi |
| Otaka | Mitsuko Yoshikawa |
| Okubo | Chishu Ryu |
| Director | Yasujiro Ozu |
| Story | James Maki (a.k.a. Yasujiro Ozu) |
| Screenplay | Tadao Ikeda and Masao Arata |
| Cinematography | Shojiro Sugimoto |
| Sound | Hideo Mohara and Eiichi Hesegawa |
| Art director | Tatsuo Hamada |
| Music | Senji Ito |
December 11, 2015
With his singular and unwavering style, Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu disregarded the established rules of cinema and created a visual language all his own. Precise compositions, contemplative . . . Read more »
By July 13, 2010
At the author’s request, Japanese names are given here in their traditional form: surname first. Nineteen thirty-six was a decisive year for imperial Japan, marked by extreme violence at home . . . Read more »
By July 13, 2010
At the author’s request, Japanese names are given here in their traditional form: surname first. Nineteen thirty-six was a decisive year for imperial Japan, marked by extreme violence at home . . . Read more »
December 11, 2015
With his singular and unwavering style, Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu disregarded the established rules of cinema and created a visual language all his own. Precise compositions, contemplative . . . Read more »
January 03, 2011
Before we put 2010 to bed, we thought we’d catch up with all the year-end lists that have sprung up over the past week or so. A good place to start is DVD Beaver’s annual poll, which ranks the . . . Read more »
By July 13, 2010
At the author’s request, Japanese names are given here in their traditional form: surname first. Nineteen thirty-six was a decisive year for imperial Japan, marked by extreme violence at home . . . Read more »
