Released: 19th August 2024. Opening with a shot of an x-ray, showing the main character's stomach, Ikiru tells the tale of a dedicated, downtrodden civil servant who, diagnosed with terminal cancer, learns to change his dull, unfulfilled existence, and suddenly discovers a zest for life. Plunging first into self-pity, then a bout of hedonistic pleasure-seeking on the frenetic streets of post-war Tokyo, Watanabe – the film's hero – finds himself driven to give some meaning to his life, finally finding satisfaction through building a children's playground.
Beautifully played by Takashi Shimura (who starred in 21 of Kurosawa's films), Ikiru is an intensely lyrical and moving film, and was one of Kurosawa's own favourites.
Special Features
Restored in 4K and presented in High Definition (2-disc limited edition)
Introduction by Alex Cox (2003, 15 mins)
Newly commissioned audio commentary by film critic Adrian Martin
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create – Ikiru (2003, 42 mins): created as part of the Toho Masterworks series and featuring interviews with Kurosawa, script supervisor TeruyoNogami, writer Hideo Oguni, actor Takashi Shimura, and others
It's Ours Whatever They Say (1972, 39 mins): a community action film telling of the battle fought by young mothers against Islington council to establish a playground for children on a derelict site
The People People(1970, 22 mins): intended for school leavers, this COI film shows the vast range and variety of jobs available within the Civil Service, highlighting the ways in which civil servants help individuals, the community in general and Parliament
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