Choice of Two Different Subtitle Translations
A highly unusual feature of the DVD is that it provides two different English subtitle translations of the film's Japanese dialogue. One set of subtitles is by Linda Hoaglund, the other by Donald Richie.
Both sets of subtitles imply the characters speak with a high degree of formality. Consider, for example, Hoagland's subtitles for something Asaji (the Lady Macbeth character) says to her husband: "In this degenerate age, one must kill so as not to be killed." But Richie chose to render the line in a way that lessens the formality: "This is a wicked world. To save yourself you often first must kill."
Also, both sets of subtitles sometimes use archaic language to reflect that the story is taking place hundreds of years ago. But Hoaglund does this in only a limited way, such as preferring hovel over shack and valiant over brave. Richie, on the other hand, sometimes tries to make the language feel like that of an early 16th-century English playwright. For instance, where Hoaglund has Washizu (the Macbeth character) remarking, "I have never seen such peculiar weather," Richie's subtitles read, "This weather — never have I seen the like of it."
It's debatable as to which set of subtitles is better, but on the Criterion Collection DVD, the default subtitles are Hoaglund's.
DVD Details
Below I have listed all the details for the Criterion Collection DVD containing Throne of Blood.
Release Date: May 27, 2003
Feature Film Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Full-Screen (1.33:1), Black and White
Japanese Monaural
English Subtitles by Linda Hoaglund
English Subtitles by Donald Richie
Audio Commentary by Japanese-Film Expert Michael Jeck
Original Theatrical Trailer
24-Page Booklet With Essay by Stephen Prince
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