RE: [Sumo Movies] Takanohana Special on DVD?

["Richard Pardoe" <rpardoe@pacbell.net>]

TP>I guess I got confused because I know that this DVD was "only"
TP>a 57 mn show, that is definitely too short for this great yokozuna.

KC>This program sounds different from the 110 minute "Thank you
KC>Takanohana for fifteen years of sumo" that came across on TV Japan
KC>last week. It was aired on the 4th of February 2003 in Japan.

OK, probably beating a dead horse by now, but I just watched (via
fast-forward) the "57-min" DVD that I mentioned to Thierry.  I also
happend to watch the last 20 minutes of the 110-min NHK special as it
was aired on TV Japan.  As a result, I think I can explain the missing
50 minutes (or at least part of them).

The NHK special consisted of film highlights interspersed with a
studio section where Takanohana was asked for comments and thoughts
about the film highlights.  Memory is fading a bit on me now, but I
believe Akebono was also in the studio.  Anyway, these studio segments
are not on the DVD.  As I seem to recall the studio being about half
the abbreviated portion of the NHK/TV Japan special, I can easily see
their removal cutting a 100-min show down to 57-min.

It also explains why the DVD could be produced and sold so quickly
after the NHK special.  In other words, I can see that NHK had
prepared a memorial highlight reel.  I can even guess that they had
the rough bits and pieces together already in anticipation of
Takanohana's eventual retirement.  After all, most news agencies do
prepare bios of famous people in case they should die suddenly or
experience some other notable event.  Having this film finished early,
also explains why NHK/VAP could go so quickly from TV show to DVD
production.  The DVD was being produced as the NHK special was aired.

Then for the NHK special, they show this film, but add additional time
for Takanohana to comment.  The DVD has 12 chapters.  Discarding the
opening and closing, we have 10 chapters of "content".  So assume each
is about 5 minutes in length.  You air a section for 5 minutes then
have the announcer talk to Takanohana / Akebono for 4-5 minutes and so
on.  Not having seen all of the NHK special as it was aired, can
anyone else comment that about half the time was in the studio talking
to Takanohana?

Is the DVD still worth picking up?  I think so as it is a nice
collection of highlights of Takanohana's career.  Could it have been
better?  Most certainly.  I would have like a DVD like the Number
Video of Wakanohana's Best 50 Bouts:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005HNTQ/

TP>Going back to sumo DVD, does somebody watch this following "takai
TP>sugiru" sumo DVD set (5 DVD but 9800 JPY each !!) ?

I have this, but never watched it.  For a cheaper alternative, I
recommend "20th Century Notable Matches":

http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005HPLA
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005HRDG

Lots of bouts / highlights of different eras.  And much more
affordable at only 3800Y each.

Rich Pardoe