The Life of Buddha

A reedited feature length compilation of the two parts of Ôfujis The Great Sage Shakyamuni Buddha the culmination of Noburô Ôfujis monochrome silhouette films After a portentous dream about a white elephant the ancient Hindu princess Maya gives birth to a prince Reared in seclusion from the troubles of the world Prince Siddhartha is troubled by sights of poverty and deprivation when he is 12 years old He is married to a beautiful wife but he is unable to bear the thought of others suffering and leaves the palace in search of an answer While sitting beneath a tree he achieves enlightenment Planned as a ninereel life of Buddha but exhibited in Cannes as Part One with only 6 reels completed this late work by Noburô Ôfuji was not completed until after his death It was only in 1961 that it was finally exhibited as a full 72minute film comprising 10 reels