Kurosawa: The Samurai Collection [4 Blu-ray Disc Set]
Product Description
KUROSAWA: THE SAMURAI COLLECTION (4-DISC BLU-RAY BOX SET)
Akira Kurosawa is one of the world’s greatest filmmakers. His films
have been acclaimed by critics the world over, and his celebrated
samurai epics featuring international star Toshirô Mifune have inspired
filmmakers as diverse as Steven Spielberg and Sergio Leone, and
inspired countless films, including The Magnificent Seven. This
indispensable Blu-ray collection contains digitally remastered High
Definition presentations of five of Kurosawa’s greatest films, are
accompanied with extra features including interviews with directors
George Lucas and Alex Cox, feature-length audio commentaries and
original theatrical trailers.
Contents
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SEVEN SAMURAI
When the residents of a small Japanese village seek protection they
hire seven unemployed ‘ronin’ (masterless samurai). Paid only in
handfuls of rice, the samurai remain distant from the villagers,
knowing that their assignment may prove fatal. Unanimously hailed as
one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces, Seven Samurai has
inspired countless films, including The Magnificent Seven.
Japan | 1954 | 207 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English
subtitles | Original aspect ratio 1.33:1 -
THRONE OF BLOOD
In this brilliant re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth Toshirô Mifune
plays a samurai fated to betray his friend and master in exchange for
the prestige of nobility. Kurosawa’s bloody tale is a triumph of
economic style, and the climactic battle scene is full of remarkable,
and brutal, imagery.
Japan | 1957 | 108 minutes | Japanese language with optional English
subtitles | Original aspect ratio 1.33:1 -
THE HIDDEN FORTRESS
In this classic collaboration between Kurosawa and star Mifune, a
warrior and a princess try against all odds to return to their homeland
with their fortune. Acknowledged by George Lucas as the inspiration for
Star Wars, The Hidden Fortress combines an epic tale
of struggle and honour with modern comic sensibilities to masterful
effect
Japan | 1958 | 144 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English
subtitles | Original aspect ratio 2.35:1 -
YOJIMBO
A drifting samurai for hire plays both ends against the middle with two
warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his
own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for
his own gain and to define his own sense of honour. Yojimbo
provided inspiration for A Fistful of Dollars.
Japan | 1961 | 110 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English
subtitles | Original aspect ratio 2.35:1 -
SANJURO
After the success of Yojimbo, Kurosawa teamed up once again
with Mifune one year later to make this comedy of manners. The film,
which follows a man fighting corruption in local government, offers a
twist on the classic Samurai tale by gently, but perfectly parodying
the conventions of the Japanese period action movie tradition.
Japan | 1962 | 99 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English
subtitles | Original aspect 2.35:1
Running times are to be confirmed
Special features
- All films presented in High Definition
- Original theatrical trailers
-
The Art of Akira Kurosawa (2013, 49 mins): Asian-cinema
expert Tony Rayns discusses Kurosawa’s career and influence - Interview with filmmaker George Lucas (2001, 8 mins)
- Interview with filmmaker Alex Cox (2003, 9 mins)
- Introduction to Sanjuro by Alex Cox (2003, 5 mins)
- Full-length audio commentary on Throne of Blood by
Japanese-film expert Michael Jeck - Full-length audio commentary on Yojimbo by film critic
Philip Kemp
