Product Description
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KUROSAWA: THE SAMURAI COLLECTION (4-DISC BLU-RAY BOX SET)
Akira Kurosawa is one of the world's greatest filmmakers. His
films have been accled 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
* 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 al.
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 ed 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
Review
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'The pictorial shakespeare of our time' --Steven Spielberg
'His influence on filmmakers throughout the entire world is so
profound' --Martin Scorsese
'I have learned more from him than from almost any other fimmaker
on the face of the earth' --Steven Spielberg
'His influence on filmmakers throughout the entire world is so
profound' --Martin Scorsese
'I have learned more from him than from almost any other fimmaker
on the face of the earth' --Steven Spielberg