Yojimbo / Sanjuro: Two Samurai Films by Akira Kurosawa (Criterion Collection) (4K + Blu ray) [USA]

[C.C. 95]

Release Date: January 7, 2025
Prices and Links:
Criterion- $ 63.96 (4K+Blu ray) , $55.96 (Blu ray only)

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Writers: Akira Kurosawa, Ryûzô Kikushima, Hideo Oguni
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Takashi Shimura, Hiroshi Tachikawa, Kamatari Fujiwara

Thanks to perhaps the most indelible character in Akira Kurosawa’s oeuvre, Yojimbo surpassed even Seven Samurai in popularity when it was released. The masterless samurai Sanjuro, who slyly manipulates two warring clans to his own advantage in a small, dusty village, was so entertainingly embodied by the brilliant Toshiro Mifune that it was only a matter of time before he returned in a sequel. Made just one year later, Sanjuromatches Yojimbo’s storytelling dexterity yet adds a layer of world-weary pragmatism that brings the two films to a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• 4K digital restorations, presented in the aspect ratio of 2.39:1, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks (4K UHD); restored high-definition digital transfers, presented in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks (Blu-ray)
• In the 4K UHD edition: Two 4K UHD discs of the films and two Blu-rays with the films and special features
• Optional DTS-HD Master Audio Perspecta 3.0 soundtracks, preserving the original simulated stereo effects
• Audio commentaries by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
• Documentaries on the making of Yojimbo and Sanjuro, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
• Teasers and trailers
• Stills galleries of behind-the-scenes photos
• PLUS: Essays by film writers Alexander Sesonske and Michael Sragow and comments from Kurosawa and members of his casts and crews

YOJIMBO TRAILER:


SANJURO TRAILER

 

[TheWildEye]

Release Date: January 7, 2025
Prices and Links:
Criterion- $ 63.96 (4K+Blu ray) , $55.96 (Blu ray only)
View attachment 587750
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Writers: Akira Kurosawa, Ryûzô Kikushima, Hideo Oguni
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Takashi Shimura, Hiroshi Tachikawa, Kamatari Fujiwara

View attachment 587751

Thanks to perhaps the most indelible character in Akira Kurosawa’s oeuvre, Yojimbo surpassed even Seven Samurai in popularity when it was released. The masterless samurai Sanjuro, who slyly manipulates two warring clans to his own advantage in a small, dusty village, was so entertainingly embodied by the brilliant Toshiro Mifune that it was only a matter of time before he returned in a sequel. Made just one year later, Sanjuromatches Yojimbo’s storytelling dexterity yet adds a layer of world-weary pragmatism that brings the two films to a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion.

View attachment 587752
View attachment 587754SPECIAL FEATURES

• 4K digital restorations, presented in the aspect ratio of 2.39:1, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks (4K UHD); restored high-definition digital transfers, presented in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks (Blu-ray)
• In the 4K UHD edition: Two 4K UHD discs of the films and two Blu-rays with the films and special features
• Optional DTS-HD Master Audio Perspecta 3.0 soundtracks, preserving the original simulated stereo effects
• Audio commentaries by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
• Documentaries on the making of Yojimbo and Sanjuro, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
• Teasers and trailers
• Stills galleries of behind-the-scenes photos
• PLUS: Essays by film writers Alexander Sesonske and Michael Sragow and comments from Kurosawa and members of his casts and crews

YOJIMBO TRAILER:


SANJURO TRAILER

UK next please Criterion or get BFI to license the 4ks or something, just get them over here so I don't have to import these masterpieces.

I imported the Dvds back in the day.
I'll never forget the ending to Sanjuro. The tension of the duel. Wow.
Great pair. Watch back to back. Brilliant stuff

 

[TheWildEye]

UK next please Criterion or get BFI to license the 4ks or something, just get them over here so I don't have to import these masterpieces.

I imported the Dvds back in the day.
I'll never forget the ending to Sanjuro. The tension of the duel. Wow.
Great pair. Watch back to back. Brilliant stuff

BFI picked them up for the UK in March '25

 

[C.C. 95]

BFI picked them up for the UK in March '25

I had to go BFI on this one. The added HDR/DV and the contrast looks way better than Criterion.

 

[TheWildEye]

I had to go BFI on this one. The added HDR/DV and the contrast looks way better than Criterion.

I'm with you too.
BFI release of Seven Samurai looks incredible with DV HDR.
Hopefully the BFI versions of these two will as well.

 

[C.C. 95]

I'm with you too.
BFI release of Seven Samurai looks incredible with DV HDR.
Hopefully the BFI versions of these two will as well.

Sorry- I meant to say I went BFI on SEVEN SAMURAI! Yes- I will be going with BFI for these too in four months.
Contrast is so very important in B&W films- and the greyish blacks of the Criterion make things a a bit soupy.
I'm guessing they were trying to achieve more shadow detail and avoiding crush- but blacks need to be black in B&W.