Source: The Criterion Collection press release
Special Thanks to Courtney Ott

Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD.

The Criterion Collection has announced that Akira Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI (七人の侍, Shichinin no Samurai,1954), one of the most thrilling warrior epics of all time, will be released November 12th in a 3-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray set. The previously released two disc Blu-ray and three disc DVD editions are also available for purchase.

SEVEN SAMURAI tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire the eponymous warriors to protect them from invading bandits. This three-hour-plus ride from Akira Kurosawa—featuring legendary actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura—seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions and relentless action, into a rich, evocative, and unforgettable tale of courage and hope.

1954 • 207 minutes • Black & White • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 1.37:1 aspect ratio 

 

4K UHD + BLU-RAY COMBO EDITION

SRP: $59.95

PREBOOK: 10/8/24

STREET: 11/12/24

CAT. NO.: CC3617UHDBD

ISBN: 979-8-88607-209-9

UPC: 7-15515-30521-1

 

4K + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration, with the original uncompressed monaural soundtrack and an optional 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack

• One 4K UHD disc of the film (in the aspect ratio of 1.37:1) and two Blu-rays with the film (in the aspect ratio of 1.33:1) and special features

• Two audio commentaries, one featuring film scholars David Desser, Joan Mellen, Stephen Prince, Tony Rayns, and Donald Richie, and the other Japanese-film expert Michael Jeck

• Making-of documentary, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create

• My Life in Cinema (1993), a two-hour conversation between director Akira Kurosawa and filmmaker Nagisa Oshima

• "Seven Samurai”: Origins and Influences, a documentary looking at the samurai traditions and films that helped shape Kurosawa’s masterpiece
Trailers and teaser

• Gallery of rare posters, behind-the-scenes photos, and production stills

• PLUS: Essays by Kenneth Turan, Peter Cowie, Philip Kemp, Peggy Chiao, Alain Silver, Stuart Galbraith IV, Arthur Penn, and Sidney Lumet, and an interview with actor Toshiro Mifune from 1993

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