If this was Criterion's idea of a April Fools Day joke, it was a really bad one IMO.

pretty ****ing funny, anyway i really hope they release this and boy if they aren't messing, well i guess .................................................... that means no more criterion for me (for a while)

I knew this had to be a joke. My most anticipated Criterion, I guess I'll keep waiting.

So, how many people panic-sold their Wellspring editions over the last 24 hours? I know I consdered it.

That's pretty stupid, especially since the news was first put up on the night of the 31st. Screw you, Criterion.

Someone posited the theory that it wasn't 'really' a joke, but that Wellspring objected to the early announcement (since their version i still in print) so Criterion took it down. Sounds plausible, but I don't know.

Has Criterion really pulled any April Fool's jokes before?

For those who follow the video game forum, it was announced in the April EGM that Nintendo would include a graphically updated "mature" version of Zelda: Windwaker for people who pre-ordered the new Zelda game. - For those who don't know, this has been all but proven to be their April Fool's joke...

The magazine had a history of April Fool's jokes, and that was something that was kind of off the wall...

Since Criterion has released many Kurosawa films in the past, it seems very plausible that they would be trying to acquire the rights to Ran, as well.

That's why I would find it in bad taste if this was an April Fools prank since they just released a wonderful version of Kurosawa's Kagemusha.

I sincerely hope what Wendersfan indicated is the reason why the announcement is no longer on their website and that the possible release of this movie comes to fruition.

Criterion would most likely get in legal trouble if they announced a title they didn't have the rights to. So I doubt it was a April fools joke.

OK, This really sucks. I was really looking forward to this title. I guess My R2 WB disc will have to suffice until they make a "real" announcement.

Props to Criterion for having a sense of humor.

I just can't believe that they would be that stupid...really. If thats the title they chose to joke about....then they really would be idiots. I don't even know hoodrats that are that ignorant.

I don't find it so much in bad taste, but utterly not funny. I don't see any possible source of humor or pranksterism to draw on in this.

Criterion: We are announcing the coming release of Kurosawa'a Ran.
Response: Oh, that's nice.

Criterion: No, we're not really! April Fools!
Response: What? Uhm...OK. Ha-ha, I guess.

Actually if you read the responses, they were a little more than just "Oh that's nice"

The announcement is back up on Criterion's home page...so it seems it was a joke and then not a joke..

Life goes on.

so it is.... sneaky bastards.

Maybe they put it up on the 1st and then realized what day it was so they took it down so that people wouldn't think it was an April Fools Day joke? And now that it's over they're put it back up?

I take it back. Criterion, you no longer have any obligation to do anything to yourselves other than patting yourselves on the back.

It is indeed still there, so let me officially say hell ya.

good news...glad they don't have a sense of humor

I can only imagine what kind of freaky orgasm-inducing cover they'll come up with...

Okay, this is getting a little strange. OTOH, you just gotta love Lady Kaede's psychotic laugh.

What was wrong with this dvd release?



It's the one I bought.

Very poor, shimmering, artifact-ridden transfer on "Ran", no anamorphic enhancement on the documentary (which was shot 1.78:1), and a less than ideal transfer on "Madadayo".

All that, plus it cost $100.