lilvenom

or are they new transfers? more to the point, I'm looking into getting the Hidden Fortress and Rashomon DVDs but I want to know if the transfers are the same on both the Criterion and Essential Art House discs.

I know that the Essential Art House discs do not have the extras that the Criterions do, right?

dx23

They are movie only releases. As for Hidden Fortress and Rashomon, those are the same transfers as the more elaborate Criterion releases.

toddly6666

Doesn't the Essential Art House dvd version of Black Orpheus lose the English dubbing soundtrack (not a big loss though) as was on the Criterion edition?

vili

You may or may not be interested to hear that Rashomon was digitally remastered last year, and that the new print is currently being screened around the world at different festivals. Although there has been no official announcement yet, I would be quite surprised if the restored print wasn't released on DVD at some point before the centenary of Kurosawa's birth next year.

Having said that, there is nothing really wrong about Criterion's current print, although it doesn't really compare with the work that they have done recently with for instance Seven Samurai or High and Low.

Solid Snake

I can't wait for Seven Samurai on Blu...it's going to happen and we're all going to bite..well the ones that really want to.

vili

Criterion's Kagemusha is coming out later this year on Blu-ray (August 18, to be precise), and it should be the first high definition English friendly Blu-ray Kurosawa. The French already put out Ran a few years ago, but on HD-DVD, and there have been a few Japanese high definition releases as well, but with no English subtitles.

Actually, Blu-ray Ran was supposed to come out earlier this year, but due to contractual reasons, Criterion couldn't release it. It's such a shame, really.

Anyway, I suppose that eventually Criterion will, little by little, "update" their Kurosawa catalogue from DVD to Blu-ray.

NoirFan

Optimum will be releasing a region B Blu-ray of Ran on September 28th.

hindolio

this was just a temporary set-back no?

vili

NoirFan -- Thanks for the info about Optimum's Ran, I didn't know that!

Hindolio -- I have no insider information on whether Criterion's Blu-ray Ran is still coming at some point, but at the moment not only is the Blu-ray release unsure, but also their DVD version is marked as "out of print", suggesting that they are indeed having some trouble with the rights.

Kevy

I got the art house essential version of Rashomon as part of the B&N sale for like around $7 and some change after discounts etc. My first ever art house essential line purchase. If the print is the same as the regular criterion. Is there anything that the other version offers or has that maybe justifies the price difference? Thanks in advance for any info/insights. Much appreciated.

vili

As far as I know, the Essential Art House disc has only the movie and no extras. Am I right?

The full Criterion DVD has special features including a trailer and a pretty good commentary by Donald Richie. The booklet has some essays, a relevant excerpt from Kurosawa's autobiography, and the two Ryunosuke Akutagawa short stories that the film was based on. It's not much, but it's a difference.

hindolio

^ i believe you are correct. everything you said but you forgot one thing - the pretty packaging

moviehead21

I bought the Knife in the Water Criterion and was pretty pissed off knowing I spent double the price on it where I could of just got the Essential Art House DVD of it since it also came out on that

Really wanna buy the Ashes and Diamonds essential art house DVD, anyone here have it, is it good?

PatrickMcCart

Grand Illusion is the same, Beauty and the Beast uses the special edition remaster (with the original "chalkboard" titles).

Kevy

All this info much appreciated. The Rashomon was my first art house essential. I'm kicking around Ikiru being the next one.

Lutz

Is Variety Lights a new transfer? This seems to be indicated but I can't find any reviews or comparison.

Solid Snake

Isn't Rashomon getting a new edition soon? I've been holding on that one too long.

vili

I haven't heard anything definite about it, but considering that Criterion have been re-releasing their early Kurosawa editions with better transfers and extras, I'm fairly sure that we'll see a Rashomon re-release at some point.

Whether it's next year (Kurosawa's centenary) or later is another question.

nitin77

I wonder if the upcoming The 39 steps will be the same transfer, thats a little weak looking these days.

Cheato

How about Lord of the Flies?
The original is non-anamorphic, 1.33:1, right?
I think I read the OAR is 1.66:1.