Originally Posted by The Digital Bits

Okay folks... here's a title that Doogan and I have been hoping to see arrive on DVD for more than a decade now! Our friends over at Criterion have just announced that they're going to be releasing AK 100: 25 Films by Akira Kurosawa on DVD on 12/8 (SRP $399, but it's available for pre-order on Amazon for just $299). This extraordinary set will come enclosed in a linen-bound box and will include an illustrated companion book. Released on the 100th anniversary of the legendary Japanese director's birth, the set will include 25 of his films on 25 DVDs - the most complete such set ever released in the U.S. - 4 of which have never been available on the DVD format in this country. Included will be:

The Bad Sleep Well (1960), Dodes'ka-den (1970), Drunken Angel (1948), The Hidden Fortress (1958), High and Low (1963), I Live in Fear (1955), The Idiot (1951), Ikiru (1952), Kagemusha (1980), The Lower Depths (1957), Madadayo (1993), The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1945 - new to DVD), The Most Beautiful (1944 - new to DVD), No Regrets for Our Youth (1946), One Wonderful Sunday (1947), Rashomon (1951), Red Beard (1965), Sanjuro (1962), Sanshiro Sugata (1943 - new to DVD), Sanshiro Sugata, Part II (1944 - new to DVD), Scandal (1950), Seven Samurai (1954), Stray Dog (1949), Throne of Blood (1957) and Yojimbo (1961)

Each of these films is presented with a restored digital transfer, with audio in the original Japanese and English subtitles. The companion book features an introduction and notes on each of the films by Stephen Prince (The Warrior's Camera: The Cinema of Akira Kurosawa) and a remembrance by Donald Richie (The Films of Akira Kurosawa). Here's what this magnificent box will look like (note that the packaging isn't final, so what you see is subject to change)...

Originally Posted by droidguy1119 (Post 9715401)

Holy crap! The only minor detraction is that you lose the other two Seven Samurai discs (is that all you lose?), but I imagine it will come out on Blu eventually, so it's not that disappointing.

Originally Posted by droidguy1119 (Post 9715401)

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Holy crap! The only minor detraction is that you lose the other two Seven Samurai discs (is that all you lose?), but I imagine it will come out on Blu eventually, so it's not that disappointing.

Originally Posted by slop101 (Post 9715535)

No it looks like it'll have little or none of the extras, as it's only 25 discs, and a bunch of AK sets from Criterion are 2 discs sets. They don't even mention any extras apart from the book, so there probably won't be any, which makes sense, since 25 Criterions would cost closer to $600 rather than $400. And I doubt it will ever come on Blu-ray.

I wonder if they'll sell the book separately like they did for Essential Art House.

Originally Posted by MTRodaba2468 (Post 9715948)

While I don't have many Kurosawa movies in my collection (as of right now, I just have Ran and Rashomon), I'll probably just get the individual releases (what can I say, I'm a completist when it comes to disc content), and hope the four unreleased ones get separate releases soon (which I think would be pretty likely, even if they're just released under the EAH banner; I can't imagine too many people double dipping to get this package, even if they are Criterion aficionados).

Originally Posted by bluetoast (Post 9715929)

I was really excited about this, and the packaging is awesome. But the cutting down of extras is disappointing.

Originally Posted by Groucho (Post 9715985)

I will buy this for sure if they come out with a Blu edition.

Originally Posted by droidguy1119 (Post 9716191)

I don't think we know for sure all the extras are missing. It's just being presumed since it wasn't mentioned.

Originally Posted by reefa (Post 9716658)

I asked if they're cutting extras on their Facebook page (no, I'm not a 15 year old girl), and their response:

"There are no supplements on the discs in the Kurosawa box. If you're one who values our special features, you may want to stick to the full Criterion special editions and supplement with the Postwar Kurosawa Eclipse set, but if you just want to immerse yourself in the life's work of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, this box is going to be a great way to do it: a gorgeous object and the most cost-effective to fill out your Kurosawa library."

Originally Posted by droidguy1119 (Post 9716191)

I don't think we know for sure all the extras are missing. It's just being presumed since it wasn't mentioned.

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC (Post 9716247)

my first kneejerk reaction to this is that I want it. Honestly though...I'd only want it if the features were on there. And as it is...I already own all most of the CC Kurosawa flicks. So..sadly it'd be a waste of cash.

Originally Posted by bluetoast (Post 9717648)

that makes me wonder whether the unreleased movies will a.) be distributed via the Eclipse line down the road or under Criterion and depending on that b.) have decent transfers