Akira Kurosawa - Collection UHD 4K UHD + Blu-Ray

Collecting 8 of Akira Kurosawa?s Masterpieces

Experience eight essential works from Akira Kurosawa on Blu-ray: IKIRU, SEVEN SAMURAI, THRONE OF BLOOD, THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, YOJIMBO, SANJURO, HIGH AND LOW and RED BEARD. Spanning epic samurai cinema, Shakespearean tragedy, modern crime and deeply human drama, these films represent the full creative range of a master director at the height of his powers. Each film stands as a cornerstone of world cinema and a vital chapter in Kurosawa's extraordinary legacy. The collection also includes seven episodes of Toho Masterworks: It Is Wonderful to Create, offering insight into the making of these enduring classics.

IKIRU (1952)
Kanji Watanabe is a mid-level Tokyo bureaucrat who has worked for thirty uneventful years. When he's diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, he is forced to confront the emptiness of his life. Initially despondent, he resolves to find meaning before he dies and embarks on a mission to build a children's playground in a blighted urban area, overcoming red tape and indifference.
Tech Specs: 1.33:1 / 1080p High Definition / Japanese Monaural / English Subtitles / 203 min / Japan

SEVEN SAMURAI (1954)
Seven Samurai tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire the eponymous warriors to protect them from invading bandits. This blockbuster journey from master director Akira Kurosawa - featuring legendary actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura - seamlessly weaves delicate human emotions and relentless actions into a rich, entertaining and unforgettable tale of courage and home.
Tech Specs: 1.33:1 / 1080p High Definition / Japanese 5.1, Japanese Monaural / English Subtitles / 207 min / Japan

THRONE OF BLOOD (1957)
In feudal Japan, the warlord Washizu is prophesied by a spirit to become ruler of Spider's Web Castle. Encouraged by his ruthless wife Asaji, he murders his lord and seizes power but his ambition leads him into a terrifying spiral of paranoia, betrayal, and supernatural dread. Kurosawa's film is a haunting reimagining of Shakespeare's Macbeth, infused with Noh-theatre influences and ark, atmospheric visuals.
Tech Specs: 1.33:1 / 1080p High Definition / Japanese Monaural / English Subtitles / 110 min / Japan

THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (1958)
During a civil war, two greedy and bumbling peasants, Tahei and Matashichi, stumble into a larger adventure when they come into contact with Princess Yuki and General Rokurta Makanbe. The priestess and general are secretly carrying their clan's gold as they try to flee through enemy territory. The peasants' comic greed and cowardice contrast with the nobility and courage of their protectors, and together they embark on a dangerous, action-packed journey across hostile lands. Filled with beautiful cinematography, generous amounts of comedy and some of the finest action sequences ever filmed - The Hidden Fortress was the first of Kurosawa's films to be shot in 'widescreen' and is a must for all fans of great filmmaking.
Tech Specs: 2.35:1 / 1080p High Definition / Japanese Stereo, Japanese 3.0 / English Subtitles / 126 min / Japan

YOJIMBO (1961)
Legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mufune returns for his 9th collaboration with master director Akira Kurosawa in Yojimbo, a film that has inspired countless filmmakers. The plot of this film was used as inspiration by the great 'Spaghetti Western' director Sergio Leone and remade as the classic "A Fistful of Dollars" in 1964.
A masterless samurai (ronin) arrives in a small town run by two rival crime bosses. He takes the name "Sanjuro" and deliberately plays both sides, pitting on gang against the other. Using cunning, swordsmanship, and manipulation, he orchestrates a violent gang war while profiting from both factions.
Tech Specs: 2.35:1 / 1080p High Definition / Japanese Monaural, Japanese 3.0 / English Subtitles / 110 min / Japan

SANJURO (1962)
A cynical, wandering samurai named Sanjuro reluctantly helps a group of young, idealistic samurai who are frustrated with corruption