High and Low 4K UHD (1963) (Criterion Collection)

[MifuneFan]

Kurosawa's High and Low coming to 4K from Criterion in September!

https://www.criterion.com/films/543-high-and-low

4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration, with 4.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
• Audio commentary featuring Akira Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
• Documentary on the making of High and Low, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
• Interviews with actors Toshiro Mifune and Tsutomu Yamazaki
• Trailers and teaser
• PLUS: An essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien and an on-set account by Japanese-film scholar Donald Richie

Cover by Lucien S. Y. Yang

[BluProofie]

Finally!

[Monterey Jack]

One good thing to come out of the remake.

[cgpublic]

I'll be upgrading my Criterion DVD, which was one of the first Criterion titles added to my then nascent collection.

[Doctor Jack]

I don’t know if it’s an odd opinion, but I think this is Kurosawa’s finest film. It’s absolutely incredible. I will buy this day one.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I don’t know if it’s an odd opinion, but I think this is Kurosawa’s finest film. It’s absolutely incredible. I will buy this day one.

Sometimes I feel Kurosawa's best is the last one I just watched. He just has so many truly excellent films. I love both his period stuff, and his modern day titles like this and The Bad Sleep Well. High and Low always feels like two films in one for me because of the tone-shift in the second half. Really great film, and very accessible too for anyone not as familiar with Kurosawa.

[spf781]

Happiness is seeing a new Kurosawa 4K release to add to the collection.

[trip66]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I don’t know if it’s an odd opinion, but I think this is Kurosawa’s finest film. It’s absolutely incredible. I will buy this day one.

I've read people saying this is one of his weaker films, but its always been my personal favorite of his.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I don’t know if it’s an odd opinion, but I think this is Kurosawa’s finest film. It’s absolutely incredible. I will buy this day one.

I'd have to agree!

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by trip66

I've read people saying this is one of his weaker films, but its always been my personal favorite of his.

Whoever says that is objectively wrong.

[VanHiscers]

I wonder if BFI will soon release theirs with Dolby Vision considering they just released the their blu-ray version in January?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by VanHiscers

I wonder if BFI will soon release theirs with Dolby Vision considering they just released the their blu-ray version in January?

They weighed the decision then of putting out a 4K, and they didn't feel it was worth it, and just went with a Blu-ray, so I don't see them doing a 4K release now.

[Tuc0]

I almost ordered the BFI not five hours ago. Happy to get this gem in 4K.

Hopefully Kagemusha and Red Beard are coming too.

[James Luckard]

Interesting that the BFI only did a BD of this same restoration (which I already bought, of course, haha, oh well). If we have the remake to thank for an American UHD, I'm thrilled.

[PowellPressburger]

Since Criterion note it as being a "New 4K digital restoration"

Does this mean it isn't from a 4K scan of the negative?
or do they use that terminology sometimes to confuse.

I've seen on the International thread that the Japanese 4K looks great, so I'd assume this will be from the same transfer.

[Dailyan]

In the BFI’s case, it’s possible that “High and Low”, historically, wasn’t a popular sell on home video in the UK compared to his samurai films.

[Cremildo]

Criterion's Blu from 2011 will look ancient next to this. An easy upgrade.

[lilmanjs]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Since Criterion note it as being a "New 4K digital restoration"

Does this mean it isn't from a 4K scan of the negative?
or do they use that terminology sometimes to confuse.

I've seen on the International thread that the Japanese 4K looks great, so I'd assume this will be from the same transfer.

It is from film negatives of some sort snd digitally restored to clean it up and such. That's what it means. Somebody who knows more can fill you in if you want specific details.

[dj_intrepid]

Been anxiously awaiting this one. The clip on Criterion looks outstanding.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I don’t know if it’s an odd opinion, but I think this is Kurosawa’s finest film. It’s absolutely incredible. I will buy this day one.

Definitely top 3. I go back and forth with Seven Samurai and this as being my favorite.

Now we just need Bad Sleep Well, Stray Dog, Red Beard (and obviously others) to get out of DVD hell.