Seven Samurai (1954)

[JTStarkiller]

I can't imagine they do, since their prices are normally ridiculous, as they always have been. Would be very happy if they do though.

[Reddwarf6662]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The truth is that the film does look and sound amazing. And anyone who would argue that the presentation does not deserve praise, most certainly isn't familiar with the film's history, as well as the different releases it has seen during the years.

Order with confidence!

Pro-B

I would argue with Criterion's transfer on this release. I love Criterion, but if Seven Samurai is going to be your flagship title for your collection then you need to do better than a high-definition transfer created from a 2K resolution on a Spirit Datacine from the dupe. Warner has put their flagship titles through an 8K resolution process. The Wizard of Oz just had a 4K transfer done a few years back that looked amazing and people said it would never look better, but Warner sent it through the 8K process the last transfer holds nothing on this one. The details you could see was amazing like the rivet in the middle of the Tin Man's head. So the question is how would the Seven Samurai look through the 8K resolution process? We don't know because they didn't send it through this process. So we suffer on video quality. So I'm slightly disappointed with this release of my favorite film on Blu Ray and expected more from Criterion who people praise for putting the best possible transfers out that they possibly could because they did not in this case.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Reddwarf6662

I would argue with Criterion's transfer on this release. I love Criterion, but if Seven Samurai is going to be your flagship title for your collection then you need to do better than a high-definition transfer created from a 2K resolution on a Spirit Datacine from the dupe. Warner has put their flagship titles through an 8K resolution process. The Wizard of Oz just had a 4K transfer done a few years back that looked amazing and people said it would never look better, but Warner sent it through the 8K process the last transfer holds nothing on this one. The details you could see was amazing like the rivet in the middle of the Tin Man's head. So the question is how would the Seven Samurai look through the 8K resolution process? We don't know because they didn't send it through this process. So we suffer on video quality. So I'm slightly disappointed with this release of my favorite film on Blu Ray and expected more from Criterion who people praise for putting the best possible transfers out that they possibly could because they did not in this case.

I gather from your post that you are not familiar with the histories of these two films - which is why your observation is flawed.

Here's some facts for you to consider:

1. The original negative for Seven Samurai is no longer available.
2. The original negatives for Wizard of Oz are available and were maintained in terrific condition - which is the reason why they were scanned by Warner Brothers at 8K.

Thanks.

Pro-B

[OrlandoEastwood]

Yeah, Toho didn't handle their stuff properly back in the day. Which is why King Kong Vs Godzilla is in damaged condition and the source they have from it is beat to s**t compared to the older Godzilla films.

[Reddwarf6662]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

I gather from your post that you are not familiar with the histories of these two films - which is why your observation is flawed.

Here's some facts for you to consider:

1. The original negative for Seven Samurai is no longer available.
2. The original negatives for Wizard of Oz are available and were maintained in terrific condition - which is the reason why they were scanned by Warner Brothers at 8K.

Thanks.

Pro-B

I realize the original negative is no longer available, but the duplicate negative created from the original fine-grain master positive using wetgate processing is what they used when the high-definition digital transfer was then created in 2K resolution on a Spirit Datacine from the dupe. Instead of the 2K they could of sent it through the 8K resolution thus we did not get the best.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Reddwarf6662

I realize the original negative is no longer available, but the duplicate negative created from the original fine-grain master positive using wetgate processing is what they used when the high-definition digital transfer was then created in 2K resolution on a Spirit Datacine from the dupe. Instead of the 2K they could of sent it through the 8K resolution thus we did not get the best.

Again, you are not familiar with the film's troubled history, and I really don't want to keep pointing out why an 8K scan would have been very problematic. However, anyone who does, and operates a private business such as Criterion, would have voted against sending the available elements through an 8K scan.

One last fact for you to consider: Toho's very own release does not come even remotely close to what Criterion accomplished with their Blu-ray release.



Pro-B

[42041]

Originally Posted by Reddwarf6662

I realize the original negative is no longer available, but the duplicate negative created from the original fine-grain master positive using wetgate processing is what they used when the high-definition digital transfer was then created in 2K resolution on a Spirit Datacine from the dupe. Instead of the 2K they could of sent it through the 8K resolution thus we did not get the best.

For a piece of film 2+ generations removed from the OCN, 8K is a waste of time and money. To accurately sample an analog signal, you need to sample at twice your bandwidth, so 8K might be desirable for fancy new film stocks, but it's complete overkill for a dupe negative 2+ generations removed from 50s B&W negative. The image on the film would be so soft that increasing the resolution will provide no visual benefit.

[zahinn]

Watched it two days ago for the first time ever. Great movie! I was surprised to see just many films were affected by Seven Samurai; Bugs Life for example. :O


I thought for an old movie, it looked great on Blu-ray. There were a few lines here and there but overall, it looked good.

[sfmarine]

I think it is finally time for me to pick this one up. I never saw it before, but haven't heard a single negative review on it. How does it compare with Sanjuro? That's another one I didn't see yet.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

I think it is finally time for me to pick this one up. I never saw it before, but haven't heard a single negative review on it. How does it compare with Sanjuro? That's another one I didn't see yet.

Yojimbo and Sanjuro were both released after Seven Samurai, with Sanjuro being the last of them and the weakest, IMO. (This may have to do with Kurosawa's initial decision to not make the film, but being pressured heavily by the studio) Seven Samurai is, imo, the best of them. It has a more epic scale than either of those two, and the supporting characters have more screen time to chew alongside Mifune. They are all must haves for any fans of samurai cinema. Now we just have to wait for Criterion to release the Mifune starring Samurai Trilogy or perhaps Hidden Fortress.

[zahinn]

I didn't see Yojimbo/Sanjuro yet because I thought they were sequels to SS. I just found out a week ago that, Seven Samurai is stand-alone -_-

[Dubstar]

now's where Rashomon that WAS restored at 4K?

[mikejet]

I have yet to open my copy

I might actually just buy one more so I have one opened and one still sealed.

[P@t_Mtl]

Just received my copy, 3 weeks later better later then never. Truly love the booklet that come's with it. I have yet to check but I suspect it probably the same one that was in my DVD set. No time to sit and watch it now but this weekend I am doing nothing, already warn my wife Beside it's going to be a big weekend for her as well, she as yet to seen Seven Samurai. I love teasing her about it, a Asian girl and never seen Seven Samurai I might be sleeping on the sofa soon In any case I told her she is very lucky to get the chance on seeing this for the first time on Blu-ray.

[planetkori]

Can't wait to pick this one up too!

[ack_bak]

My copy arrived today from B&N. Cannot wait to watch it.

[ORFF]

What is the cheapest anyone has picked this title up for?

[Josef Cross]

When the hell is this going to get a region free or region B release as i understand is is A locked.

I am collecting the top 100 IMDb and Seven Samurai is on my wish list, just 30 titles to buy, most of these unreleased as yet, this one included.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Josef Cross

When the hell is this going to get a region free or region B release as i understand is is A locked.

I am collecting the top 100 IMDb and Seven Samurai is on my wish list, just 30 titles to buy, most of these unreleased as yet, this one included.

Isn't that a bit of an unobtainable goal, since the IMDB top 250 is constantly changing, including those within the top 100?

Also, region free players are coming down in price. I was able to get one for 75 bucks.

[lim.davidd]

A definite must have in anyone's blu-ray collection!