The Hidden Fortress (1958) 4K UHD (BFI)

[MifuneFan]

BFI will be releasing Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress on 4K UHD on August 11th! Like BFI's other Kurosawa 4K's it will be presented in Dolby Vision/HDR.

Amazon UK - HMV - Rarewaves- Zavvi

Diabolik DVD - Orbit DVD - Atomic Movie Store

The Hidden Fortress (4K UHD)
Director: Akira Kurosawa

New 4K Restoration of Kurosawa’s much-loved classic.

A story of rival clans, hidden gold and a princess in distress, The Hidden Fortress is a thrilling mix of fairy story and samurai action movie. It was Kurosawa's first film shot in the widescreen process of Tohoscope, and he exploited this to the full in the film's rich variety of landscape locations, including the slopes of Mount Fuji.

The Hidden Fortress became Kurosawa's biggest box office hit to date and won the 1959 Berlin Film Festival. Some twenty years on, the film's influence would have even greater impact on the world’s box office, when George Lucas borrowed elements of its plot for the first of his Star Wars series.

Extras

• 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
• DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
• NEW audio commentary by Japanese film expert Tony Rayns
• BFI Screen Epiphanies: Steven Berkoff (2015, 18 mins): in a wide-ranging discussion with journalist Ian Hadyn Smith, the actor, writer and theatre director reflects on The Hidden Fortress, the talents of Toshiro Mifune and his first viewing of the film in the late 1950s
• Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – The Hidden Fortress (2002, 41 mins): documentary about the making of The Hidden Fortress with contributions from director Akira Kurosawa, production designer Yoshiro Muraki, actor Toshiro Mifune and script supervisor Teruyo Nogami
• George Lucas on Akira Kurosawa and The Hidden Fortress (2001, 8 mins)
• Original trailer
• Includes original Perspecta Stereophonic Sound audio track
• First pressing only: Illustrated booklet with a new essay on the film by Kenta McGrath, How Star Wars Conquered Cinema with the Help of The Hidden Fortress by Graham Hughes, Kurosawa on The Hidden Fortress (1964) and an original review

[Cremildo]

Cue the (justified) complaints about the cover art...

No matter. This one will be a DVD-to-UHD upgrade for me.

[sheri1983]

Yes! One of my favorites, I never expected to own that much of Kurosawa catalogue on 4k.

[Babu93]

[VoltaicBlood]

[Hellboy]

Hell yes!

[Natd3125]

Unfortunately, the English subtitles on these BFI Kurosawa releases is a dealbreaker right across the board for me.

[hipsofjw]

Can't wait to retime the Criterion subs for this. Loving these releases so far outside the subs.

[bigrob]

had literally been eyeing up the Criterion BD so this is perfect

[Togusa]

I think people are overreacting regarding the subtltles, and BFI releases in general, their UHDs are great, and this one will be mine like the previous ones.

[bergman864]

BFI is killing it. My wallet will be in shambles.

[hipsofjw]

Originally Posted by Togusa

I think people are overreacting regarding the subtltles, and BFI releases in general, their UHDs are great, and this one will be mine like the previous ones.

The translation aside, I just really hate the font. Drives me crazy.

[Togusa]

Originally Posted by hipsofjw

The translation aside, I just really hate the font. Drives me crazy.

Yes, they should've done better for this.

[nicwood]

Have to get this one for the Tony Rayns commentary. Hopefully the master is in better shape than Throne of Blood.

[nicwood]

Originally Posted by Number_6

Initially I had planned on getting the BFI Throne of Blood as I had the BFI versions of Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, but what was posted in the Throne thread seemed to indicate the results were pretty mixed.

With Hidden Fortress, Samurai and Yojimbo I'd be willing to double-dip and get the Criterions as well. But Throne of Blood isn't one of my favorites.

In your opinion is there anything to recommend the BFI Throne of Blood over just waiting to see if/when Criterion releases a 4K or just settling for the Criterion Blu-ray I already have?

I’d wait for a Criterion release but God knows if / when that happens though. The BFI disc is fine, no question but as they’re at the mercy of what’s being given to them, they can only do so much. It’s not a poor disc (David M told me he did the best he could) but there’s room for improvement.

[vinvanveen]

I just preordered from rarewaves. Despite the undoubtedly awful BFI subtitles.

[MifuneFan]

First post updated with various links, both UK and US shops.

[Spud_Almighty]

Holy crap, it's not even out and the Criterion zealots already hate it. Good job guys, that's a record!

The BFI releases have all been great, will be pre-ordering this right.... NOW!!!

Now, back to the pathetic nit picking.

[Togusa]

Originally Posted by Spud_Almighty

Holy crap, it's not even out and the Criterion zealots already hate it. Good job guys, that's a record!

The BFI releases have all been great, will be pre-ordering this right.... NOW!!!

Now, back to the pathetic nit picking.

Yes, I really don't understand this hate too, I will pre order as soon as the 10% will be back on Rarewaves.

[Bumbuliuz]

Originally Posted by vinvanveen

I just preordered from rarewaves. Despite the undoubtedly awful BFI subtitles.

Same here with my order.

I can't understand why Amazon Uk, suddenly won't send me these titles? I got Seven Samurai and Yojimbo/Sanjuro from them without any issue.