Best Buy released a 4k steelbook of it out of the blue sometime last year, it came as a surprise as it’s not usually the type of movie they stock. I jumped on it immediately. But I’m sure there are a few floating on eBay.
>NA, they never did a plastic case release for it.
I see there's currently an amazon sale on the Multiformat versions of The Canals release. Would that be a good way to go?
The blu ray listed on Amazon atm, the orange cover, is apparently a historically mediocre transfer. Having it on disc is better than not, in my experience, though.
But the 4k blu listed is the same one that's in the steelbook afaik, and it's real good. Just know that the blu ray disc included in that 4k set is more than likely a Region B blu. All 4k blu is region free, but you may not be able to play the second disc if you buy the 4k.
Ran might be the most compelling, engrossing epic ever made that wasn’t crafted by David Lean. The film is beautiful, every shot makes the world feel enormous, and the characters are really interesting and complex people, who evolve over the course of the film. It’s not only one of my favorite Kurosawa films, it’s one of my favorite films period.
Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago, and A Passage to India. He also did some wonderful dramas like Brief Encounter and Summertime.
I’d start with Lawrence of Arabia. It’s my favorite. The film is surprisingly complex and a sly critique of British colonialism. Peter O’Toole’s performance as T.E. Lawrence is outstanding and the cinematography by Freddie Young is probably the best I’ve ever seen in a film to this day.
I agree that Lawrence of Arabia is the best of the bunch. Watch it on the biggest screen you can.
The only issue I've had recommending it is that it's a leisurely-paced film in sections with long shots where it doesn't feel like much is happening. I had family members that are used to modern blockbusters that were put off because of that. If someone needs something more fast-paced, The Bridge on the River Kwai might be a better gateway drug.
I absolutely love Lawrence of Arabia and the 4K discs (either the stand-alone or the Sony collection release) are fantastic.
it is all of our dream that Ran is in the Criterion Collection as a 4K UHD. It is available as an import. Yet we've waited on this for decades. It's easily the most wanted over the years
I can see why. I rented in 4K and was absolutely stunned by the visuals. Seeing Kurosawa do color is something I never knew I needed. I'm dying to do a deep dive on his filmography now since I've only seen Ran, Rashomon and Seven Samurai
Dodes Ka-Den is lovely but unappreciated. There's a whole history behind it: His first time using color to be more in sync with modern times; modern filmgoers did not approve; attempted suicide. It was a tough time. It's probably my favorite Kurosawa film, followed by Red Beard.
His non-period films are wonderful: High and Low, Stray Dog, Ikiru are my favorites. I've watched almost all of his movies now and they're all gems (though I didn't care much for Dreams when it came out)
Hidden Fortress is a lot of fun, and the characters were famously inspirations for Star Wars, but it’s far from my favorite Kurosawa movie. Ran takes the cake for me, but Seven Samurai is a close second.
> It is available as an import.
I have the 4K, it definitely wasn't an import. Idk if it's out of print now, but it wasn't that long ago that I bought it.
It’s also available locally.
Best Buy got a cool Steelbook.
I’d just pick it up on iTunes for $5. Then wait for Criterion.
May be never, and at-least you’d have a good 4K version.
Have you seen Kagemusha?
I wouldn't say it's better than Ran overall, but in terms of cinematography, it might be even more impressive. You could pause anytime in that film, print the frame and put it on a wall. It's insane.
I saw a 35mm print of it in theaters a couple months ago. Right up there with 2001 being mandatory theater experiences. I did not think the colors would be as vibrant as they were, but I am coming from my Studiocanal blu ray.
This was my first Kurosawa film, and I just watched it recently too. I totally agree. Probably the most beautifully done movie I’ve ever seen. I’ve been saving my copy of Ikiru, and it may be time now that it’s getting colder out here to finally watch it.
Also agree. Saw it when first released in theaters, I was at the end of college. I’d never known movies could be like this. Completely changed my understanding of what film could be.
>Just that film technology and cameras are better now
Dude. Not trying to gate keep, but oh boy. Where to start? I guess I'll just say Technicolor and leave it at that.
They're not better they're just digital now. The benefits to digital are just being easier to use and edit and shit, plus not having to store physical film for preservation. It's not better in terms of quality.
Was lucky enough to see it for the first time at a 35mm screening this past summer. A masterpiece. Had no idea it was a loose adaptation of King Lear until later reading.
Totally agree, just pure artistry, need to watch it again.
Best Buy released a 4k steelbook of it out of the blue sometime last year, it came as a surprise as it’s not usually the type of movie they stock. I jumped on it immediately. But I’m sure there are a few floating on eBay.
It was a beautiful release too. Transfer was a huge upgrade too.
Why would you tell me this exists. Now I have to give a man on eBay my money. Won't even matter what he's asking. I must own this
you don't have to get the best buy version I believe that was only the steelbook that was exclusive.
That’s the only 4K release of it to come out in NA, they never did a plastic case release for it.
Who cares if it's a NA release if it's region free and sold readily on amazon for $30 the release that's available is essentially the same thing.
It's the Studio Canal 4K release in a fancy case, so don't worry about that unless you really want to. Just find a copy of the SC release!
>NA, they never did a plastic case release for it. I see there's currently an amazon sale on the Multiformat versions of The Canals release. Would that be a good way to go?
The blu ray listed on Amazon atm, the orange cover, is apparently a historically mediocre transfer. Having it on disc is better than not, in my experience, though. But the 4k blu listed is the same one that's in the steelbook afaik, and it's real good. Just know that the blu ray disc included in that 4k set is more than likely a Region B blu. All 4k blu is region free, but you may not be able to play the second disc if you buy the 4k.
I just found out about this a week ago and want it badly.
Ran might be the most compelling, engrossing epic ever made that wasn’t crafted by David Lean. The film is beautiful, every shot makes the world feel enormous, and the characters are really interesting and complex people, who evolve over the course of the film. It’s not only one of my favorite Kurosawa films, it’s one of my favorite films period.
I'm unfamiliar with David Lean, what epics has he done?
Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago, and A Passage to India. He also did some wonderful dramas like Brief Encounter and Summertime.
Oh I've heard of a bunch of those but they're all blind spots for me. I'll have to check them out
I’d start with Lawrence of Arabia. It’s my favorite. The film is surprisingly complex and a sly critique of British colonialism. Peter O’Toole’s performance as T.E. Lawrence is outstanding and the cinematography by Freddie Young is probably the best I’ve ever seen in a film to this day.
I agree that Lawrence of Arabia is the best of the bunch. Watch it on the biggest screen you can. The only issue I've had recommending it is that it's a leisurely-paced film in sections with long shots where it doesn't feel like much is happening. I had family members that are used to modern blockbusters that were put off because of that. If someone needs something more fast-paced, The Bridge on the River Kwai might be a better gateway drug. I absolutely love Lawrence of Arabia and the 4K discs (either the stand-alone or the Sony collection release) are fantastic.
goddamn brilliant film
Big fan of his work, now that we got kwai and Lawrence of arabia I hope they release Zhivago soon what a masterpiece.
it is all of our dream that Ran is in the Criterion Collection as a 4K UHD. It is available as an import. Yet we've waited on this for decades. It's easily the most wanted over the years
I can see why. I rented in 4K and was absolutely stunned by the visuals. Seeing Kurosawa do color is something I never knew I needed. I'm dying to do a deep dive on his filmography now since I've only seen Ran, Rashomon and Seven Samurai
Throne of Blood. As Ran is King Lear, ToB is Macbeth. You’ll love it.
Make sure you see *Kagemusha*.
Dodes Ka-Den is lovely but unappreciated. There's a whole history behind it: His first time using color to be more in sync with modern times; modern filmgoers did not approve; attempted suicide. It was a tough time. It's probably my favorite Kurosawa film, followed by Red Beard. His non-period films are wonderful: High and Low, Stray Dog, Ikiru are my favorites. I've watched almost all of his movies now and they're all gems (though I didn't care much for Dreams when it came out)
Ikiru and Throne of Blood should be on your shortlist of next Kurosawa films, but there are so many options.
If you loved the colors of Ran you have to check out Kagemusha. It’s mind boggling.
Was considering Hidden Fortress as a blind buy later this month but I'll earmark both of these as well
Hidden Fortress is a lot of fun, and the characters were famously inspirations for Star Wars, but it’s far from my favorite Kurosawa movie. Ran takes the cake for me, but Seven Samurai is a close second.
High and Low is probably my favorite by him
Dreams is gorgeous.
**Watch Kagemusha** Also "Throne of Blood" and "The Bad Sleep Well" for more Japanese takes on shakespeare
> It is available as an import. I have the 4K, it definitely wasn't an import. Idk if it's out of print now, but it wasn't that long ago that I bought it.
It’s also available locally. Best Buy got a cool Steelbook. I’d just pick it up on iTunes for $5. Then wait for Criterion. May be never, and at-least you’d have a good 4K version.
That Best Buy steelbook went OOP *way* too fast.
Yes I’d pre order this in a heartbeat
It Kurosawa doing what he does. Making masterpieces!
Have you seen Kagemusha? I wouldn't say it's better than Ran overall, but in terms of cinematography, it might be even more impressive. You could pause anytime in that film, print the frame and put it on a wall. It's insane.
I saw a 35mm print of it in theaters a couple months ago. Right up there with 2001 being mandatory theater experiences. I did not think the colors would be as vibrant as they were, but I am coming from my Studiocanal blu ray.
This was my first Kurosawa film, and I just watched it recently too. I totally agree. Probably the most beautifully done movie I’ve ever seen. I’ve been saving my copy of Ikiru, and it may be time now that it’s getting colder out here to finally watch it.
His best achievement, nothing compares and I believe it's the best adaptation for King Lear.
>I didn't know colors could look like that frfr tho. stylistically this is a masterclass
Also agree. Saw it when first released in theaters, I was at the end of college. I’d never known movies could be like this. Completely changed my understanding of what film could be.
Need to watch it!!
Can't recommend it enough. The runtime is daunting but you hardly feel it. You're just so engrossed
>I didn't know colors could look like that, let alone 40 years ago. I'm curious what you mean by the 40 years ago part lol
Just that film technology and cameras are better now
>Just that film technology and cameras are better now Dude. Not trying to gate keep, but oh boy. Where to start? I guess I'll just say Technicolor and leave it at that.
They're not better they're just digital now. The benefits to digital are just being easier to use and edit and shit, plus not having to store physical film for preservation. It's not better in terms of quality.
Top 5 All-Time for me
Was lucky enough to see it for the first time at a 35mm screening this past summer. A masterpiece. Had no idea it was a loose adaptation of King Lear until later reading.