Skip to content

Back to Blu-ray

Kurosawa Samurai Collection

£49.99

Released: 1st September 2014. Details Akira Kurosawa is one of the world’s greatest filmmakers. His films have been acclaimed by critics the world over, and his celebrated samurai epics – featuring international star ToshirĂ´ Mifune – have inspired filmmakers as diverse as Steven Spielberg and Sergio Leone, and inspired countless films, including The Magnificent Seven. This indispensable Blu-ray collection contains digitally remastered High Definition presentations of five of Kurosawa’s greatest films, are accompanied with extra features including interviews with directors George Lucas and Alex Cox, feature-length audio commentaries and original theatrical trailers. Seven Samurai When the residents of a small Japanese village seek protection they hire seven unemployed ‘ronin’ (masterless samurai). Paid only in handfuls of rice, the samurai remain distant from the villagers, knowing that their assignment may prove fatal. Unanimously hailed as one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces, Seven Samurai has inspired countless films, including The Magnificent Seven. Japan | 1954 | 207 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 1.33:1 Throne of Blood In this brilliant re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth ToshirĂ´ Mifune plays a samurai fated to betray his friend and master in exchange for the prestige of nobility. Kurosawa’s bloody tale is a triumph of economic style, and the climactic battle scene is full of remarkable, and brutal, imagery. Japan | 1957 | 108 minutes | Japanese language with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 1.33:1 The Hidden Fortress In this classic collaboration between Kurosawa and star Mifune, a warrior and a princess try against all odds to return to their homeland with their fortune. Acknowledged by George Lucas as the inspiration for Star Wars, The Hidden Fortress combines an epic tale of struggle and honour with modern comic sensibilities to masterful effect Japan | 1958 | 144 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 2.35:1 Yojimbo A drifting samurai for hire plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honour. Yojimbo provided inspiration for A Fistful of Dollars Japan | 1961 | 110 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 2.35:1 Sanjuro After the success of Yojimbo , Kurosawa teamed up once again with Mifune one year later to make this comedy of manners. The film, which follows a man fighting corruption in local government, offers a twist on the classic Samurai tale by gently, but perfectly parodying the conventions of the Japanese period action movie tradition. Japan | 1962 | 99 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | 2.35:1 Extras All films presented in High Definition Original theatrical trailers The Art of Akira Kurosawa (2013, 49 mins): Asian-cinema expert Tony Rayns discusses Kurosawa’s career and influence Interview with filmmaker George Lucas (2001, 8 mins) Interview with filmmaker Alex Cox (2003, 9 mins) Introduction to Sanjuro by Alex Cox (2003, 5 mins) Full-length audio commentary on Throne of Blood by Japanese expert Michael Jeck Full-length audio commentary on Yojimbo by film critic Philip Kemp Fully illustrated booklet with contributions from Philip Kemp and Nigel Andrews, and full film credits

More info

Format

Blu-ray Box Set

There was an error adding this product to your basket. Please try again.

Ring & Reserve

*Availability subject to change.

To reserve this item in store, call: 03333 230 667

Delivery to the UK only
*Free UK delivery on orders over ÂŁ20
(exclusions apply)
Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Click & Collect
Get it delivered to a store near you with FREE Click & Collect available on this product.
  • Details

    Released:
    1st September 2014
    Category:
    World Cinema
    Studio:
    BFI
    Format:
    Blu-ray Box Set
    Certification:
    12 – Suitable for 12 years and over
    Barcode:
    5035673012000
  • Description

    Details

    Akira Kurosawa is one of the world’s greatest filmmakers.

    His films have been acclaimed by critics the world over, and his celebrated samurai epics – featuring international star ToshirĂ´ Mifune – have inspired filmmakers as diverse as Steven Spielberg and Sergio Leone, and inspired countless films, including The Magnificent Seven. This indispensable Blu-ray collection contains digitally remastered High Definition presentations of five of Kurosawa’s greatest films, are accompanied with extra features including interviews with directors George Lucas and Alex Cox, feature-length audio commentaries and original theatrical trailers.

    Seven Samurai
    When the residents of a small Japanese village seek protection they hire seven unemployed ‘ronin’ (masterless samurai). Paid only in handfuls of rice, the samurai remain distant from the villagers, knowing that their assignment may prove fatal. Unanimously hailed as one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces, Seven Samurai has inspired countless films, including The Magnificent Seven.
    Japan | 1954 | 207 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 1.33:1

    Throne of Blood
    In this brilliant re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth ToshirĂ´ Mifune plays a samurai fated to betray his friend and master in exchange for the prestige of nobility.
    Kurosawa’s bloody tale is a triumph of economic style, and the climactic battle scene is full of remarkable, and brutal, imagery.
    Japan | 1957 | 108 minutes | Japanese language with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 1.33:1

    The Hidden Fortress
    In this classic collaboration between Kurosawa and star Mifune, a warrior and a princess try against all odds to return to their homeland with their fortune. Acknowledged by George Lucas as the inspiration for Star WarsThe Hidden Fortress combines an epic tale of struggle and honour with modern comic sensibilities to masterful effect
    Japan | 1958 | 144 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 2.35:1

    Yojimbo
    A drifting samurai for hire plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honour. Yojimbo provided inspiration for A Fistful of Dollars
    Japan | 1961 | 110 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 2.35:1

    Sanjuro
    After the success of Yojimbo , Kurosawa teamed up once again with Mifune one year later to make this comedy of manners. The film, which follows a man fighting corruption in local government, offers a twist on the classic Samurai tale by gently, but perfectly parodying the conventions of the Japanese period action movie tradition.
    Japan | 1962 | 99 minutes | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | 2.35:1

    Extras

    • All films presented in High Definition
    • Original theatrical trailers
    • The Art of Akira Kurosawa (2013, 49 mins): Asian-cinema expert Tony Rayns discusses Kurosawa’s career and influence
    • Interview with filmmaker George Lucas (2001, 8 mins)
    • Interview with filmmaker Alex Cox (2003, 9 mins)
    • Introduction to Sanjuro by Alex Cox (2003, 5 mins)
    • Full-length audio commentary on Throne of Blood by Japanese expert Michael Jeck
    • Full-length audio commentary on Yojimbo by film critic Philip Kemp
    • Fully illustrated booklet with contributions from Philip Kemp and Nigel Andrews, and full film credits
    Region Code:
    Region B
    Original Language:
    Japanese
    Extras:
    Language(s): Japanese, Subtitles: English, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Screen ratio 1:1.33, Mono, Booklet, Bonus Footage, Commentary: Michael Jeck (Japanese Expert), Philip Kemp (Film Critic), Documentaries: 'The Art of Akira Kurosawa' (2013), Interviews: George Lucas (Film-maker), Alex Cox (Film-maker), Introduction to 'Sanjuro' (1962) by Alex Cox, Trailers
  • Delivery and Returns

    Delivery charges

    • Orders under £20 - £2.99 postage fee
    • Orders £20 and over - FREE*
    • Click & Collect - FREE**
    • Express Delivery - £5.99
    *Selected items are only available for shipping via a dedicated delivery service for a charge.
    **Selected items are only available for delivery using Click & Collect to an hmv or FOPP store of your choice.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


    When will my order arrive?

    • We aim to dispatch orders within 24 hours* 
    • Standard delivery is a Royal Mail Tracked 48® service and usually arrives within 2-5 working days, including Saturdays. 
    • Express delivery is either a Royal Mail Tracked 24® or DPD service, for delivery within two working days (if ordered by 2pm, Monday to Friday - excluding public holidays).
    • We’ll aim to dispatch pre-orders so that you receive them on the release date.
    *Items must be in stock to be dispatched within these timeframes. Where an item is 'Back in stock soon', we'll aim to receive more stock within a week and will dispatch orders once the stock has arrived.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.

    Will you tell me when my order is on its way?

    • We’ll send you a dispatch email when your items are on their way, but you can also check the status of your order in your account.
    • We don’t always ship everything together so check your dispatch email for more details - we’ll send you a dispatch email per parcel.
    • If your order contains items that are out of stock, we’ll ship the in-stock items as soon as we can and will dispatch the out-of-stock items as soon as we’ve received more stock.
    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


    Trusted Suppliers

    Products labelled '*item fulfilled by Exertis on behalf of hmv' will be supplied to you directly by Exertis via their approved couriers. When you place an order for an item that is fulfilled by Exertis, your details shall be forwarded to them so that they can fulfil the order, and to their courier so that they can deliver the item.


    Returns

    • We're happy to accept returns for unwanted items provided that they're returned within 14 days of receipt; unopened, unused and in perfect condition.
    • Some exclusions apply, please visit the Returns section of our Help Centre for more details. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Sign-up for emails

Sign-up for emails

Sign-up for emails

I'd love to hear about offers and promotions from hmv*