8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a "proper" samurai on its ear.
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Keiju Kobayashi, Yûzô Kayama, Reiko DanForeign | 100% |
Drama | 97% |
Period | 28% |
Martial arts | 22% |
Crime | 18% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Japanese: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 3.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 0.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Akira Kurosawa's "Sanjuro" (1962) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary by film historian Stephen Prince; archival documentary; theatrical trailer; and more. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles. Region-Free.
The release introduces a new 4K restoration of Sanjuro, which is included in this set. In native 4K, the 4K restoration cannot be viewed with Dolby Vision or HDR grades.
Please note that all screencaptures included with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the content on the 4K Blu-ray.
Sanjuro made its high-definition debut at the same time Yojimbo did, which was in 2010. The original release of Sanjuro is the only other release of it that I have in my library.
The 4K makeover of Sanjuro is every bit as impressive as the one that was prepared for Yojimbo. The entire film looks very healthy now and boasts visuals with undeniably improved delineation, clarity, and depth. Also, I would like to specifically mention something that was an unmissable weakness on the previous presentation but is eliminated here. On the previous presentation, there are areas with mild background flicker, which on a bigger screen makes some visuals appear even more dated than they are. On the 4K makeover, the same areas look very stable and even. As a result, not only these areas, but the entire film produce visuals consistent fluidity is very, very attractive. On a big screen, this is one of the most dramatic improvements. Obviously, this 4K makeover is again sourced from superior elements and finalized with superior technology, so once again there is more visual information. Darker areas, for instance, reveal plenty of better balanced shadow nuances, which strengthen clarity and depth. There are no traces of any compromising digital corrections.
There are two standard audio tracks on this release: Japanese LPCM 1.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 3.0 (which your player will display as a 5.1 track). Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
When viewing Sanjuro, I like to use the Mono track again. It is not because I dislike the 3.0 track. It is as effective as the one that was created for Yojimbo, but I do not think that the Mono track underperforms in any meaningful ways. Its most obvious dynamic limitations are inherited, and their effects are not eliminated on the 3.0 track. For example, on both tracks, the upper registers can appear a bit uneven at times.
4K BLU-RAY DISC
Yojimbo and Sanjuro are the two Akira Kurosawa films that I have revisited the most over the years. Toshirô Mifune is sensational in both, and I just really like how they are shot. Both films have been recently restored in 4K and will soon be available on 4K Blu-ray. Like Yojimbo, Sanjuro looks glorious now, the best it ever has. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
用心棒 / Yôjinbô
1961
七人の侍 / Shichinin no samurai
1954
Tengoku to jigoku / 天国と地獄
1963
蜘蛛巣城 / Kumonosu-jô
1957
羅生門 / Rashômon
1950
大菩薩峠 / Dai-bosatsu tôge
1966
修羅雪姫 / Shurayukihime
1973
切腹 / Seppuku
1962
Kozure ôkami: Jigoku e ikuzo! Daigorô
1974
Kozure Ôkami: Sanzu no kawa no ubaguruma
1972
続宮本武蔵 一乗寺の決闘 / Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijôji no kettô
1955
宮本武蔵完結編 決闘巌流島 / Miyamoto Musashi kanketsuhen: kettô Ganryûjima
1956
Kozure ôkami: Ko wo kashi ude kashi tsukamatsuru
1972
2008
修羅雪姫 怨み恋歌 / Shurayuki-hime: Urami koiuta
1974
1970
座頭市あばれ火祭り / Zatôichi abare-himatsuri
1970
新座頭市物語・折れた杖 / Shin Zatôichi monogatari: Oreta tsue
1972
座頭市御用旅 / Zatôichi goyô-tabi
1972
座頭市牢破り / Zatôichi rôyaburi
1967