Stray Dog Blu-ray

The British Film Institute has provided final details for its upcoming Blu-ray release of Akira Kurosawa's Stray Dog (1949), starring Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Isao Kimura, Keiko Awaji, and Eiko Miyoshi. The release is scheduled to arrive on the market on January 27.

Description: When rookie detective Murakami (Toshiro Mifune) has his pistol stolen from his pocket, his frantic attempts to track down the thief lead him to an illegal weapons market in the Tokyo underworld. But the gun has already passed from the pickpocket to a young gangster, and is soon identified as the firearm used in a shooting. Murakami is overwhelmed with remorse and turns for help to his older and more experienced senior, Sato (a superb performance by Takashi Shimura). The race is on to find the gunman before he can strike again…

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM A 35MM MASTER POSITIVE BY TOHO, CO., LTD
• NEW audio commentary by Japanese-Australian filmmaker Kenta McGrath
• A Japanese Tale (2024, 31 mins): Kurosawa scholar Jasper Sharp discusses Stray Dog and its position within the director's cinematic oeuvre
• Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Stray Dog (2002, 32 mins): a Toho documentary short examining Kurosawa's compelling crime drama in detail
• First pressing only: Illustrated booklet with a new writing on the film by Barry Forshaw, an archival essay by Philip Kemp, Akira Kurosawa writing on the film, notes on the special features and film credits