Criterion continues their process of updating some of their oldest Kurosawa releases. Next in line is High and Low, which will get a new treatment on a double disc set that comes out in July.
Just like with earlier revisits that Criterion has made to Kurosawa films that they had already released — Seven Samurai, Yojimbo and Sanjuro — the new High and Low is presented with a new high definition digital transfer, improved subtitles, a new commentary track, as well as the relevant episode from Toho’s Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create. Thrown in are also a few interviews.
According to Criterion, features for the new release include:
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer, with newly restored original four-track surround sound
- New audio commentary by Akira Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
- A 37-minute documentary on the making of High and Low, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
- Rare archival interview with Toshiro Mifune
- New video interview with actor Tsutomu Yamazaki, who plays the kidnapper
- Theatrical trailers from Japan and the U.S.
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien and a reprinted essay by Japanese film scholar Donald Richie
- More!
More information and preorders available at Criterion’s website.
Great news!!