The Hidden Fortress (Criterion Collection) (1958) (Blu-ray/DVD - 3/18/2014)

A grand-scale adventure as only Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai) could make one, The Hidden Fortress stars the inimitable Toshiro Mifune (Yojimbo) as a general charged with guarding his defeated clan's princess (a fierce Misa Uehara) as the two smuggle royal treasure across hostile territory. Accompanying them are a pair of bumbling, conniving peasants who may or may not be their friends. This rip-roaring ride is among the director's most beloved films and was a primary influence on George Lucas's Star Wars. The Hidden Fortress delivers Kurosawa's trademark deft blend of wry humor, breathtaking action, and compassionate humanity.

Condition:NEW. Brand New Factory Sealed

Product Details

Format: Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number of discs: 2
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Criterion Collection
DVD Release Date: March 18, 2014
Run Time: 139 minutes

Special Features
New audio commentary by film Historian Stephen Prince, author of The Warrior's Camera: The Cinema Of Akira Kurosawa Documentary from 2003 on the making of the film, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful To Create Interview from 2001 with filmmaker George Lucas about Kurosawa Trailer.

Cast & Crew
Toshiro Mifune Gen. Rokurota Makabe
Misa Uehara Lady Yukihime
Kamatari Fujiwara Matashichi
Minoru Chiaki Tahei
Susumu Fujita Gen. Hyoe Tadokoro
Takashi Shimura The Old General, Izumi Nagakura
Eiko Miyoshi Lady-in-waiting
Toshiko Higuchi The Farmer's Daughter
Koji Mitsui Soldier
Tadao Nakamaru Young Man
Ikio Sawamura Gambler
Kichijiro Ueda Girl-Dealer

Technical Credits
Akira Kurosawa Director, Editor, Producer, Screenwriter
Masumi Fujimoto Producer
Shinobu Hashimoto Screenwriter
Ryuzo Kikushima Screenwriter
Yoshiro Muraki Production Designer
Hideo Oguni Screenwriter
Masaru Sato Score Composer
Kazuo Yamazaki Cinematographer
Fumio Yanoguchi Sound/Sound Designer

Scene Index
Disc #1 --The Hidden Fortress
1. An Unlucky Pair [5:06]
2. Wanted [4:01]
3. Close Call [5:34]
4. Surprise Discovery [4:35]
5. The General [7:38]
6. Hidden Fortress [4:17]
7. Rokurota Makabe [5:17]
8. A Girl [4:34]
9. Princess Yuki [4:01]
10. Rokurota's Ruse [6:54]
11. A Clever Plan [5:12]
12. Two Hundred Pieces [3:53]
13. Leaving The Fortress [4:04]
14. No Escape [5:30]
15. Mind Tricks [6:27]
16. A Woman's Worth [5:07]
17. Rokurota In Action [3:42]
18. Duel [9:12]
19. Mounting Frustrations [5:54]
20. Fire Festival [7:49]
21. Extra Hands [5:43]
22. Drawing Fire [4:44]
23. Scarred [6:25]
24. An Honorable Man [5:18]
25. Shifting Fortunes [3:44]
26. Lucky At Last [3:55]
1. Color Bars [:20]
1. Huge Hit [5:06]
2. Changing Perspectives [4:01]
3. Fine Historian [5:34]
4. Reliable Actors [4:35]
5. Widescreen Framing [7:38]
6. Smart Screenwriting [4:17]
7. Tough Role [5:17]
8. Noh Flute [4:34]
9. Dark Subtext [4:01]
10. John Ford's Influence [6:54]
11. Triangular Compositions [5:12]
12. True Anamorphic [3:53]
13. Kurosawa's Cinematographers [4:04]
14. Elaborate Movements [5:30]
15. Impressive Character [6:27]
16. Telephoto Filming [5:07]
17. Action Highlight [3:42]
18. Samurai Tradition [9:12]
19. Social Critques [5:54]
20. Handsome Set Piece [7:49]
21. Enlightenment [5:43]
22. Breaking The Action [4:44]
23. Ethical Issues [6:25]
24. Most Exhilarating Scene [5:18]
25. Human Condition [3:44]
26. Changed Characters [3:55]
1. Color Bars [:20]
1. John Ford And Format [2:53]
2. Casting [7:57]
3. Challenges [7:18]
4. Horses [5:21]
5. Swords And Speed [6:00]
6. Key Collaborators [11:18]
1. Chapter 1 [7:51]
2. Chapter 2 [:16]

Menu
Disc #1 --The Hidden Fortress
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Chapters
Commentary
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Index
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful To Create
Index
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George Lucas on Akira Kurosawa
Chapters
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Trailer
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3.0 Perspecta
Subtitles
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