Yojimbo/Sanjuro Blu-Ray Boxset from Criterion vs DVD Boxset

Yojimbo/Sanjuro BluRay Set Vs. Yojimbo/Sanjuro DVD Set from Criterion
With the coming of BluRay discs one question always is on the back of people's mind is it worth double, triple, or quadruple dipping on movies that you have already bought? To answer that question is really hard, but should come down to some factors. 1. How much do you love the film? Is it one of your all time favorites or is it on the bottom of the list? 2. How good was the transfer before? If it was one of the first releases on DVD the transfer could look terrible. 3. What type of film it is? Certain types of films like Action, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Fantasy it can really make a differance in between a BluRay and DVD. Today I'm looking at Yojimbo/Sanjuro BluRay Boxset vs Criterion's last DVD release for them. Yojimbo falls into category factor 1 and 3, Im not worried about the transfer being of bad quality considering Criterion did the release before. To understand the Criterion Collection it is owned by Janus Films who currently sells World cinema, mainstream cinema classics, and critically-successful “obscure” movies. Using the best available source materials, the company produces technologically improved versions, thus, The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), M (1931), and the Children of Paradise (1945) discs contain film-cleaning and film-restoration demonstrations, comparing the restored and un-restored images; not every film company approved of the comparison exercise — the Toho Company took exception to the restoration demonstration in Criterion's first DVD release of Seven Samurai (1954); the re-issued version does not contain it. So you get the best when it comes to this companies transfers. Both of these films being looked at today are being directed by Akira Kurosawa considered by many including myself the greatest director in film history and starring Toshiro Mifune easily the greatest actor to grace the Japanese Cinema. Another actor to grace these productions is Takashi Shimura another regular who Kurosawa uses often and has a great onscreen chemistry with Mifune.
Yojimbo/Sanjuro
On the Box
Thanks to perhaps the most indelible character in Akira Kurosawa’s oeuvre, Yojimbo surpassed even Seven Samurai in popularity when it was released. The masterless samurai Sanjuro, who slyly manipulates two warring clans to his own advantage in a small, dusty village, was so entertainingly embodied by the brilliant Toshiro Mifune that it was only a matter of time before he returned in a sequel. Made just one year later, Sanjuro matches Yojimbo’s storytelling dexterity yet adds layers of world-weary pragmatism that brings the two films to a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion. Criterion is proud to present these Kurosawa masterworks in new, high-definition digital transfers and Blu-ray editions.
Restored high-definition digital transfers (with uncompressed monaural soundtracks on the Blu-ray editions)
Optional Dolby Digital 3.0 soundtracks, preserving the original Perspecta simulated sound effects (DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray edition)
Audio commentaries by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
Documentaries on the making of Yojimbo and Sanjuro, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
Theatrical teasers and trailers
Stills galleries of behind-the-scenes photos
New and improved English subtitle translation
PLUS: Booklets featuring essays by film writers Alexander Sesonske and Michael Sragow and comments from Kurosawa and members of his cast and crew

Yojimbo

On the Box
To rid a terror-stricken village of corruption, wily masterless samurai Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune) turns a range war between two evil clans to his own advantage in Akira Kurosawa’s visually stunning and darkly comic Yojimbo.
Story - A+
Yojimbo is one of the most copied films in the history of film even still to this day it is being rewritten and remade. Yojimbo is almost 50 years old now since it was originally released and is as brilliant today as it was when it was released very few films can say it withstood the test of time like this film and translates into just about any culture. Alot of this is to due with the simple factor Kurosawa wrote the story in such a way that any culture could relate to it by the settings characters, and storyline. Which is why All Movie Guide gives it a 5 out of 5 and it finishes #139 on the top250 films on IMDB and #15 out on the foriegn film list after all these years including two other Kurosawa film finishing ahead of it Rashoman and the Seven Samurai. Some of the films it has been remade as is Django, A Fistful of Dollars, Last Man Standing, the Zatoichi 2003 remake, and El Mariachi.
Video Quality - A BluRay

Criterion's new Blu-ray edition of Yojimbo is a direct upgrade of the 2007 DVD release. The film is now offered in stunning 1080p high-definition. Contrast is very good, with deep, detailed blacks and overall image texture is nicely refined. Very light grain remains, preserving the proper film-like experience. Thanks to the restoration work, age-related issues are minimal. Slight variation in contrast and detail is visible from scene to scene, but other than the occasional missing frame (presumably damaged, also seen on the DVD), the visual presentation is consistently excellent. And it is a vast improvement when comparing the 99 release by criterion of this film I am now amazed Criterion ever had their name on that release

Special Features - B
This is the same special features as on the DVD release except for an addition of the DTS HD Master Audio. I can't complain much for an almost fifty year old film it has alot with it. However probably most likely to do with Toho it is missing one feature I love from almost every Criterion release the restoration process special feature comparing it to the original and in this case I would of loved to have seen a DVD to BluRay transfer comparrison for prints. I was left speechless by the one Warner made when they released Wizard of Oz onto BluRay.
Sanjuro

On the Box
In Kurosawa’s sly companion piece to Yojimbo, 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.
Story - B
While not quite as good as Yojimbo and originally intended to be a different film altogether pressure from Toho after the success of Yojimbo forced Kurosawa to rewrite the script and gear it to be a sequal for Yojimbo. Which in the end takes away from the film despite that fact it is still a good film it doesn't quite seem like this story is meant for a sequal for Yojimbo or that character Sanjuro neccessarily fits in completely. If this was made by almost anybody else, but Kurosawa it might of gotten a higher rating. AMG gives it 3.5 out of 5 Stars I think rightfully so and it recieves an 8.0 out of 10 on IMDB.
Video Quality - B

Sanjuro arrives on Blu-ray in an excellent 2.35.1 AVC encoded 1080p anamorphic widescreen transfer. The black and white image is incredibly crisp and shows far more detail than was present on the previous standard definition releases that Criterion has released over the years. Clarity is striking while contrast looks to be set properly. Fine detail and texture is always strong, you'll really notice it in the facial close ups where you can make out every little hair and all of the grit on the cast members faces. There aren't any problems with mpeg compression artifacts or edge enhancement and while a welcome and natural coat of grain is evident throughout, there are only the mildest instances of print damage to note. There are a few scenes that look softer than others and there are some instances where you might notice a bit of flickering but Kurosawa fans can rest assured that this is a big step up from the standard definition releases and a completely worthwhile upgrade in the visuals department.

Special Features - B
This is the same special features as on the DVD release except for an addition of the DTS HD Master Audio. I can't complain much for an almost fifty year old film it has alot with it. However probably most likely to do with Toho it is missing one feature I love from almost every Criterion release the restoration process special feature comparing it to the original and in this case I would of loved to have seen a DVD to BluRay transfer comparison for prints.
Box Set
Overall B+
As I said in a post on facebook don't buy this set if all your looking for is more special features than the 2007 release because you will be dissapointed. However if your looking for the best transfer to date with uncompressed video and audio quality this release is for you. Which is why I chose to buy this set again. Again I urge people to consider the factors i listed above before double or triple dipping.

Up next I am going to look at a British TV series called the Sweeney a cop show from the seventies that changed the way cop shows were made and looked at featuring the late John Thaw and singer/actor Dennis Waterman.