Seven Samurai (Limited Edition) [4K UHD] [UK]

Release Date: 18/11/2024

Akira Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI, one of the greatest action films ever made, and the BFI's best-selling Blu-ray/DVD/VHS release of all time, will be release on 4K Blu-ray for the first time in the UK, along with a Blu-ray release. The BFI's new presentation will have its UK premiere at BFI IMAX on 26 September as part of the BFI's forthcoming UK-wide season ART OF ACTION and will be screened in selected cinemas in the UK and Ireland from 27 September.

The 1954 film, nominated for two Oscars and three BAFTAs, has influenced the work of directors from George Lucas to Steven Spielberg, and spawned remakes, most notably John Sturges' acclaimed THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960). Newly restored in 4K by Toho, Japan, it had a world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2024.

Each home entertainment format will be available as a Limited Edition 2-disc set with a perfect-bound book, a set of four postcards and a double-sided poster. Special features include a newly recorded commentary and the English subtitles have been updated and improved.

When 16th-century farmers whose village is repeatedly attacked by merciless bandits ask an elderly masterless samurai (Takashi Shimura) for help, offering nothing but food in return, he hesitantly agrees, and assembles a band of warriors to defend and train the villagers. Boasting terrific performances, particularly from Shimura and Toshirô Mifune as a peasant masquerading as a samurai, the film has superb camerawork and expertly mounted battle sequences.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• NEW 4K RESTORATION BY TOHO
• Newly recorded audio commentary by film critic Adrian Martin
• Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Seven Samurai (2002, 50 mins)
• The Art of Akira Kurosawa (2013, 49 mins): Asian-cinema expert Tony Rayns discusses Kurosawa's career and influence
• Original trailer
• BFI rerelease trailer
• Double-sided poster featuring artwork by Matt Needle and the BFI's poster designed for the film's rerelease
• A set of four postcards featuring iconic scenes from the film
• Perfect-bound book featuring new and archival writing on the film
• Updated and improved English subtitles
• Other extras TBC