One of the greatest films of all time, Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai has influenced the work of directors from George Lucas to Steven Spielberg, and spawned remakes, most notably John Sturges’ acclaimed The Magnificent Seven.
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 (with Shimura and Toshiro Mifune – as a peasant masquerading as a samurai – particularly memorable), superb camerawork, and expertly mounted battle sequences, Seven Samurai is undoubtedly one of the greatest action movies ever made.
Newly restored by Toho in 4K, the BFI is delighted to release this all-time classic on UHD for the first time. Available as a limited edition 2-disc set with a book, a set of four postcards and a double-sided poster.
You can pre order via our paid link HERE.
Extras
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- 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
When a warlord dies, a peasant thief is called upon to impersonate him, and then finds himself haunted by his spirit as well as his own ambitions. With his late Read more
The first Japanese science fiction film to be made in colour, Koji Shima’s Warning From Space features eye-popping special effects from the same team at Daiei Studios that would bring Gamera to life a Read more
In this visually arresting action drama from acclaimed director Johnnie To (Mad Detective, Election), legendary Judo fighter Szeto Bo (Louis Koo; Flash Point, The Legend of Zu) unexpectedly gave up Read more
Praised by Japanese film critics and much admired by his contemporaries Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirô Ozu, Tomu Uchida nonetheless remains a little-known in the west. His 1955 masterpiece Bloody Spear Read more
Haruo Nakajima was born on January 1st 1929 in Yamagata, Japan. He is considered by many to be the best suit actor in the long history of the franchise. At the Read more
Battle Beyond the Stars was directed by Jimmy T. Murakami and produced by Roger Corman. The film is based on The Magnificent Seven, the Western remake of Akira Kurosawa's film Read more
Twin Peaks was an American television serial drama that was created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. The show's title came from the small, fictional Washington town in which it Read more
Brett Summers
Brett founded CultFaction.com in 2014 a website and podcast that deals with cult film and tv. He also has a strong interest in grappling martial arts both as a practitioner and as a historian.