Criterion Collection: Hidden Fortress 06/22 Blu-ray (Rental)

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. BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES - New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack - Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack preserving the original Perspecta simulated stereo effects, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio - 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 - New English subtitle translation - PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Catherine Russell