Kurosawa: Classic Collection [DVD] [1952]

Item came very quickly exactly as described and played well

Sadly haven’t had time to watch yet but I certainly will soon!

As owner of both the BFI 'Samurai' and 'Crime' Kurosawa collections, this was the next logical purchase, for me. I've resisted, so far, their 'Early' Kurosawa collection. I've bought these as wonderful collector's items, to enjoy the films, appreciate the diversity of the director and relish the lovely presentation and authorative booklet. And, to support the BFI, who do a splendid job, bringing often unseen and unknown films to film-lovers such as you and me.Akira Kurosawa will forever be synonymous with his world-dominating, ground-breaking take on the samurai and one that he'll be remembered for, above all else. However, he was far from being a one-genre director and in many ways, classics such as Ikiru (included here) are their equal.Many in the 'Crime Collection' set (which I've also reviewed) - Drunken Angel, Stray Dog and High & Low, 3 in particular, which all show this master director turning to contemporary issues, of a hugely changing Japan. Even if you don't consider them classics, they're as good as anything Hollywood did - OK, minus 'our' iconic screen idols, look at them as very good dramas dealing with big issues of the time; usually in a thoroughly entertaining and accomplished way.I have digressed, my point having been to show that alternative Kurosawa's are often the equal to his famous films and thus worthy of our attention; so now to this set.As other reviewers have said, you get two extra films never released on DVD before - Lower Depths and Dodes'Ka-Den and so avid Kurosawa fans and completists will get something extra. For me, it's Red Beard that I most wanted to see, whilst I Live in Fear touches on Ozu territory, in its poignant and respectful look at cold-war paranoia that the whole of the developed world suffered.I've purposefully gone down the route of the keen movie watcher/collector than film reviewer as I feel, like I did, that much indecision arises as to whether one should buy, this or that, or none at all. I won't try to sway you - I'm not the one who is selling the product!I will say, though, that these BFI sets aren't cheap and their limited market means little discounting but when compared to individual DVDs, they work out better, if you can can get them, of course. On the plus side, whilst seeming to be un-restored, BFI's exacting standards mean they are the best transfers that you're likely to get. Their price, packaging and presentation also make perfect gifts for the rather special film-lover in your life - such as yourself....

This is a collection of Five films by one of the greatest film makers of all time Akira Kurosawa and all featuring Toshiro Mifune.For me a must watch are "The Lower Depths" and "Red Beard" the only down side to this collection is it is not on Blu-Ray like Kurosiwo's samurai collection.

Kurosawa Classic Collection is wonderful!This boxset provides you with:Ikiru (1952); I Live in Fear (1949); Red Beard (1965); The Lower Depths (1957); Dodes Ka-den (1970)The selection of films are mostly black and white (only Dodes Ka-den is coloured) but the quality of the films are great!As any Kurosawa fan will know, Kurosawa loves to explore the philosophical themes which surround life, where his films usually leaves the audience with deep impressions on these moral issues and problems presented in his films.All 5 of the films are definitely worth watching, and the boxset is definitely worth its price.The product itself is really well presented, where the quality and layout of the boxset and dvds are great.Definitely recommended to any Kurosawa fan, but also anyone who wants to venture on the masterpieces of a legendary director.

First of all, the picture and audio quality is very well done, and even though there are very few extra features these movies don't need them to be enjoyed fully (read a Kurosawa biography if you want more). On top of that the BFI ist to be commended for making avilable here these movies that can be very hard to find on modern media in the West, yet can be an epiphany to even new and more casual movie fans.Sure we don't get state-of-the-art 2K or 4K scans of the original picture on BD, but what's here does impress nonetheless, if only for the fact that it is accessible to a broad audience that may otherwise never get to experience these gems.The only downside for me was what must have been a production issue: One disc was dead on arrival, split from the central hole to a crack around 4.5cm or 2 inches in length making the DVD unplayable (Red Beard) - sold and shipped by amazon. Other than that both the discs and container were in good shape, getting the discs out of the case wasn't nasty either as some other collections can be...If you get your discs in working order this is a very decent and affordable collection of some of Kurosawa's other works, outside his more well-known Samurai movies (Jidaigeki).

This set arrived with the inside clip broken and the discs loose in the case.Luckily they are not scratched but it is annoying.The manufacturer used to send these expensive sets in seperate cases but now uses this cheap packaging and that is a pity. This is not enough reason to return the set but a replacement case would be much appreciated.

Though I have finished watching the movies in this collection and enjoyed what I have seen. I had looked long to find 'Red Beard' but had seen two of the others. Of course that was many years ago and only had vague memories. Looking forward to watching the final movie.