Seven Samurai: Criterion original vs. Criterion re-issue
- captainjoe
- King of Beggars
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Seven Samurai: Criterion original vs. Criterion re-issue
Seven Samurai
Top: Original Criterion
Bottom: Newly released Criterion
Criterion has finally re-issued Seven Samurai on DVD and the results are worth the wait. All the terrible and annoying dirt
and debris from the old disc is gone. What is left is a clearer image with deep blacks and a sharper image. The artificial
edge enhancement found on the old disc is completely gone. There's a much more natural film grain coming through
with absolutely no noise reduction.
The other benefit of this set is that the film is split onto two discs to prevent compression artefacts and pixelation
like those found on the old release. I have a feeling that the older Criterion disc was slightly sped up because
the main titles end at about 2:58 on the old disc and 3:04 on the new disc. This disc and many others make me
wish Criterion would start releasing HD discs.
The new mono track is ten times better. The hiss and crackle from the old disc is gone. A new Dolby Surround track
has also been added which is a welcomed addition.
Criterion has provided a new subtitle track. It differs from the original. I think the new one works best but I'm not
sure if it's more accurate than before. The text is better and easier to read.
Top: Original Criterion
Bottom: Newly released Criterion
Criterion has finally re-issued Seven Samurai on DVD and the results are worth the wait. All the terrible and annoying dirt
and debris from the old disc is gone. What is left is a clearer image with deep blacks and a sharper image. The artificial
edge enhancement found on the old disc is completely gone. There's a much more natural film grain coming through
with absolutely no noise reduction.
The other benefit of this set is that the film is split onto two discs to prevent compression artefacts and pixelation
like those found on the old release. I have a feeling that the older Criterion disc was slightly sped up because
the main titles end at about 2:58 on the old disc and 3:04 on the new disc. This disc and many others make me
wish Criterion would start releasing HD discs.
The new mono track is ten times better. The hiss and crackle from the old disc is gone. A new Dolby Surround track
has also been added which is a welcomed addition.
Criterion has provided a new subtitle track. It differs from the original. I think the new one works best but I'm not
sure if it's more accurate than before. The text is better and easier to read.
Last edited by captainjoe on 19 Apr 2007, 23:24, edited 6 times in total.
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- Little White Dragon
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- bradavon
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Agreed the new Criterion is much better. What are the new extras like?
Agreed I dislike "son of a bitch" too but what could they use? They need to use some form of modern English for it to make sense, no? The old subs look worse using words instead of sentences to convey the message.
£18 is decent for a Criterion (CD WOW want £25) but it's still to much. I'll upgrade one day though.
EDIT: It should "just" get through customs at DVD Pacific as it's £17.90 (roughly) before postage but is £20 after postage (surface mail) so definitely to much for me.
I'd pay £15 tops.
Agreed I dislike "son of a bitch" too but what could they use? They need to use some form of modern English for it to make sense, no? The old subs look worse using words instead of sentences to convey the message.
£18 is decent for a Criterion (CD WOW want £25) but it's still to much. I'll upgrade one day though.
EDIT: It should "just" get through customs at DVD Pacific as it's £17.90 (roughly) before postage but is £20 after postage (surface mail) so definitely to much for me.
I'd pay £15 tops.
- bradavon
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There is also a decent comparison of all the versions (including the new SE) here:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompar ... amurai.htm
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompar ... amurai.htm
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- King of Beggars
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- captainjoe
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The window boxing is something Criterion does so that nothing is lost when you watch it on certain TVs. I didn't notice any boxing on my CRT televisions and only saw a bit more on the sides on my HD-TV. It's not that big of a deal.
Criterion never had an english dub but there may be one somewhere. Best to watch it with subs though, just my opinion.
Criterion never had an english dub but there may be one somewhere. Best to watch it with subs though, just my opinion.
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- captainjoe
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