Sanjuro Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with an AVC MPEG-4 1080p transfer, "Sanjuro," directed by Akira Kurosawa, is now available on Blu-ray from Criterion. Though the visual upgrade from its predecessor "Yojimbo" is not particularly dramatic, "Sanjuro" benefits from noticeable improvements in fine detail, clarity, and contrast. Even though film grain is preserved for authenticity, there's been a conscientious effort to reduce noise, resulting in a cleaner image than its SDVD counterpart. However, viewers might observe minor inconsistencies such as occasional soft scenes and slight noise reduction artifacts. These are, likely, due to the original film elements available for transfer. Digital issues such as edge enhancement and macroblocking are minimal, enhancing the viewing experience.

Throughout the restoration process detailed in the accompanying booklet, Criterion's meticulous approach shines through—thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and other blemishes were manually removed. Despite this, small dirt particles and occasional vertical lines still surface, indicative of the challenges inherent in preserving classic films. Contrastingly, details like the textures on wooden panels and the characters' top knots are rendered with striking clarity, demonstrating the strengths of this transfer. While minor digital noise reduction (DNR) has been applied, it does not detract significantly from the overall image quality. The image's stability, devoid of severe defects such as cuts or significant damage, stands out.

In summary, the Blu-ray presentation of "Sanjuro" reflects a diligent effort to respect and enhance the film's original aesthetics. While it's not without minor flaws—such as brief moments of softness, light flickering, and occasional washed-out details—the transfer impresses with solid shadow detail, absence of distracting digital artifacts like banding or aliasing, and well-handled grain structure. The quality of this transfer, mindful of the film's age and historical importance, provides a compelling viewing experience for both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers to Kurosawa's work.

The audio presentation of "Sanjuro" on Blu-ray is offered in two distinct tracks: a Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 3.0 and a Japanese LPCM 1.0, accompanied by optional English subtitles neatly included within the image frame for audience convenience. Criterion's meticulous effort in remastering is evident, with the monaural soundtrack being revived from the original 35mm optical soundtrack at a 24-bit resolution. This meticulous restoration involved decoding the Perspecta Stereophonic Sound and re-encoding it into a Dolby 3.0 soundtrack, while diligent manual removal of auditory imperfections such as clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum was executed using Pro Tools HD, and crackle was diminished through AudioCube's technology. Despite these enhancements, the audio tracks unavoidably exhibit their vintage origin, manifesting a nostalgic atmosphere.

Listeners favoring authenticity might gravitate towards the Japanese LPCM 1.0 track, which maintains a clean, understandable dialogue despite some faint background hissing at higher volumes. Masaru Sato's score achieves a surprising dynamism and balance with the dialogue within this track. Conversely, those seeking a subtly more enriched auditory experience may prefer the DTS-HD Master Audio Perspecta 3.0, offering slight audio enhancements without betraying the film's original essence. Both tracks display signs of their age, with occasional static and a faint whir background, contributing to an authentic cinematic ambiance, yet revealing limitations in comparison with contemporary audio standards.

In essence, "Sanjuro" presents an audio experience that mirrors its visual counterpart’s classic charm. While the tracks reveal the film’s age through slight imperfections and a lack of deep bass tones, they also faithfully deliver clear dialogue and resonate well with Sato's score, particularly in its brass and tenor elements. Criterion's dedication to audio preservation ensures that, despite its vintage, "Sanjuro" stands out with superb sound quality, matching its esteemed cinematic stature, though it understandably cannot compete with modern sonic depth and clarity.

The Blu-ray release of "Sanjuro" is enhanced by a carefully curated collection of extras that delve deeply into the film's creation and its enduring legacy. The highlight is the "Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create," a 35-minute documentary part of the Toho Masterworks series, bringing insights from the legendary director Akira Kurosawa, key actors like Tatsuya Nakadai, and pivotal crew members. Furthermore, the inclusion of Stephen Price's authoritative and detailed audio commentary, recorded for the Criterion Collection, provides an invaluable analysis of "Sanjuro," dissecting its themes, filming techniques, and its unique position within Kurosawa's oeuvre with scholarly precision. Additional extras like the original theatrical trailer and teaser, offering a nostalgic glimpse behind the scenes, and a stills gallery focusing on Kurosawa at work on set, complement the package. A beautifully designed booklet featuring essays and comments from Kurosawa collaborators rounds off this exceptional collection of materials, making it a must-have for aficionados of classic samurai cinema.

Extras included in this disc:

• Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: A comprehensive documentary featuring insights from the film's director, actors, and key production crew.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original trailer for "Sanjuro," including behind-the-scenes elements.
• Teaser: A brief promotional spot for the film.
• Stills Gallery: A collection focused on Akira Kurosawa during the filming of "Sanjuro."
• Commentary: An informative audio track with film historian Stephen Price, offering a deep dive into the movie's production and significance.
• Booklet: A 20-page compilation that includes essays and remarks from Kurosawa's collaborators and scholars.

Akira Kurosawa's "Sanjuro," the engaging sequel to "Yojimbo," reprises the role of the enigmatic and adept samurai, Sanjuro Tsubaki, portrayed with unrivaled authenticity by Toshiro Mifune. Released on Blu-ray by Criterion, this pivotal film in Japanese cinema not only follows the unexpected return of Mifune's character but enriches his saga with a storyline that diverges significantly from its precursor. Originally intended as an adaptation titled "Peaceful Days," Kurosawa adapted the screenplay to revisit Sanjuro in a narrative that explores themes of honor, loyalty, and the complexities of right versus wrong with his signature mastery. Unlike "Yojimbo’s" portrayal of a samurai manipulating two warring factions for personal gain, "Sanjuro" positions its protagonist as a reluctant mentor to a group of naive samurais embroiled in clan corruption, subtly critiquing traditional norms and the follies of youthful zeal.

Kurosawa's craftsmanship in "Sanjuro" is evident in the detailed visual storytelling and dynamic character establishment, diverging from "Yojimbo" both thematically and stylistically. The sequel offers a more intimate setting largely absent in its predecessor, exchanging sweeping vistas for tightly framed shots that highlight interpersonal dynamics within confined spaces. This shift underscores a narrative driven by intellect over brute force, as Sanjuro employs cunning over his sword to navigate and influence the power struggle. Masaru Sato’s vibrant score complements this journey, blending traditional Japanese music with elements of jazz to underscore the film’s evolving tone from tension to moments of unexpected humor.

"Sanjuro" culminates in an iconic duel that contrasts with the film’s explorations of non-violence, patience, and wisdom. This sequence, marked by intense buildup, reflects the broader thematic undercurrents of Kurosawa's work: the coexistence of courage and humility, strength and restraint. Despite initial skepticism due to its unexpected development from a non-sequential screenplay, "Sanjuro" stands as a testament to Kurosawa and Mifune’s symbiotic partnership, cementing its status amidst cinema's historic collaborations. This Criterion release not only honors Kurosawa's legacy with pristine visual and audio restoration but also enriches the "Sanjuro" viewing experience with insightful extras that delve into its making, ensuring that both fans and newcomers can appreciate the nuances of this classic samurai tale.

The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of Akira Kurosawa's "Sanjuro" continues to uphold the high standard set by their previous Kurosawa releases, such as "Yojimbo." The anticipation for Criterion's eventual release of "Seven Samurai" has only been heightened by the evident care and quality invested in these editions. "Sanjuro," while occasionally overshadowed by its predecessor, "Yojimbo," due to some narrative and pacing issues, nevertheless delivers a compelling, insightful cinematic experience. The Blu-ray boasts exceptional audio and video restoration, ensuring that Kurosawa's nuanced visuals and dynamic storytelling resonate as powerfully today as they did at the film's original release. Criterion's dedication to providing a substantial package is also clear from the substantial extras included, making this release an essential acquisition for aficionados of Japanese cinema and Kurosawa's oeuvre.

The technical aspects of this release cannot be overstated. Criterion has once again demonstrated their commitment to quality, with a transfer that brings out the intricate details and contrasts of the black-and-white cinematography, alongside an audio restoration that preserves the film's original sonic atmosphere. This meticulous attention to restoration enhances the viewing experience, underscoring the timeless relevance of Kurosawa's direction and the film's thematic depth. Furthermore, the inclusion of a robust selection of extras adds valuable context to both "Sanjuro" and its place within Kurosawa's legendary filmography, providing fans and newcomers alike with insights into its creation and impact.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "Sanjuro" by Criterion is an exemplary model of how classic films should be presented in the modern era. Despite the film's occasional shortcomings when compared to its iconic predecessor, this release offers a definitive viewing experience through its superior audio-visual quality and enriching supplementary materials. As we eagerly anticipate Criterion's treatment of "Seven Samurai," "Sanjuro" stands as a testament to both Kurosawa's genius and Criterion's dedication to cinema preservation. This release is highly recommended for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the pinnacle of Japanese filmmaking or expand their collection with meticulously restored classics.