I finished the Criterion last night, it's obviously the best it has ever looked for home video up until now. I may add the BFI version also. Just having a different commentary and extras is worth the cost. For those who can't play content from other regions, you need to get an all region player now while you still can. You can thank me in 2035.
The BFI release states that it has an updated and improved set of subtitles; which is especially important to someone like me who doesn't understand Japanese. Does the Criterion release have this too?
@@hblanche As far as I can tell, the subtitles on the Criterion 4K release are the same as they were on the Criterion Blu-ray release (someone may be able to confirm that who has both, though). The reason the BFI release advertises updated and improved subtitles is because it was one of the criticisms of their past release of the film. So for this 4K, they’ve updated them. I didn’t mention it in the review, but I’d still take the Criterion subtitle track over the BFI track, if I could put together my own release, but the BFI subtitles were sufficient. Great question, thanks!
Great review. I ordered this one from Amazon in the U.K. and it should arrive at my home in Canada this week. I'm looking forward to it. I won't be able to access the locked Blu-ray but that's OK - I knew that when I placed my order, as I already own the BFI's 4K editions of the Seventh Seal and the Elephant Man. Regardless, I wanted the BFI version of Seven Samurai because I hate the Criterion packaging and I already own Criterion's Blu-rays, which have more than I need when it comes to extra features. By the way, that thicker plastic case is the standard size for Blu-rays from Europe. 😀
YES! Of course they are the standard Europe cases, lol. I didn't even think about that, but do have multiple in my collection, haha! Anyway, thanks for that, and I hope you enjoy your copy once it arrives! Thanks again, Rob!
I did not think about the special features being on a bluray and region locked. That sucks but I've never saw special features but for this film I might've.
Yeah, that’s the only real downside of this release. The Criterion bonus features are comparable, though, so it may be the better way to go if you do care about the bonus features. Thanks!
@@Cinefessions Honestly maybe. I don't care for special feature though as i never once watched them (nor read any of them booklets). But i love this film and there are hours of special features.
Never heard of BFI before. Not sure I care enough about HDR to buy this one, but I do like the booklet and that it comes in an actual case rather than a digipack.
@@chrisjfox8715 That will probably depend on how much of a fan of the movie you are. Criterion are nowadays sadly notorious for their very middling and sometimes terrible encodes because they refuse to work with a (more) competent encoding vendor.
The BFI disc not only has Dolby Vision HDR but also has a higher bitrate and better compression. It’s hands down the definitive 4K release.
@@PrimeMover93 Thanks for the info!!
I finished the Criterion last night, it's obviously the best it has ever looked for home video up until now. I may add the BFI version also. Just having a different commentary and extras is worth the cost. For those who can't play content from other regions, you need to get an all region player now while you still can. You can thank me in 2035.
@@CaryStegall Goad you enjoyed the Criterion 4K, and totally agree that region-free is the way to be! Thanks for watching.
The BFI release states that it has an updated and improved set of subtitles; which is especially important to someone like me who doesn't understand Japanese. Does the Criterion release have this too?
@@hblanche As far as I can tell, the subtitles on the Criterion 4K release are the same as they were on the Criterion Blu-ray release (someone may be able to confirm that who has both, though). The reason the BFI release advertises updated and improved subtitles is because it was one of the criticisms of their past release of the film. So for this 4K, they’ve updated them. I didn’t mention it in the review, but I’d still take the Criterion subtitle track over the BFI track, if I could put together my own release, but the BFI subtitles were sufficient. Great question, thanks!
Great review. I ordered this one from Amazon in the U.K. and it should arrive at my home in Canada this week. I'm looking forward to it.
I won't be able to access the locked Blu-ray but that's OK - I knew that when I placed my order, as I already own the BFI's 4K editions of the Seventh Seal and the Elephant Man. Regardless, I wanted the BFI version of Seven Samurai because I hate the Criterion packaging and I already own Criterion's Blu-rays, which have more than I need when it comes to extra features.
By the way, that thicker plastic case is the standard size for Blu-rays from Europe. 😀
YES! Of course they are the standard Europe cases, lol. I didn't even think about that, but do have multiple in my collection, haha! Anyway, thanks for that, and I hope you enjoy your copy once it arrives! Thanks again, Rob!
I did not think about the special features being on a bluray and region locked. That sucks but I've never saw special features but for this film I might've.
Yeah, that’s the only real downside of this release. The Criterion bonus features are comparable, though, so it may be the better way to go if you do care about the bonus features. Thanks!
@@Cinefessions Honestly maybe. I don't care for special feature though as i never once watched them (nor read any of them booklets). But i love this film and there are hours of special features.
being in Uk, i have the old criterion blu ray and brought the 4k BFI on Saturday. Happy. The poster is going up during xmas.
That’s great! It’s a beautiful poster. Thanks for watching!
Like you i've got the best of both worlds. I'v got the old Criterion Blu-Ray and the new BFI 4K.
Never heard of BFI before.
Not sure I care enough about HDR to buy this one, but I do like the booklet and that it comes in an actual case rather than a digipack.
BFI - contrast is better, Criterion blacks are more charcol grey
Great to know! Thanks for the input, and the comment!
I have both copies on 4K the BFI version looks better.
Great to know! Thanks for sharing, and for watching.
Is it an extra $20-$30 better?
@@chrisjfox8715 That will probably depend on how much of a fan of the movie you are. Criterion are nowadays sadly notorious for their very middling and sometimes terrible encodes because they refuse to work with a (more) competent encoding vendor.