The Samurai Trilogy (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

These movies are classics, excellent and timeless for me. I love this collection.

I was able to secure a correct regional copy of The criterion Blu-ray and was very pleased.This might be my favorite Japanese film(s) as it follows the classic model of the heroes journey.This Samurai Trilogy collection includes Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto, Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple and Samurai III: Duel at Granryu Island.The three films follow Mushashi Miyamoto from wild rebellious youth to pensive sword-master. The films are based on the novel “Musashi” from the 1930s, and so they include fictional elements, as well as both myth and historical facts. On a side note, the novel is the same source material for the manga Vagabond. So the 1950s Samurai Trilogy and the modern Vagabond manga share this narrative connection which may be of interest to Japanophiles.If you like classic film, then this is set is highly recommended. The cinematography is always excellent and the acting impeccable. Toshiro Mifune is masterful and it’s enjoyable to see him in a classic Samurai movie directed by somebody besides Kurosawa. I also found the love story moving and side characters believable. The fact that this trilogy is also shot in color gives these films an ethereal grandeur that almost pulls it out of its own time.The Samurai Trilogy is not to be missed by anyone that loves classic storytelling, traditional drama, the hero’s journey and swordsmanship of a bygone age.

has everything romance morality swordsmanship spiritualism courage been watching here and there always see something new, very realistic samurai action a great actor plays musashi-classic!

The first and favorite trilogy my mom introduced me to as a kid after "Seven Samurai" in the 60s. Before technology, I had to wait until a film festival showed the trilogy or recently as separate films on satellite. I last binge-watched the three films in a theater at a '70s Berkeley festival. Now, I can watch at home on a big screen with surround sound. Epic.

Good

This is by far my favorite set of Samurai movies and I have seen a lot of them. I find it thoroughly compelling from start to finish. It really feels like 1 movie. The action in this movie is not amazing but still has an important role and feels real enough. I think of this set as a story of what it means to be a man. I just wish they would have went one step further and showed us the last chapter of Musashi's life. I give it my highest recommendation! Mifune starts out doing what he does best by being a very rough around the edges character and then moving on slowly towards being a truly wise man. Lots of fun and very moving. It is simply the best of it's kind and truly overlooked by modern fans of the Samurai genre, probably due to the lack of uber violence and gore which is sad because this story has both plenty of action if you wait for it and is a beautiful story. I also REALLY like the blu-ray transfer.

This movie is absolutely breath taking. The cinamatography is some of the most beautiful shots I have ever seen. The movie is based off the real life adventures of Myamoto Musashi, one of the greatest swordsman of all time. If you are into samurai, or are into collecting the greatest classics of all time, then this is A MUST HAVE! The acting in this is top notch, which is rare most japanese actors strike me off as being stale with their acting, but Toshiro Milfune and the rest of the cast deliver some of the most steller performances to ever grace japanese film. This movie is on par with Citizen Kane, The Godfather, and Metropolis, in its grandness. Once I watched the first one I immediately had to watch the other two movies in this trilogy. Yes, the drama is that intense! From the scene were a monk hangs Musashi from a tree to starve to death, to the scene were Musashi takes on 80 men at once in combat, to the epic beach side dual with his arch-rival. Buy this today. You will not be disappointed. PS. Kill Bill fans should love this one.

The main thing missing is the much anticipated commentary track. I got so used to Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and others that I got spoiled with. I know this is not a Kurosawa masterpiece but it's still a masterpiece on its own. Wish they had a commentary track with Stephen Prince. Anyways...for each of the 3 films, William Wilson, gives the historical info on the real Musashi Miyamoto and how it relates to the film where many parts are fictitious for entertainment purposes and you'll find them in the "supplements" section.They put the 2 bluray discs on one spindle which is divided top and bottom and the booklet on the left side on a single bluray case. I have a slight gripe about this set up. First, the films can't be sold separately because 2 movies are on 1 50gb bluray dual layer and the 3rd movie is on the 2nd bluray 25gb single layer. So, wanting a collector's item goes right out the door due to not having individualized packaging just like Yojimbo and Sanjuro.The films are in it's original 1.33:1 aspect ratio at 1080p HD and amazon's listing at 1.77:1 is incorrect. When viewing on your widescreen TV, you'll see 2 black bars to the sides just like Seven Samurai. The picture quality is definitely leaps and bounds superior to that of the 2004 criterion DVD release. The colors are vibrant and the contrast is maxed out. Almost feels like I'm watching something new entirely. Some might be turned off by the heavy grain quality but keep in mind this film is old. In todays standards with recent films, the grainy quality would be unacceptable. Audio has been improved as well with a noticeable higher Mhz monaural. If you're watching on a 120Hz or 240Hz refresh rate TV, go ahead and turn them off, it gets distracting with the blurriness of movements.Recommended.