Criterion Collection releases new 4K restorations of Godzilla and the Seven Samurai

If you love classic Japanese films, the Criterion Collection is the place to be in November. In addition to some older films, there are also many other classics for cinephiles on the program.

IndieWire reports that the Criterion Collection’s November 2024 fall releases are designed to appeal to a broad audience of physical media collectors. From typical movie musicals to Oscar-winning science fiction to 1930s gangster films, the distributor has a lot to offer. Most excitingly, though, Seven Samurai And Godzilla not only get a Blu-ray release, but a new face.

Godzilla's origins and history, explained

The most famous monster in film history has several origin stories, but is Godzilla based on a true story or is it just fiction?

Earlier this year, Blu-ray announced that Seven Samurai would be re-released in 4K with a variety of special features. These include some film specials, art related to the film, and conversations with Asian film critics. In conjunction with this Godzillaanother Japanese major film, will also be released in 4K. This is the first time that it will be released individually and not via the “Godzilla: The Films of the Showa Era, 1954-1975” box set for those who only want to own the 1954 film. Although both have been part of the Criterion Collection for some time, they have not been restored – until this November. Godzilla boosted the entire Kaiju franchise and Seven Samurai was the main inspiration for the Western The twelve jurors, Both are inextricably linked to modern cinema and would more than deserve a restoration.

Other exciting publications

In addition to the fantastic news about the 4K restorations, four other popular titles are being re-released physically through Criterion Collection. The adaptation of the 1968 musical Funny girl is part of this introduction – groundbreaking for many, many reasons – but perhaps the most important is Barbra Streisand’s film debut. She nabbed an Oscar for Best Actress for her first ever nomination. Other titles include Paper Moonwith the father-daughter duo Ryan and Tatum O'Neal in the leading roles, the version from 1932 Scarfaceby modern fantasy author Guillermo Del Toro Shape of Water – The Secret of Waterand finally a Japanese film (albeit New Wave), Demon Pond.

The Criterion Collection also has a streaming service called the Criterion Channel, where arthouse films, foreign films, and other major films are available by subscription. Godzilla is available for streaming there. The titles mentioned can be pre-ordered.

Source: IndieWire