HOT 4K NEWS
STUDIOCANAL will release Akira Kurosawa’s final masterpiece “Ran” (1985) on 4K Ultra HD, part of the studio’s UK Vintage World Cinema series on July 19. The German edition street’s four days earlier on July 15.
No word if a U.S. 4K release is on the horizon from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. “Ran” has been beautifully restored in 4K from the 2016 4K master and approved by director of photography Shôji Ueda.
A reimagining of Shakespeare’s King Lear set in feudal Japan, “Ran” tells the story of Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai – Yojimbo, Kagemusha) an aging warlord who, after spending his life consolidating his empire, decides to abdicate and divide his Kingdom amongst his three sons Taro (Akira Terao - Letter from the Mountain, Dreams), Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu – The Man in White, Red Shadow: Akakage) and Saburo (Daisuke Ryû – Tôno Monogatari, Gojo reisenki: Gojoe). This leads to a brutal and bloody war between the brothers for absolute power of the kingdom.
EXTRAS
A.K. – Feature-Length Chris Marker Documentary On Akira Kurosawa
Interview With The Director Of Photography – Shôji Ueda
Interview With Ms. Mieko Harada
Interview With Michael Brooke – Author/Journalist
Stage Appearance At Tokyo International Film Festival 2015
Ran: The Restoration
SPECS:
Video:
4K master from the original camera negative. Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audio:
Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles:
English, French, and German