I had both until a two days ago. I sold my Criterion. The Criterion has less visible damage ( better restoration) but the BFI contrast is so much better. The movie looks more alive. And it’s much more noticeable than the difference in damaged frames. For me it was an easy choice.
Although the subtitles are very different and Criterion did extensive damage repair, more than BFI. So I would say it is a preference thing which one is definitive.
@@awesomereviews1561Do you have both or are you trusting the caps? The contrast is not wildly different but the BFI does go a bit far with black crush. The Criterion is a bit flat in comparison for sure but it is more a preference thing with this one as I'm sure many will appreciate the extensive damage repair. It's a bit of a trade off between them.
I have the criterion blu-ray. And, if they would've added more special features & updated the booklet in the criterion, then I would've gone for it. But, I bought the BFI instead because of the special features and addition of a new commentary track. I have the original BFI Blu-ray & there's no commentary track. So, that's why I got it instead. Plus, the new book. So, I'll be having a Kurosawa binge very soon. Just started with Rashomon & watched my BFI Seven Samurai. Tonight's entertainment will be Throne of Blood.
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.
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.
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!
I had both. The Criterion subtitles are very simplified, more American. The BFI is closer to the original Japanese. Both are good in their own way. But the contrast of the BFI is much better than the Criterion one. So I kept the BFI.
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.
@@Chrisratata 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.
@@Chrisratata in Europe the BFI is also cheaper than the Criterion one ( about 29 euros) so it’s an easy choice. I don’t know if it’s 30 bucks better for an US customer but the contrast is clearly much better on the BFI one.
I had both until a two days ago. I sold my Criterion. The Criterion has less visible damage ( better restoration) but the BFI contrast is so much better. The movie looks more alive. And it’s much more noticeable than the difference in damaged frames. For me it was an easy choice.
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!!
Although the subtitles are very different and Criterion did extensive damage repair, more than BFI. So I would say it is a preference thing which one is definitive.
@@tuc0339 The Criterion has less damaged frame for sure, but the BFI contrast is much better and it’s much more noticeable.
@@awesomereviews1561Do you have both or are you trusting the caps? The contrast is not wildly different but the BFI does go a bit far with black crush. The Criterion is a bit flat in comparison for sure but it is more a preference thing with this one as I'm sure many will appreciate the extensive damage repair. It's a bit of a trade off between them.
I have the criterion blu-ray. And, if they would've added more special features & updated the booklet in the criterion, then I would've gone for it. But, I bought the BFI instead because of the special features and addition of a new commentary track. I have the original BFI Blu-ray & there's no commentary track. So, that's why I got it instead. Plus, the new book. So, I'll be having a Kurosawa binge very soon.
Just started with Rashomon & watched my BFI Seven Samurai. Tonight's entertainment will be Throne of Blood.
Reminds me of the close encounters blu ray I bought year's ago with the cool booklet and poster...still my favourite release
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.
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!
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!
I had both. The Criterion subtitles are very simplified, more American. The BFI is closer to the original Japanese. Both are good in their own way. But the contrast of the BFI is much better than the Criterion one. So I kept the BFI.
@@awesomereviews1561 Thanks. Glad I preordered by BFI version months ago. Watching it in the next couple of days.
Like you i've got the best of both worlds. I'v got the old Criterion Blu-Ray and the new BFI 4K.
BFI - contrast is better, Criterion blacks are more charcol grey
Great to know! Thanks for the input, and the comment!
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.
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?
@@Chrisratata 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.
@@Chrisratata in Europe the BFI is also cheaper than the Criterion one ( about 29 euros) so it’s an easy choice. I don’t know if it’s 30 bucks better for an US customer but the contrast is clearly much better on the BFI one.
Don't watch the remake of The Magnificent Seven. Watch the original from 1960. The remake with Denzel & Chris Pratt is crap