Terrific review. So helpful. So basically if criterion had applied Dolby Vision it hands down would be the winner here, but given the screenshots you show of what Dolby Vision can do for this film in the BFI version that’s the one I’ll be getting. Fascinating about the differences between the subtitles.
I haven't seen the Criterion 4k but I bought the BFI 4k and was very pleased with transfer - in particular - Blacks were shiny, plenty of details on clothing and overall a very good disk. It is only bettered by North by Northwest 4k - which completely blew me away!
This is exactly the video I was searching for and needed! Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I just ordered both versions yesterday. I like the box art and HDR of BFI so if I were to choose one I think I'd go that way. The screen captures I see for Criterion look too bright and flat. Thank you for this, Adam. What I appreciate so much about your videos is how concise and straight to the point they are. Great job as always!
Thank you for this very helpful comparison! I don’t mind the print damage visible in the BFI version, makes it feel more filmic. The contrast also looks far better on the BFI, I placed my order from Amazon UK. $47 after shipping, not too bad…
Adam! Thank you so much for this comparison! I ordered the BFI version a long time ago, and your video made me feel good about my choice. I also have the criterion blu ray that I've owned forever.
Thank you so much for the comparison. This is really good food for thought. I think I’ll stick with my criterion. I also enjoy the cover art for criterion over the BFI. Tough choice tho. I had I waited to buy for after a video such as this I probably would have went BFI. But I’m happy with what I have and unfortunately will not double dip on this title.
Thanks for putting this comparison together! The screenshots at 4:12 are what swayed me. It seems like BFI simply didn't preserve highlights. It looks like there's a crop to the image on BFI as well. Also a completely personal take, but i'm of the mind that if the director wasn't alive when HDR was invented, I'm not particularly pressed about viewing their film in the format (though i'm admittedly an HDR skeptic.)
I imported the Criterion edition, but considered cancelling and getting the BFI one instead. After not having owned the Blu-ray before, I am very satisfied with the Criterion after the couple of reviews I have seen for both editions.
I'm glad to see someone addressing translation differences between releases, but you're still only comparing the English writing -- how well it reads -- not how accurately it captures the tone and nuance of what's being said in the source language. Two entirely different things.
I bought both and prefer the better overall visuals of the BFI. I don’t mind the BFI subtitles. However, the lack of ending punctuation drives me crazy.
Id say ill always go Criterion, but as a fanatic for THIS film I will be getting the BFI import as well to have both. Either way you cant go wrong with this masterwork
I love getting the BFI's releases, their blu rays are great and I love supporting their work. I love their education, preservation and restoration work they do of film and TV. I've even considered becoming a paying member of their membership society. So seeing them get a massive W like this makes me smile😊😊
Each boyfriend of my daughter was require to watch this movie with me. Each was stunned at the movie and would say, "wow, I never noticed it was 3.5 hours long. It went so quickly."
I have owned criterion discs since the nineties on laserdisc and I have quite a few on dvd. I have not began to collect them on streaming platforms yet.
I bought the BFI version for $35 on Orbit. So only $5 more. But it does come with a poster. And from where i checked, to get that poster, it alone cost nearly the actual movie.
I imported the BFI 4k and I still own the original Criterion blu-ray. The HDR/Dolby Vision to me on the BFI disc makes it worth the upgrade to me. It looks excellent on my Oled. I'll pass on a 4k disc without HDR the only exception would be the "Dollars" trilogy on 4k that doesn't have it.
@@ScruffyWarlord Because He is a sociopath, racist, con man, convicted Felon, grifter. Anyone who supports him is a moron and morally bankrupt. Now if He just had a college to teach all of His moron supporters how to be a con man like him. Oh wait.
If you have a Panasonic player you can get around the region lock. After booting the disc, press Stop, Top Menu, Up, Top Menu. The disc will play like normal.
Invaluable information and review, Adam! Thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed to make my decision. I think what swayed me the most to the BFI is that it seems like the subtitles are closer to the original Japanese language. Nothing takes me out of a foreign film faster than "Americanized" and anachronistic translations. Once again, thank you for this comprehensive and intelligent comparison.
I'm usually not a fan of BFI, but in this case, I'll make an exception. Not only have they done the job right, but they've outclassed Criterion, which is unfortunately something that a lot of boutique labels seem to do lately...
the bfi looks awful just artificially cranked contrast just to try to beat criterion’s better transfer. The screenshots might look better but the actual movie doesn’t look right. Criterion’s is the one to go with.
I'm ok with British subtitles until the inevitable use of "mum" comes up instead of meeting in the middle with "mother". Never a deal breaker but it just takes me out of the setting a bit. I don't think English-speaking native Japanese even use "mum".
Criterion 4K Review: ruclips.net/video/fbVI1kDiQsQ/видео.htmlsi=UmzcxtFjTDn1z9sQ
Affiliate Links:
Criterion: amzn.to/3Vd2TQC
BFI: www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Samurai-Limited-4K-UHD/dp/B0DBVJVZ9W/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2NNIBLT509NED&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.toK-qGX90ynn21VlxEl3SHuH1Bo-tK8Qd6JkUQbz6Wr-QmU1dhPXHaRRCV_L5F-XUCK2hk16j4B1fSE5KWhP4rOzn5L8IIrx2dIq08KsmjM5G82cSI-Gkd86v4NgY9z2QGHtvRdkqJzx5XXkwt_hipXGSBqUmSCE8CrN0qynfWk.9Ms1_MJjV0mVuEacGaWbZyE4hBGppE9uImbg_RgQGfI&dib_tag=se&keywords=seven+samurai+4k&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732638056&sprefix=seven+sa%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1
Terrific review. So helpful.
So basically if criterion had applied Dolby Vision it hands down would be the winner here, but given the screenshots you show of what Dolby Vision can do for this film in the BFI version that’s the one I’ll be getting.
Fascinating about the differences between the subtitles.
Thank you for all your efforts putting together a fantastic review!
I haven't seen the Criterion 4k but I bought the BFI 4k and was very pleased with transfer - in particular - Blacks were shiny, plenty of details on clothing and overall a very good disk. It is only bettered by North by Northwest 4k - which completely blew me away!
This is exactly the video I was searching for and needed! Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I just ordered both versions yesterday. I like the box art and HDR of BFI so if I were to choose one I think I'd go that way. The screen captures I see for Criterion look too bright and flat. Thank you for this, Adam. What I appreciate so much about your videos is how concise and straight to the point they are. Great job as always!
Extremely interesting comparison Adam, cheers mate 👍
Thank you for this very helpful comparison! I don’t mind the print damage visible in the BFI version, makes it feel more filmic. The contrast also looks far better on the BFI, I placed my order from Amazon UK. $47 after shipping, not too bad…
Having the older BD from Criterion for me was clear to pick the BFI this time, having all the extra this way and a solid 4k HDR from BFI
Adam! Thank you so much for this comparison! I ordered the BFI version a long time ago, and your video made me feel good about my choice. I also have the criterion blu ray that I've owned forever.
Definitely keep that one for the extras. 👍
The BFI version is amazing
Thank you so much for the comparison. This is really good food for thought. I think I’ll stick with my criterion. I also enjoy the cover art for criterion over the BFI. Tough choice tho. I had I waited to buy for after a video such as this I probably would have went BFI. But I’m happy with what I have and unfortunately will not double dip on this title.
Thanks for putting this comparison together!
The screenshots at 4:12 are what swayed me. It seems like BFI simply didn't preserve highlights. It looks like there's a crop to the image on BFI as well.
Also a completely personal take, but i'm of the mind that if the director wasn't alive when HDR was invented, I'm not particularly pressed about viewing their film in the format (though i'm admittedly an HDR skeptic.)
The director wasn’t alive when 4K came around either so why would you buy a 4K version & watch it in that format ?😅
@@nathanthomas5133 hdr alters the image in a way that wasn't originally intended, whereas 4k is just a more faithful presentation.
Since it's one of my favorite movies of all time I bought both...
Great and thorough comparison. I just got the Criterion 4k and will sell my Blu-ray. Might also get the BFI. My favorite film.
I’m not much for owning 2 versions, but this one is an exception.
I imported the Criterion edition, but considered cancelling and getting the BFI one instead. After not having owned the Blu-ray before, I am very satisfied with the Criterion after the couple of reviews I have seen for both editions.
That's pretty helpful thanks. It does seem like a toss up I wish we could blend the best aspects from both. Have fun with the new TV !
If there was some way to put in Criterion’s subtitles for the BFI version that would be the definitive version for me
I appreciate the review. Tough call!
Nice comparison video. Would be curious to see more of these i.e. StudioCanal vs. 4Kult, etc.
Thanks, Adam! Summing up: "nobody's perfect"! 😂😂
I imported the BFi and happy with that.
Thank you for this - I’ve been on the fence. Did Criterion ever publish any reasoning for not completing an HDR pass?
They didn’t want to spend the $$$
Very interesting review thanks! Now I will compare with the French one later this month. The french edition does not have HDR too.
Great video, Adam. Thanks!
Thank you once again. I have both and are unopened.
I'm glad to see someone addressing translation differences between releases, but you're still only comparing the English writing -- how well it reads -- not how accurately it captures the tone and nuance of what's being said in the source language. Two entirely different things.
I already owned the 1080p criterion and decided to import BFI’s
Same.
Great job Adam, thank you ❤
Bravo! Thank you very much 🙏🏽
I ended up buying both but this video analysis is great and very informative. 👍🏽👍🏽
Just ordered this .
Great upload 👌👌👌
Did anybody notice that the highlights were blown without detail in some BFI scenes? Like in the minute 4:20 of the video.
I bought both and prefer the better overall visuals of the BFI. I don’t mind the BFI subtitles. However, the lack of ending punctuation drives me crazy.
Id say ill always go Criterion, but as a fanatic for THIS film I will be getting the BFI import as well to have both. Either way you cant go wrong with this masterwork
How far do you sit from your OLED? Thanks!
Thanks. I was looking for a full video on this subject a couple months ago, but couldn't find any.
My 2 favorite films: seven samurai and the Empire strikes back
I’ll be sticking with Criterion as I don’t really feel like importing. Glad it’s still a quality release
Due to the popularity of this release, it's becoming readily available locally. I see that Amazon already has it.
Thanks Adam
I love getting the BFI's releases, their blu rays are great and I love supporting their work.
I love their education, preservation and restoration work they do of film and TV.
I've even considered becoming a paying member of their membership society.
So seeing them get a massive W like this makes me smile😊😊
BFI was an easy call for me as I have an am keeping my Criterion blu ray.
Each boyfriend of my daughter was require to watch this movie with me. Each was stunned at the movie and would say, "wow, I never noticed it was 3.5 hours long. It went so quickly."
I have owned criterion discs since the nineties on laserdisc and I have quite a few on dvd. I have not began to collect them on streaming platforms yet.
If it's that close then just buy the one that is available to you in your country. No need to spend extra money to import.
I bought the BFI version for $35 on Orbit. So only $5 more. But it does come with a poster. And from where i checked, to get that poster, it alone cost nearly the actual movie.
I imported the BFI 4k and I still own the original Criterion blu-ray. The HDR/Dolby Vision to me on the BFI disc makes it worth the upgrade to me. It looks excellent on my Oled. I'll pass on a 4k disc without HDR the only exception would be the "Dollars" trilogy on 4k that doesn't have it.
I feel like the subtitle difference between the two releases is significant. Almost no punctuation and sometimes too direct language in BFI.
Yeah that’s an absolute deal breaker for me
wasn't a problem when my wife and I watched it earlier.
Is the 4k worth the upgrade over the blu ray criterion?
ruclips.net/video/fbVI1kDiQsQ/видео.htmlsi=UmzcxtFjTDn1z9sQ
Its worth noting that the Special features are locked to region B as they are put on the bluray. Really sucks that they do this.
Move to Europe, son. We don't have that problem. And you'll escape Trump. Win-win!
@@SpaceCattttt Why would we want to escape Trump?
@@ScruffyWarlordone reason would be tarrifs affecting physical media prices because pretty much everything is coming from Mexico
@@ScruffyWarlord Because He is a sociopath, racist, con man, convicted Felon, grifter. Anyone who supports him is a moron and morally bankrupt. Now if He just had a college to teach all of His moron supporters how to be a con man like him. Oh wait.
If you have a Panasonic player you can get around the region lock. After booting the disc, press Stop, Top Menu, Up, Top Menu. The disc will play like normal.
3:34 if anyone wants to click it over and over again like i did
Invaluable information and review, Adam! Thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed to make my decision. I think what swayed me the most to the BFI is that it seems like the subtitles are closer to the original Japanese language. Nothing takes me out of a foreign film faster than "Americanized" and anachronistic translations. Once again, thank you for this comprehensive and intelligent comparison.
BFI contrast and more accurate translation and better audio and Dolby Vision make it a no brained for me
I'm usually not a fan of BFI, but in this case, I'll make an exception. Not only have they done the job right, but they've outclassed Criterion, which is unfortunately
something that a lot of boutique labels seem to do lately...
BFI have been outclassing Criterion on the regular since Blu-ray.
the bfi looks awful just artificially cranked contrast just to try to beat criterion’s better transfer. The screenshots might look better but the actual movie doesn’t look right. Criterion’s is the one to go with.
Yawn, you need an eye test 🤡
I'm ok with British subtitles until the inevitable use of "mum" comes up instead of meeting in the middle with "mother". Never a deal breaker but it just takes me out of the setting a bit. I don't think English-speaking native Japanese even use "mum".
Im sure Everyone says Ma or Mum. Our Mothers are a Blessing to us. I love you Ma.
Did Mum come up in the BFI edition?
Are British and American English this different? I mean in writing, not speaking.
How far do you sit from your 77” OLED Adam? Great comparison!!!!
@@brunomachado7279 Yes. British English, King's English is REAL English. Spelt properly. American English is simplified and dumb.
BFI cover sucks.
You need an eye test 🤡