Hidden Fortress (The Criterion Collection) Blu-ray

Hidden Fortress from The Criterion Collection presents Akira Kurosawa’s adventure film on Blu-ray, with a 2K digital restoration and several supplementary features. The listing describes a 2-hour-and-19-minute widescreen release, while its language details are inconsistent, so buyers should confirm the intended audio and subtitle options.

At a glance

Includes a new 2K digital restoration with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack, according to the listing.
Audio extras include an alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack and commentary by film historian Stephen Prince.
The listed extras also include a making-of documentary, a George Lucas interview, a trailer and a booklet essay.

Price

$19.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$39.95~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The single-disc edition combines a restoration with a substantial set of listed extras.
The alternate 5.1 soundtrack is presented alongside the uncompressed mono soundtrack.

Technical specifications

13 specifications

Film and disc
Genre	Action & Adventure
Format	Widescreen
Runtime	2 hours and 19 minutes
Number of discs	1
Release date	March 29, 2016
Studio	Criterion Collection
Director	Akira Kurosawa
Contributors	Akira Kurosawa, Minoru Chiaki, Toshiro Mifune
Actors	Minoru Chiaki, Toshiro Mifune

Audio, subtitles and edition features
Language	English
Language listed in product details	Italian (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Special features	New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack - Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack preserving the original Perspecta simulated stereo effects, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio - New audio commentary by film historian Stephen Prince, author of The Warrior s Camera: The Cinema of Akira Kurosawa - Documentary from 2003 on the making of the film, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create - Interview from 2001 with filmmaker George Lucas about Kurosawa - Trailer - New English subtitle translation - PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Catherine Russell

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 3.21 ounces

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The language information is contradictory: details list English and Italian (Dolby Digital 5.1), while the description identifies an uncompressed mono soundtrack and an alternate 5.1 soundtrack. Confirm the audio tracks and subtitle options before buying. The aspect-ratio field says “Unknown” despite the separate Widescreen format listing. The listed dimensions are package details, not a stated screen or film aspect ratio.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers seeking Akira Kurosawa’s adventure film with restoration and archival-style supplementary features.
Collectors who value a commentary, documentary, filmmaker interview and booklet essay.

Less suited to

Buyers specifically seeking a 4K UHD edition, since this listing is for Blu-ray.
Buyers who need confirmed audio-language or aspect-ratio details before purchase without checking the selected listing.

Hidden Fortress (The Criterion Collection) Blu-ray · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.8 / 5 · 1,484 ratings

5 stars85%85%
4 stars11%11%
3 stars3%3%
2 stars0%0%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback is strongly favorable toward the film, highlighting its story, acting—especially Toshiro Mifune’s performance—humor, cinematography and rewatchability. Customers also appreciate its influence on Star Wars. For viewers interested in the film itself, these reactions align with the listing’s description of a humorous adventure, while they do not establish the disc’s playback or restoration quality. A small share of ratings are low, but the supplied feedback does not explain why.

Positive themes

Customers praise the story, acting, humor and cinematography.
Customers describe the film as entertaining and enjoyable on repeat viewings.

Frequently asked questions

What video edition is listed?

It is listed as a widescreen Blu-ray with a new 2K digital restoration. The format does not indicate a 4K UHD disc.

What special features are described?

The listing names commentary by Stephen Prince, a making-of documentary, a George Lucas interview, a trailer, a new English subtitle translation and a booklet essay.

What audio tracks are specified?

The description names an uncompressed monaural soundtrack and an alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack. The details also list English and Italian (Dolby Digital 5.1), so confirm the available tracks for this edition.