ACF 393: 25 film Kurosawa box set from Criterion due out in December 8, 2009

I recently received notification of this incredible DVD box set of 25 of Akira Kurosawa's films that is due out December 8, 2009. Four of the films have never before been available on DVD (at least not here in the U.S.):

- Sanshiro Sugata (1943) - Kurosawa's directorial debut
- The Most Beautiful (1944)
- Sanshiro Sugata Part II ((1945)
- The Men Who Tread On The Tiger's Tail (1945)

Madadayo (1993), Kuroswa's final film, has been available but not from Criterion.

I'm pretty sure that Criterion already has more of Kurosawa's films on DVD than any other director. And I have all of the ones issued so far. So I'm hoping that these five films will be issued individually, or perhaps the four from the WWII years will be another Kurosawa Eclipse box set and Madadayo will be available as a separate DVD.

The 25 film box set will carry a hefty Suggested Retail Price of $399.00, but will be available from the Criterion Store for $319.00.

For full info from Criterion or to pre-order, click here.