'The Samurai Trilogy' Bound for Blu-ray

Hiroshi Inagaki's sweeping three-part epic is getting the Criterion Blu-ray treatment this summer.

In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is working on 'The Samurai Trilogy' for Blu-ray on June 26.

'The Samurai Trilogy,' directed by Hiroshi Inagaki and starring the inimitable Toshiro Mifune, was one of Japan’s most successful exports of the 1950s, a rousing, emotionally gripping tale of combat and self-discovery.

'Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto'(1954) -- In the first part of the epic 'Samurai Trilogy,' Toshiro Mifune thunders onto the screen as the iconic title character.

'Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple' (1955) -- Toshiro Mifune furiously embodies swordsman Musashi Miyamoto as he comes into his own in the action-packed middle section of the 'Samurai Trilogy.'

'Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island' (1956) -- A disillusioned Musashi Miyamoto (Toshiro Mifune) has turned his back on the samurai life, becoming a farmer in a remote village, while his nemesis Kojiro (Koji Tsurata) now works for the shogun.

The Blu-ray will feature a 1080p transfer, an uncompressed mono soundtrack, and supplements include: New interviews with translator and historian William Scott Wilson about the real-life Musashi Miyamoto, the inspiration for the hero of the films; Trailers; and a booklet featuring essays by film historian Stephen Prince and Wilson.

Suggested list price for the 2-disc Blu-ray is $69.95.

You can find the latest specs for 'The Samurai Trilogy' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 26.