This podcast focuses on Criterion’s Eclipse Series of DVDs. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each box and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this episode, David and Trevor discuss Eclipse Series 23: The First Films of Akira Kurosawa.About the films:Years before Akira Kurosawa changed the face of cinema with such iconic works as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, and Yojimbo, he made his start in the Japanese film industry with four popular and exceptional works, created as World War II raged. All gripping dramas, those rare first films—Sanshiro Sugata; The Most Beautiful; Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two; and The Men Who Tread on the Tiger’s Tail—are collected here and include a two-part martial arts saga, a portrait of female volunteers helping the war effort, and a kabuki-derived tale of deception. These captivating films are a glorious introduction to a peerless career.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or in iTunes.Timeline for the podcast:Introduction/News/Background (Sanshiro Sugata (Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two (The Most Beautiful (The Men Who Tread on the Tiger’s Tail (Conclusion (Buy The Box Set On Amazon:EPISODE LINKSDirector Overview:Akira Kurosawa page on Senses of Cinema by Dan HarperEncyclopedia Brittanica article on Kurosawa by Tadao SatoBox Set Reviews:Criterion Cast review by David BlakesleeDVD Verdict review by Dan ManciniFilm Intuition review by Jen JohansSlant review by Christian BlauveltSanshiro Sugata:David’s Journey Through the Eclipse Series reviewBright Lights Film Journal review by Brian LibbyKung Fu Cinema review by Albert ValentinWhere the Long Tail Ends review by Robert ReinekeSanshiro Sugata, Part Two: David’s Journey Through the Eclipse Series reviewWhere the Long Tail Ends review by Robert ReinekeKung Fu Cinema review by Albert ValentinCan’t Stop the Movies review by Andrew Hathaway and Kyle MinerThe Most Beautiful:David’s Journey Through the Eclipse Series reviewNew York Times review (from 1987) by Vincent CanbyBrian Camp’s Film and Anime Blog review by Brian CampDefining The Most Beautiful: Women in the Films of Kurosawa 1940-1970 by Sarah Anne LloydThe Men Who Tread on the Tiger’s TailDavid’s Journey Through the Eclipse Series reviewNew York Times review (from 1960) by Howard ThompsonLard Biscuit Enterprises review by D. TrullConstantine in Tokyo review by ConstantineToho Kingdom review by Miles ImhoffContact us:TwitterEmail: theeclipseviewer (at) gmail.comDavid Blakeslee ( Twitter / Website )Trevor Berrett ( Twitter / Website )Next time on the podcast: Eclipse Series 34: Jean Grémillon During the Occupation