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Kurosawa's noir policier Stray Dog on Blu-ray and Digital in January

18 December 2024

A masterful mix of film noir and police thriller set on the sweltering mean streets of occupied Tōkyō, Kurosawa Akira's 1949 feature Stray Dog [Nora inu] stars Kurosawa regulars Mifune Toshirō and Shimura Takashi. On 27 January (previously listed as 20 January) the BFI brings it to Blu-ray for the first time in the UK (alongside the BFI Blu-ray release of the director's 1963 High and Low [Tengoku to jigoku]), newly restored in 4K resolution by Toho Co., Ltd using an original 35mm master positive element and presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1. Special features include a newly recorded audio commentary.

When rookie detective Murakami (Mifune Toshirō) has his pistol stolen from his pocket, his frantic attempts to track down the thief lead him to an illegal weapons market in the Tōkyō underworld. But the gun has already passed from the pickpocket to a young gangster, and is soon identified as the firearm used in a shooting. Murakami is overwhelmed with remorse and turns for help to his older and more experienced senior, Sato (a superb performance by Shimura Takashi). The race is on to find the gunman before he can strike again…

Stray Dog Blu-ray cover art

Stray Dog will be released on UK Blu-ray, iTunes and Amazon Prime by the BFI on 27 January 2025 at the RRP of £19.99 for the Blu-ray.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

  • Newly recorded audio commentary by Japanese-Australian filmmaker Kenta McGrath
  • A Japanese Tale (2024, 31 mins): Kurosawa scholar Jasper Sharp discusses Stray Dog and its position within the director's cinematic oeuvre
  • Kurosawa Akira: It is Wonderful to Create – Stray Dog (2002, 32 mins): a Toho documentary short examining Kurosawa's compelling crime drama in detail
  • First pressing only: Illustrated booklet with a new writing on the film by Barry Forshaw, an archival essay by Philip Kemp, Akira Kurosawa writing on the film, notes on the special features and film credits

 

The Japanese convention of family name first has been used for Japanese names in this news story.