The Blind Swordsman - Zatoichi/Sonatine [2 Discs] [DVD]

Two features from idiosyncratic Japanese filmmaker Takeshi Kitano (aka Beat Takeshi) are paired up for this double-disc DVD release. The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi and Sonatine have both been given a letterboxed transfer to disc in the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1, which have also been enhanced for anamorphic play on 16 x 9 monitors. The original Japanese-language audio for The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi has been mastered in Dolby Digital 5.1, as well as a dubbed English-language version; optional subtitles in English, Spanish, and French are also available. Bonus materials included with this title include a short documentary on the making of the film and interviews with director of photography Katsumi Yanagishima, production designer Norihiro Isoda, costumer Kazuko Kurosawa, and swordsman Tatsumi Nikamoto. Sonatine features both original Japanese and dubbed French tracks in Dolby Digital Surround, in addition to optional subtitles in English and Spanish. As a bonus, the title includes an introduction and afterword from Quentin Tarantino and an interview with Takeshi Kitano. Both discs include a collection of trailers for other Miramax titles.