A (WAY!) better version of KWAIDAN is out on DVD!

As any horror connoisseur knows, Criterion's edition of Kwaidan, the japanese horror classic from Masaki Kobayashi, was less than stellar. There were scratches, lousy subs, and worse yet: it was cut by 20 - yes, you heard correctly, TWENTY! - minutes.

Now, thanks to the UK-based company Eureka, you can have a very decent version, complete, and with an image quality that put Criterion´s to shame. Just check the two examples (click to enlarge), to see how Criterion tinkered, BADLY, with the color scheme of the movie (Eureka's the second cap). Sure, you need a Region Free DVD player that converts PAL, but that´s not a problem - just check this post here.

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Even the extras are better. While Criterion put only the trailer and a 6-page booklet, Eureka treats us with a 72-page illustrated book with reprints of Lafcadio Hearn's original ghost stories; a survey of the life and career of Masaki Kobayashi by Linda Hoaglund; and a wide-ranging interview with the filmmaker — the last he ever gave! This version will be released May 29, and can be purchased at Amazon.uk. Use the link below; after all, I gave you the news, right?