Studio Canal has released this classic western onto Blu-ray and UHD with a stunning new 4K remaster.
The film stars Charles Bronson, Toshiro Mifune, Alain Delon and Ursula Andress and is directed by Terence Young.
RED SUN is based on a true American Wild West 1870 story. When his gang betrays outlaw Link (Charles Bronson) during a train robbery, he is forced by the Japanese Ambassador to help regain a priceless sword stolen by Link’s double-crossing partner Gauche (Alain Delon).
Although Samurai Kuroda (Toshiro Mifune) plans to kill Gauche straight away, Link needs him alive to find the loot from their last robbery. Joined in an uneasy alliance, they have only seven days to find Gauche or Kuroda must follow his samurai code of honour and die by his own sword.
Charles Bronson is having a lot of fun in this role, his unwilling partnership with Toshiro Mifune works well and the two gradually build a mutual respect. Alain Delon is a good and vicious bad guy and even if he is only in the film at the beginning and end plays his part well.
Ursula Andress stars as Gauche’s love interest Cristina who is feisty and strong and you don’t know what way she is going to turn.
This is a quirky but very enjoyable Eastern / Western and the action when it comes is fast and at times brutal. But the humour is also prominent with Bronson trying many times to outwit the Samurai but failing miserably each time. This film from 1971 is ahead of its time and a good showcase for the stars and director.
The new 4K remaster is clear and a lot of detail and texture is on show, the colours are vibrant if a bit drab which was probably the intention. Audio gives you a nice vibrant original mono track with punchy bass.
The extras are a little slim but good. You have On the set of Red Sun – Extract from Pour le cinema, circa 1971with on set interviews with all the main stars and director. Fascinating stuff, just wish it was a bit longer.
You also have an Interview with Steven Okazaki – about 20 minutes where he talks about the legend Toshiro Mifune.
A very good release with a Stella remaster.
7.5 out of 10
