What is the difference between the first and second printings of the original release of Seven Samurai, how can I tell the difference, and why is the first printing worth more as a collectible?
A. The first edition of Seven Samurai had a restoration demo as a special feature (similar to those found on L’Avventura and The Seventh Seal). According to rumor, the studio Criterion licensed the title from (Toho) objected to this demo and asked for it to be removed. Criterion stopped production of the disc and removed the demo. All subsequent copies of the disc do not have the demo. The first edition was also not region encoded. Otherwise, in terms of content, there is no difference between the first and second edition. If there is a region 1 NTSC logo, it’s a second edition. If there is not, it’s a first edition. Also, the UPC for the second edition is in the upper right corner of the back cover, the UPS for the first edition is at the bottom. Either edition may say “First printing” in the text at the bottom. Because so few copies of the disc were made before the demo was removed, the rarity of the first printing has made those discs highly desired among collectors.
