Cruel Story of Youth: The Criterion Collection 4K UHD

The Criterion Collection’s Cruel Story of Youth is a two-disc edition of Nagisa Oshima’s 1959 film, with a 4K UHD disc and a Blu-ray containing the film and special features. The listing describes a 4K restoration and uncompressed monaural soundtrack, alongside two additional films, an interview, a trailer and an essay.

At a glance

The edition includes one 4K UHD disc and one Blu-ray with the film and special features.
The listing specifies a 4K digital restoration with uncompressed monaural soundtrack.
Extras listed include Oshima’s A Town of Love and Hope, the short Tomorrow’s Sun, an interview with film scholar Tony Rayns, a trailer and an essay by Chris Fujiwara.

Price

$44.80Save 27%

Reference price: ~~$61.01~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The two-disc configuration pairs the 4K UHD film with a Blu-ray that includes the film and special features.
The listed extras add two Oshima works and both an interview and a written essay.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Format and language
Media format	4K
Number of discs	2
Language	Japanese
Subtitles	English
Studio	The Criterion Collection

Film details
Run time	1 hour and 37 minutes
Release date	21 July 2026
Actors	Nagisa Oshima

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	2.54 x 2.54 x 2.54 cm; 108.86 Grams

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The plot description centres on teenage lovers who turn to extortion in postwar Tokyo, and characterises the film as a bleak critique of a corrupted society. The listing gives the release date as 21 July 2026, so confirm timing if purchasing before then. Its dimensions and weight are presented together as “2.54 x 2.54 x 2.54 cm; 108.86 Grams”, which does not clarify the measurement basis. Customer ratings are limited in number and vary, so they provide only a cautious snapshot rather than detailed guidance.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers collecting Nagisa Oshima films or Criterion editions who want the film in 4K UHD with a companion Blu-ray.
Buyers interested in Japanese-language cinema with English subtitles and supplementary films and essays.

Less suited to

Buyers looking for a disc-free or streaming-only edition.
Viewers who require a multichannel soundtrack, since the listing specifies monaural audio.

Cruel Story of Youth: The Criterion Collection 4K UHD · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

3.9 / 5 · 6 ratings

5 stars47%47%
4 stars33%33%
3 stars0%0%
2 stars0%0%
1 star20%20%

The aggregate ratings are mixed, with a spread from one-star to five-star responses and no supplied written feedback to explain the reasons. This small rating snapshot does not establish particular strengths or defects. Buyers can assess the edition more concretely from its stated two-disc format, Japanese audio, English subtitles and listed extras.

Frequently asked questions

What discs are included?

The listing specifies one 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features.

What extras are listed?

The Blu-ray features A Town of Love and Hope, Oshima’s short Tomorrow’s Sun, an interview with film scholar Tony Rayns and a trailer. The edition also lists an essay by Chris Fujiwara.

What languages and soundtrack are specified?

The listed language is Japanese, subtitles are English, and the restoration is described as having an uncompressed monaural soundtrack.