Seven Samurai (1954)

• Year: 1954
• Released: 19 Nov 1956
• Country: Japan
• Adwords: Nominated for 2 Oscars. 5 wins & 8 nominations total
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047478/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seven_samurai
• Metacritics: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/seven-samurai-1954
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: Japanese
• MPA Rating: Not Rated
• Genre: Action, Drama
• Runtime: 207 min
• Writer: Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni
• Director: Akira Kurosawa
• Cast: Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima
• Keywords: martial arts, japan, battle, village, samurai,

	8.6/10
	98/100

Seven Samurai Storyline

Fed up with the annual hit-and-run raids by a marauding gang of ferocious bandits, the peaceful farmers of a small sixteenth-century Japanese community summon up the courage to take matters into their own hands, dispatching the hot-headed villager, Rikichi, to bring help. When the farmer returns to the village, seven battle-scarred ronin become the defenceless hamlet’s new protectors, entrusted with the challenging task of teaching the inexperienced peasants how to fight, in exchange for a handful of rice and lodging. Undoubtedly, before the imminent attack of the mounted plunderers, the odds are stacked up against the farmers and their defenders; however, both have sworn to fight like lions for their freedom. Can the Seven Samurai pull off a surprise victory?

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Seven Samurai Movie Reviews

Kurosawa’s triumphant epic- totally & successfully driven by character and story

Akira Kurosawa was and is considered the master of east-western film-making (in that he made his Japanese films accessible for fans of American westerns while still making the movies his country found popular), and out of the few Kurosawa movies I’ve had the pleasure of viewing (Hidden Fortress, Rashomon, and this) I’d have to say that while Rashomon is still my favorite, I nevertheless had a blast during this one. The story has become quite influential to filmmakers from the likes of John Sturges (The Magnificent Seven) to John Lasseter (A Bug’s Life): a small village has been terrorized by bandits for far too long, amid times of civil war in the nation, and so on the advice of Grand-Dad, they decide to hire four – which soon becomes seven – samurai for the job. There’s no money, just food and honor, even though the village isn’t exactly pleased to have samurai back in their village. Each character is drawn and executed compellingly, though for my money Toshiro Mifune proves why he became one of Japan’s most notorious film actors. His work as the brave, bold outcast of the seven is awe-inspiring practically all the way through, like the hero of a western that anyone can root for since he’s a true rebel at heart within a group of men with a task at hand.

Kurosawa directs his tale and main and supporting players like a grand composer, orchestrating a vivid story and extracting from great actors like Takashi Shimura (the old, wise Samurai), Ko Kimura (the disciple Samurai), Daisuke Kato (Schichiroji), and Mifune (Kikuchiyo, which isn’t his real name) just the right touches of humanity, humor, tragedy, romance, and intensity. The overall intensity, by the way, isn’t over-estimated; its long length (almost 3 1/2 hours) isn’t distracting in the slightest since Kurosawa’s editing and photography (the later helmed by Asakazu Nakai) are extraordinary. Not to compare the two films, but one thing I saw in common with Seven Samurai and a Lord of the Rings film is that, if anything else, it definitely isn’t a boring experience. Along with a score by Fumio Hayasaka that gives the film just a bit more of a pulse, and a showdown that is relentless with excitement, this is one of the must-see action films for film buffs, or anyone with an serious interest in having fun with an epic.

One of Kurosawa’s best

While this movie is probably the most widely recognized film of the director Kurosawa, it isn’t my personal favorite–though it’s close. But considering how many wonderful films he made and how this movie sparked the Magnificent Seven films, its impact and importance can’t be ignored. And I would have to say that it deserves all the attention–it’s just too bad that other films like YOJIMBO, SANJURO and THE BAD SLEEP WELL just haven’t gotten all the attention this film has. Actually, it[‘s strange that I am getting around to reviewing this film now–as I have seen it several times and thought I’d already reviewed it.

The film begins in the feudal period in Japan in a small town that is being terrorized by a gang. These thugs periodically come to strip the people of what little they have as well as their dignity–much like locusts. Eventually, the gang’s demands are so extreme that it appears they have no choice but to fight back when they next return–otherwise they face starvation. The problem is that these are simple peasants and they haven’t got a prayer against Ronin (i.e., samurai who have no master). Eventually, townspeople get the idea to bring in some of their own Ronin to fight against the evil gang. At this point, the film concentrates on the seven men–who they are, their motivations, etc. It is here that the film really excels. In fact, probably the least exciting portion of the film is the eventual battle between the forces.

An excellent character study and a film with so much to love–great acting, direction and a dandy and exciting script.

Kurasawa’s best film

As much as I do love Ran, The Hidden Fortress and Throne of Blood, it was Seven Samurai that I love most of Akira Kurasawa’s films. As with all Kurasawa’s films, it is incredibly well made with authentic scenery that would give meaning to the term epic and the camera work is truly spectacular. This is especially true in the final battle, with inspired use of moving and multiple camera, precise editing, telephoto lenses and variegated film speeds. As always with Kurasawa, the direction is consistently brilliant. Add to that a stirring score from Fumio Hayasaka and a thoughtful script and you have more reasons why Seven Samurai is so good. The story unfolds slowly, but never felt dull to me and is never hampered by the three-and-a-half-hour running time. Plus Seven Samurai is interesting for being one of the first few to utilise the plot element of recruiting/gathering of heroes into a team to achieve a goal, seen especially with when the audience is first introduced Kambei. The action is spectacular and looks even better with the use of multiple cameras from various angles, and any humanity Seven Samurai has, and it does have a lot, is shown in a poignant way. The cast are excellent, with Takashi Shimura and especially Toshiro Mifune the standouts. Overall, of a resume of one of the greatest directors who ever lived, responsible for many wonderful movies(and I’d say that Seven Samurai and Ran are among the best movies ever made) Seven Samurai stands tall. One of the easiest 10/10s I’ve ever given. Bethany Cox