Seven Samurai (Shichinin no samurai) (1954)
LOW LEVEL VIOLENCE
Set in 16th Century Japan, Akira Kurosawa's epic SEVEN SAMURAI follows the plight of a defenseless farming village that lives in constant fear of marauding bandits. The farmers know that when their crops are harvested, the thugs will attack, so four men go to town in hopes of employing samurai to fight for them. However, the poor villagers can merely offer payment in the form of shelter and a daily bowl of rice, and initially only Kambei (Takashi Shimura), a brave elder samurai, and his eager young apprentice, Katsushiro (Isao Kimura), take up their cause. Encountering various nomadic warriors on the streets, they slowly put together his team of swordsmen, recruiting Shichiroji (Daisuke Katô), Gorobei (Yoshio Inaba), Heihachi (Minoru Chiaki), and Kyuzo (Seiji Miyaguchi). Finally, Kikuchiyo (Toshirô Mifune), a scruffy wanderer who has been trailing them, completes the small band of ronin. However, upon reaching the village, the samurai learn that the farmers fear them as much the enemy. Despite the tensions, Kambei and his men slowly train the peasants to defend their village. Eventually the warriors launch a preemptive strike against the bandits, and begin a series of intense conflicts that culminates in a rain-soaked final battle--without a doubt, one of the most stunning sequences in cinema history. Widely considered to be the greatest Japanese film ever made, Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI is also credited with pioneering the modern action movie. This notion is especially evident in thrilling scenes such as Kambei's rescue of a kidnapped child, Kyuzo's duel, and Kikuchiyo's intensive theft of an enemy gun. Although the film clocks in at more than three hours, the story remains consistently engaging and slowly heightens the tension while providing action, drama, comic relief, and character development. Gleefully running amuck, Mifune gives one of his most renowned performances, imbuing the often comical Kikuchiyo with a surprising streak of melancholy and introspection. However, it is Shimura that anchors the entire film as the thoughtful and courageous Kambei, who stoically takes on the leadership of an almost impossible task. A monumental achievement in filmmaking, Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI is cinematic perfection in nearly every aspect, giving the production its much-deserved status as one of the best films ever created.
| Status: | LongWait |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 208mins |
| Origin: | JAPAN |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.33:1 Fullscreen |
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Member Reviews (45)
45 Member
Reviews
MARILYN WELLINGTON
says
I REALISE THAT THIS MOVIE WAS THE BASIS FOR "THE MAGNIFIENT SEVEN" WHICH I FOUND ONE OF HE BEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME (AFTER GONE WITH THE WIND)
PERHAPS THE COUNTRY, PERIOD AND PEOPLE (EAST IS EAST AND WEST IS WEST ETC.) MAKE A DIFFERENCE BUT I DID'N GO MUCH FOR THISORIGINAL VERSION.
Fish
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An absolutely incredible film by a master of cinema, admittedly it has not aged incredibly well in places, but most definitely well worth a watch for anyone with an interest in good film. The sheer amount of people that this film has influenced makes it interesting even if nothing else.
Claire
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Three hours and twenty minutes: With a battle scene lasting an hour and an undeveloped romance which could have been interesting. This was not my cup of tea at all. Sure, the cinematography was fantastic for its day - but it was an arduous task overall.
dan micak
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2nd best movie ever! dont worry about the best, just watch this classic. so many spin-offs are based on this amazing japanese story of war, love, community, honour, class and that epic clincher to win over us all - good vs evil! :) yeah its a long movie, near on 3 hrs, so make sure you've got plenty of drinks and snacks, and no interuptions from annoying fellows. the 7 heroes can be hard to stay on top of, so no slipping into the kitchen to make popcorn unless you've paused ;)
gol
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I have been wanting to see this movie for years. My assessment 2 stars! I know it was a classic in its time and that rating will upset a few purists. However I found the animated over acting and pregnant pauses waiting for the subtitles very off putting. So much so I sometimes used the fast forward to get through the 3 hours. It is rated by some as the 5th all time great movies, but I suggest ??? movie new comers??? will be disappointed as by today???s standards it is almost corny. Not recommended.
Mark R.
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The best Akira Kurosawa's epic I have ever seen. Gave an insight on Japanese history but in my case showed the different approaches between the directions of Japanese Movies and those of Hollywood at the time. the drama, the action, the fight sequences were so intense. To me, each character was real without the sensational hype that some of todays movies have. Watching this movie, made me laugh, cry, tense, relaxed, expectant and many other emotions that I could not possibly explain. As soon as I finished waqtching the movie, I was online buying it.
Michael W.
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Entertaining classic Jap Western, good over evil, small over big. Made me want to chase uo other Kirosawa films thankfully.
Kate C.
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Wow! I first saw this about 45 years ago and again in the early eighties. It's probably my favourite film - fantastic direction, wonderful caste, gripping plot, etc. etc. etc.
I guess that now I'll have to add it to my queue all over again!
Robert B.
says
It's long. and B&W, of course. The action sequences are hard to follow and pretty fake looking. It is a little bit hard to keep track of who is who. However, the story is very good. The script is great. The actors are excellent. It is interesting to consider these samurai chaps acting the way they do.
William S.
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A classic lengthy film depicting a journey of seven samurais and the battle they have to face.
Neville C.
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Enthralling! Fascinating heroes who are rich in wisdom, skill & honor. Exciting final battle with the bandits. Fighting for justice for the poor without reward because it's a noble cause! The world needs more of such heroes!
Okto F.
says
Excellent - The first time I see this movie is in 2008. Considering the movie was made 1954... in this generation 1954 movies are boring because we have developed a very short attention span. This movie by mere story telling without the help of CGI special effect, no unpredicted twist, no half naked chics (but often half naked dude), no semen hair kept me interested for 3 and a half hours.
Jack K.
says
Ever since its release this seminal epic has profoundly influenced many directors and spawned various versions of the same theme, namely the recruitment of a team of specialists to achieve a specific goal. Here samurai are hired to assist farmers in defending their 16th century village from repeated bandit attacks. Though more than 3 hours in length, it’s necessary to gradually unfold the griping story and, not without humour, develop the characters of the samurai and farmers, while defining their social roles and obligations. Director Akira Kurosawa also explores the place of the individual in society through rebellion against social tradition using innovative plot devices and brilliantly composed and photographed action scenes. A great movie of great humanity!
Adriaan van Jaarsveldt
says
Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954) is an icon of Japanese and World cinema. It is the original action movie and Hollywood owes it a great debt. Quite apart from the obvious remakes, such as The Magnificent Seven, many action movie elements originated in Seven Samurai, from techniques such as dropping to slow motion in climatic battle scenes, to typical plot lines involving a band of disparate characters coming together to defeat seemingly overwhelming odds. Its essential viewing for film studies, but it also no hardship, as despite its epic 3 hours and limited dialogue, it tells a compelling story and tells it well. It is full of memorable images, notably the shots of Kikuchiyo, the suspect Samurai, who turns out to be a farmer’s son, in his stolen armour and headgear, brandishing his extra-long sword. The relationship between the Samurai and the farmers is one of the most interesting aspects and reflects the relationship that often exists between a civilian population and an external force of armed defenders. Currently we need look no further than how Iraqi civilians stand towards the coalition forces. They need them there, but at the same time they desperately want them gone.
Peter D.
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If you loved The Magnificent Seven, then it's well worth seeing this, its source material, and seeing how John Sturges adapted it for the western audience. Powerful viewing, despite its 3 hours length.
Owen B.
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Forget 'Magnificent 7' and every other Hollywood movie that's used Kurosawa's masterwork as it's template, and there have been plenty of them (including Star Wars), because it's a GREAT story. Make no mistake, THIS is THE one. It surprises me when people say 'I can't stand subtitles' (see reviews of 'Pan's Labyrinth) because this movie (along with all of Akira Kurosawa's work) supremely demonstrates the fact that if the movie is superbly made, as Kurosawa's are, you don't even notice you are reading them. If you do notice, then you can't be watching a Kurosawa film! Subtitles are far preferable to dubbing which does the orignal movie, especially the actors (and the audience) a disservice. I can't see the problem with subtitles. It's like saying 'I don't like listening to people singing in a foreign language'. If it's amazing music, it doesn't matter if you don't know what the lyrics mean. How many people who enjoy opera, are multilingual? Not many I reckon, yet look at the popularity of Pavarotti et al. So give Toshiro Mifune and his 6 samurai buddies a break!!! The fact that Seven Samurai is also black and white is possibly a turnoff for some as well, but again, they are missing the point. The movie doesn't need color. It would be superfluous. It uses b/w for dramatic effect. Kurosawa didn't shoot it in b/w because he couldn't afford color stock!!!
Think of the real 'classic' movies and they are all b/w: 'Citizen Kane', 'Some Like It Hot', 'Casablanca','The Third Man', 'M. Hulot's Holiday', 'Wages of Fear' and more recently, the Coen Bros 'The Man Who Wasn't There'. So don't let the fact that this movie is both subtitled AND b/w put you off. It is a MUST SEE along with all Kurosawa's work. Alongside the likes of 300 for example, you will see there is no contest. Kurosawa rocks!!!
But...if you're still not convinced, try Kurosawa's 'Ran'. It's still subtitled, but it IS in COLOR (although it probably didn't need to be!)
Chas P.
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lucy
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Bruce P.
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Eric H.
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The movie on which so many other blockbusters are based. Well worth the effort of watching.
Wade P.
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Alfred P.
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I didn`t like the Japanese language and I don`t like subtitles
Carmel C.
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Janet B.
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a classic in its subject presenteg by a world famous person.the black and white setting is far more dramatic than colour.worth seeing several times
Ralph F.
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Joanna M. K.
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After more then 50 years - it is still the revelation. Not to be missed indeed!
Greg A.
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Classic!
SherT.
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tiborg
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Good story,good acting.Sometimes funny,a bitter sweet story.
hard to get into.needs full attention to appreticiate this film.
Rebecca B.
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A film that stands the test of time - very long but well worth the viewing.
Cynthia Palmer
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Daniel Jumpertz
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We watched the DVD over about a week, and in that time the samurai became like family. this is a classic, no question. a masterful and very human film, full of drama and great characters. it was hard to say goodbye!
Gorath
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War and Peace, Laughter and Tears. A classic black and white from Japan. Must see - for those who enjoy a long great epic.
Tania Davis
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Con Rhee
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This is classical from this director. However, now appears v. dated & clumsy. Worth watching however, from a maker's perspective
Audrey Hughes
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Job Napitupulu
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The Best Kurosawa's Movie ever! Was voted the 12th Greatest Film of all time by Entertainment Weekly, being the only film in the magazine's top 20 greatest films not in English. (according to IMDB)
Xiao Xuan Li
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An amazing film worthy of the respect it commands.
Neil H
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Indeed a classic, but one needs to appreciate it from the viewpoint of the art of film-making. Black and white and all shades of grey in mood and human interaction and texture. Unique.
Jaki Wilson
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Irina Mckillop
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Ron
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This long saga detailed the cultural aspects of the era. Bandits verses the poor verses the samaritan. Enjoyed the historic aspect of the era, however, I was generally disappointed with the lack of good fight scenes eg Kill Bill or Princess Blade which I would rate highly with a good story and must see. I thought this movie was a bit slow and predictable. Black and white did not help either. This story appeared to be based along the lines of The Magnificant Seven but nowhere as good.
John Chu
says
The synopsis says it all. A classic on which other classics are based.
Alice
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Excellent character development and film direction. This movie last over three hours and is quite slow pace. So your full attention is required.
starbryte
says
For those unprepared, this is a long movie! But not in a bad way :) Clocking in at just over 200 minutes, the story keeps moving so you never feel too bored or like it's dragging on. The picture quality at times diminishes, though I think its more the quality of the old original print, not the DVDs fault. The story hooks you in and there are some quite amusing scenes, watch out for Yohei, he's a star ;)
Definitely worth a viewing, just make sure you have plenty of time! Trailers are the only DVD extras.
Definitely worth a viewing, just make sure you have plenty of time! Trailers are the only DVD extras.