Seven Samurai (1954)
8.5 /10
4122 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Kikuchiyo
... Kambei Shimada
... Gorobei Katayama
... Kyuzo
... Heihachi Hayashida
User reviews
Fantastic movie with a great touch of reality.
Director:
Release Date:
1954-04-26
Run Time:
207 min
MMPA Rating:
NR
Reviews of
Seven Samurai
Fantastic movie with a great touch of reality.
At the top of my favorite films ever. Every time I watch it is see something new. Bandits steal peasants rice. Peasants hire ronin samurai to defend them. Great plot, pace and acting. Akira Kurasawa's best...perhaps.
**Maybe a little overrated, but there's no doubt that it's good.**
Well, I have to start this text with a note that I believe is relevant to understand what I'm going to write: this was the first Japanese film that I remember seeing. I might even be forgetting something I've seen before, but I don't think so. Therefore, I'm not a good connoisseur of Japanese cinema, so I don't want my opinion to be taken with any authority that I don't crave. I know there are people who want that. I do not. I speak, as in any of my reviews, only through my mouth, from the height of my meager wisdom, without pretensions. I may be right about some things, wrong about others, but that's the most normal thing in the world.
I decided to see this film because it was highly recommended and well regarded… everyone said it was a very good film, so I decided to see it for myself. I just finished it, and read a little about the film and its director, the famous Akira Kurosawa. The film is really a work that is above average, but it is not the kind of film that pleases everyone, and it seems to me to be a little overvalued, which results in damage. I say this because I felt, at various times, that the film failed to meet my expectations, as I am quite neutral, that is, I neither love this type of film nor feel repugnance in watching it.
The script takes place, roughly, in the mid-16th century, when Japan was divided into feuds and kingdoms, and there were frequent internecine wars in which the samurai took part. Of course, in such an environment, it is the common people who sacrifice themselves, and the humblest have always been the most susceptible to abuse by the powerful. That's what we have here, with a rural village that is regularly looted and devastated by an armed band until it decides to hire a small group of wandering samurai to help defend it. They achieve this objective, and we are invited to see all the labors that occur in the preparation of the defense, and in the martial training of those peasants.
I'm going to do it differently, and start by saying the aspects that seemed most positive to me. First, it seems to me that Kurosawa is really meticulous in the work he has done and has great affection and respect for his country's traditions and history. Otherwise, one would not understand the effort and money that were tied up in a film with such a historical and cultural load. To what extent did his taste for realism influence European cinema, or vice versa? I'm sure there are film students who have discussed this. What I can guarantee is the commitment to realism, visible, for example, in the extraordinary design of the sets and costumes, and in the static cinematography, very elegant and sharp. The script is quite solid, and gives us an extraordinarily credible story and very well-built and striking characters. I don't know the actors well, but I think Toshiro Mifune deserves applause for the commitment and work he has done here. He is an actor who naturally captures our attention and has a charisma that comes through effortlessly.
On the negative side, however, we also have several aspects to point out, starting with the length of the film, with more than three and a half hours. I'm sorry to say, but I feel that the script didn't justify that much time, and that Kurosawa didn't work the pace well. With a more restricted edition, he would have managed to reduce the film, without much loss, to two hours, and make it less heavy and exhausting. We don't need to see every village debate or every military training shenanigans. I also didn't like the attempts at humor introduced in the film. They just weren't funny at all. The excessive predictability of the story told also turns out to be a defect. I also didn't like the virtual absence of a soundtrack. I've seen that in other films, and I've never been particularly fond of that stylistic device.
I must begin by saying I am a bit "attention deficit" and that I never thought I would like subtitles, but this film flows through its long length with such adventure that I don't see how anyone can keep from being entranced with every second.
And it takes a lot to hold my interest.
In case you haven't heard, this "magnificent seven samurai" so to speak, are enlisted one by one to aid a village beset by 40 bandits.
What is often lost is that the story is really "Four villagers". Two are village elders (although not as old as the "grandpa" character they look to for advice). One, Manzo, represents the conservative element that in our era might be called "Republican", and the other, Mosuke, represents the liberal or "Democrat" policy. The other two are Yohei, a man full of fear who thinks Manzo's policies will protect him; and Rikiki, the boldest villager who is more in tune with Mosuke. Indeed, Rikiki might qualify as the "eighth samurai" as the film progresses.
There are so many wonderful subplots and so muuch excitement even when there is no action, that there's never a dull moment.
The samurai also have their ups and downs. Toshiro Mifune is not the leader, but he is the soul. He is much like Rikiki.
There is humor throughout that is perfectly timed, and much tragedy. I think it is Kurosawa's masterpiece, and he is one of the most respected directors of all time.
Maybe the greatest movie of all-time. This film is an epic accomplishment of long-form storytelling, amazing performances, wonderful camera work and fantastic sets. As is typical of Kurosawa, this movie attacks the theme of greed and is very willing to critically examine the high-status classes, in this case the "honourable" samurai. The characters are likeable for the most and the performance from Toshiro Mifune is absolutely masterful and his character is a brilliantly comic tragic character. The action is very raw with mud and rain and chaos, which I appreciate. The pacing in the middle is ever so slightly slow but it really doesn't detract from this utterly brilliant masterpiece.
Cast & Crew of
Seven Samurai
Cast
... Kikuchiyo
... Kambei Shimada
... Gorobei Katayama
... Kyuzo
... Heihachi Hayashida
... Shichiroji
... Katsushiro Okamoto
... Shino
... Rikichi's Wife
... Manzô - Father of Shino
... Mosuke
... Yohei
... Rikichi
... Gisaku, the Old Man
... Kidnapper
... Coolie A
... Bun Seller
... Grandfather of Kidnapped Girl
... Samurai
... Bandit Scout
... Blind Player
... Samurai Who Kicks Farmers
... Gosaku
... Bandit Chieftain
... Bandit Second-in-Command
... Samurai with Gun
... Tea Shop Owner
... Weak Ronin
... Coolie #2
... Strong-Looking Samurai
... Buddhist Priest
... Wife of Gono Family
... Woman Farmer
... Samurai
... Bandit
... Samurai
... Samurai
... Samurai
... Bandit
... Samurai
... Bandit Who Escapes
... Bandit Who Escapes
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Bandit
... Farmer
... Samurai
... Samurai
... Gisaku's Son
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Husband of Gono Family
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer in Front of Gono
... Farmer
... Farmer in Front of Gono
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Farmer
... Coolie #3
... Gisaku's Daughter-in-Law
... Woman Farmer in front of Gono
... Woman Farmer
... Woman Farmer
... Woman Farmer
... Woman Farmer
... Farmer's Wife
... Farmer's Wife
... Farmer's Wife
... Farmer's Wife
... Farmer's Wife
... Farmer's Wife
... Farmer's Wife
... Woman Farmer
... Woman Farmer
... Samurai Wandering through Town (uncredited)
... Samurai Wandering through Town (uncredited)
... Samurai Wandering through Town (uncredited)
... Farmer (uncredited)
... Gisaku's Son
Crew
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Director
... Producer
... Accountant
... Assistant Director
... Script Supervisor
... Assistant Director
... Assistant Art Director
... Director of Photography
... Production Office Assistant
... Original Music Composer
... Editor
... Lighting Technician
... Sound Recordist
... Assistant Director
... First Assistant Camera
... Researcher
... Production Supervisor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Lighting Technician
... Set Decoration
... Hairstylist
... Art Direction
... Property Master
... Stunts
... Costume Design
... Makeup Artist
... Editorial Manager
... Production Assistant
... Assistant Director
... Sound Assistant
... Assistant Director
... Still Photographer
![BFI 4K Restoration Trailer [Subtitled]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RsRN65PlaIM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Official 4K Restoration Trailer [Subtitled]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fRUsjrkGs_A/mqdefault.jpg)
![Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer [Subtitled]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/7mw6LyyoeGE/mqdefault.jpg)
Similar Movies To
Seven Samurai
The Longest Day (1962)
7.607/10
The retelling of June 6, 1944, from the perspectives of the Germans, US, British, Canadians, and the Free French. Marshall Erwin Rommel, touring the defenses being established as part of the Reich's Atlantic Wall, notes to his officers that when the Allied invasion comes they must be stopped on the beach. "For the Allies as well as the Germans, it will be the longest day"
Release: 1962-09-25
The Fort of Death (1969)
6.6/10
The second Bounty Hunter film, when master killer Shikoro Ichibei takes up the cause of a group of farmers being driven to despair by the vile Lord Ozeki. The villainous lord has driven them to mounting their last stand at a deserted fort against an army of attackers. Wakayama Tomisaburo is superb as an expert in killing and military tactics, who leaves his medical practice at a clinic for the poor in order to counter the vicious tactics of that vile lord.
Release: 1969-12-13
Mortal Kombat (1995)
5.875/10
For nine generations an evil sorcerer has been victorious in hand-to-hand battle against his mortal enemies. If he wins a tenth Mortal Kombat tournament, desolation and evil will reign over the multiverse forever. To save Earth, three warriors must overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, their own inner demons, and superhuman foes.
Release: 1995-08-18
Ong-Bak (2003)
7.131/10
When the head of a statue sacred to a village is stolen, a young martial artist goes to the big city and finds himself taking on the underworld to retrieve it.
Release: 2003-01-31
The Avengers (1998)
4.44/10
British Ministry agent John Steed, under direction from "Mother", investigates a diabolical plot by arch-villain Sir August de Wynter to rule the world with his weather control machine. Steed investigates the beautiful Doctor Mrs. Emma Peel, the only suspect, but simultaneously falls for her and joins forces with her to combat Sir August.
Release: 1998-08-13
Clear and Present Danger (1994)
6.641/10
Agent Jack Ryan becomes acting Deputy Director of Intelligence for the CIA when Admiral Greer is diagnosed with cancer. When an American businessman, and friend of the president, is murdered on his yacht, Ryan starts discovering links between the man and drug dealers. As former CIA agent John Clark is sent to Colombia to kill drug cartel kingpins in retaliation, Ryan must fight through multiple cover-ups to figure out what happened and who's responsible.
Release: 1994-08-03
Transporter 2 (2005)
6.325/10
Professional driver, and former Special Forces officer, Frank Martin is living in Miami, where he is temporarily filling in for a friend as the chauffeur for a government narcotics control policy director and his family. The young boy in the family is targeted for kidnapping, and Frank immediately becomes involved in protecting the child and exposing the kidnappers.
Release: 2005-08-03
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
6.578/10
It has been twenty years since Don Diego de la Vega fought Spanish oppression in Alta California as the legendary romantic hero, Zorro. Having escaped from prison he transforms troubled bandit Alejandro into his successor, in order to foil the plans of the tyrannical Don Rafael Montero who robbed him of his freedom, his wife and his precious daughter.
Release: 1998-07-16
Renaissance (2006)
6.5/10
To find Ilona and unlock the secrets of her disappearance, Karas must plunge deep into the parallel worlds of corporate espionage, organized crime and genetic research - where the truth imprisons whoever finds it first and miracles can be bought but at a great price.
Release: 2006-03-16
Above the Law (1988)
6.124/10
Nico Toscani is an Italian immigrant, American patriot, ex-CIA agent, aikido specialist and unorthodox Chicago policeman. He is as committed to his job as he is to his personalized brand of justice—expert and thorough bone-crushing.
Release: 1988-04-08
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
7.463/10
Royal Tenenbaum and his wife Etheline had three children and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary --- all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father's fault. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is the story of the family's sudden, unexpected reunion one recent winter.
Release: 2001-10-05
EverAfter (1998)
7.4/10
Danielle, a vibrant young woman, was forced into servitude after the death of her father when she was a young girl. Danielle's stepmother, Rodmilla, is a heartless woman who forces Danielle to do the cooking and cleaning, while she tries to marry off the eldest of her two daughters to the prince. But Danielle's life takes a wonderful turn when, under the guise of a visiting royal, she meets the charming Prince Henry.
Release: 1998-07-31
The Crow: Salvation (2000)
5.466/10
Alex Corvis, a man wrongly executed for the murder of his girlfriend, returns from the dead and sets out to find the real killer.
Release: 2000-01-23
Black Mask (1996)
6.231/10
Super-soldier recruit Tsui Chik is forced to escape with his comrades after the project is canceled. Months later, he's trying to have a quiet life as a librarian with his best friend, Inspector Shek Wai-Ho. However, a string of vicious gangland murders begins that has all the markings of Tsui's former compatriots who seem to have turned to crime. Realizing that the police are helpless, he decides to take them on himself. With a disguise, Tsui becomes the mysterious superhero known only as Black Mask.
Release: 1996-11-07
Enter the Dragon (1973)
7.418/10
A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover.
Release: 1973-08-17
The Way of the Dragon (1972)
7.363/10
After a Chinese restaurant in Rome is threatened by the mafia, who will stop at nothing to acquire the property, the owner recruits a family friend in Hong Kong, kung fu expert Tang Lung, to help them defend their business.
Release: 1972-12-30
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
7.481/10
It's the 1940s, and the notorious Axe Gang terrorizes Shanghai. Small-time criminals Sing and Bone hope to join, but they only manage to make lots of very dangerous enemies. Fortunately for them, kung fu masters and hidden strength can be found in unlikely places. Now they just have to take on the entire Axe Gang.
Release: 2004-02-10
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
5.49/10
The Angels are charged with finding a pair of missing rings that are encoded with the personal information of members of the Witness Protection Program. As informants are killed, the ladies target a rogue agent who might be responsible.
Release: 2003-06-25
Case of a Young Lord 10: The Mystery of the Spider Lady (1962)
0/10
Young lord investigates the mysterious death that takes place in the underworld.
Release: 1962-12-23
King Arthur (2004)
6.297/10
The story of the Arthurian legend, based on the 'Sarmatian hypothesis' which contends that the legend has a historical nucleus in the Sarmatian heavy cavalry troops stationed in Britain, and that the Roman-British military commander, Lucius Artorius Castus is the historical person behind the legend.
Release: 2004-07-07