Seven Samurai (1954)
8.45 /10
4291 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
... Director
... Producer
... Screenplay
... Accountant
... Assistant Director
... Script Supervisor
... Assistant Director
... Director of Photography
... Assistant Art Director
... Assistant Director
... Production Office Assistant
... Original Music Composer
... Editor
... Lighting Technician
... First Assistant Camera
... Sound Recordist
... Researcher
... Sound Effects Editor
... Production Supervisor
... Lighting Technician
... Set Decoration
... Property Master
... Costume Design
... Sound Assistant
... Stunts
... Hairstylist
... Editorial Manager
... Art Direction
... Still Photographer
... Production Assistant
... Assistant Director
... Assistant Director
... Makeup Artist
![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
Exit (1971)
5.5/10
A drama about a group of people stranded at an old wartime guesthouse during a flood. One guest announces that he has the power to "decreate" people and is asked to demonstrate. From an original story by Harry Farjeon.
Release: 1971-12-16
The Elephant Man (1980)
8/10
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.
Release: 1980-10-09
Alexander (2004)
5.956/10
Alexander, the King of Macedonia, leads his legions against the giant Persian Empire. After defeating the Persians, he leads his army across the then known world, venturing farther than any westerner had ever gone, all the way to India.
Release: 2004-11-21
1984 (1956)
6.49/10
In a totalitarian future society, a man whose daily work is rewriting history tries to rebel by falling in love.
Release: 1956-03-06
Golden Door (2006)
6.527/10
The story is set at the beginning of the 20th century in Sicily. Salvatore, a very poor farmer, and a widower, decides to emigrate to the US with all his family, including his old mother. Before they embark, they meet Lucy. She is supposed to be a British lady and wants to come back to the States. Lucy, or Luce as Salvatore calls her, for unknown reasons wants to marry someone before to arrive to Ellis Island in New York. Salvatore accepts the proposal. Once they arrive in Ellis Island they spend the quarantine period trying to pass the examinations to be admitted to the States. Tests are not so simple for poor farmers coming from Sicily. Their destiny is in the hands of the custom officers.
Release: 2006-09-22
The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
6.925/10
When legendary hunter Bob Rainsford is shipwrecked on the perilous reefs surrounding a mysterious island, he finds himself the guest of the reclusive and eccentric Count Zaroff. While he is very gracious at first, Zaroff eventually forces Rainsford and two other shipwreck survivors, brother and sister Eve and Martin Towbridge, to participate in a sadistic game of cat and mouse in which they are the prey and he is the hunter.
Release: 1932-09-16
Silent Light (2007)
6.832/10
Johan and his family are Mennonites from the north of Mexico. Against the law of God and Man, Johan falls in love with another woman.
Release: 2007-05-22
Secret Sunshine (2007)
7.2/10
Shin-ae moves to her recently late husband’s hometown. Despite her efforts to settle in this unfamiliar and too-normal place, she finds that she can’t fit in. After a sudden tragedy, Shin-ae turns to Christianity to relieve her pain, but when even this is not permitted, she wages a war against God.
Release: 2007-05-23
Hard Target (1993)
6.503/10
When a woman's father goes missing, she enlists a local to aid in her search. The pair soon discover that her father has died at the hands of a wealthy sportsman who hunts homeless men as a form of recreation.
Release: 1993-04-27
Savior (1998)
7.14/10
A hardened mercenary in the Foreign Legion begins to find his own humanity when confronted with atrocities during the fighting in Bosnia.
Release: 1998-06-01
Gappa, the Triphibian Monster (1967)
5.696/10
An expedition in the South Pacific lands on a tropical island where the natives worship the mysterious deity Gappa. An earthquake opens up an underground cavern and a baby reptile is discovered inside. The natives warn the foreigners to leave the hatching alone, but they don't listen and take it back to a zoo in Japan. Soon after, moma and papa Gappa start smashing Tokyo looking for their kidnapped child.
Release: 1967-04-22
Au Revoir les Enfants (1987)
7.5/10
Au revoir les enfants tells a heartbreaking story of friendship and devastating loss concerning two boys living in Nazi-occupied France. At a provincial Catholic boarding school, the precocious youths enjoy true camaraderie—until a secret is revealed. Based on events from writer-director Malle’s own childhood, the film is a subtle, precisely observed tale of courage, cowardice, and tragic awakening.
Release: 1987-10-07
The Piano Teacher (2001)
7.256/10
Erika Kohut, a sexually repressed piano teacher living with her domineering mother, meets a young man who starts romantically pursuing her.
Release: 2001-09-05
Sunflower (1970)
7.525/10
After World War II, a woman refuses to believe her husband, missing on the Russian front, is dead. Flashbacks reveal their brief courtship and marriage. Years later, she travels to Russia with his photo, determined to find him. What will she discover?
Release: 1970-03-14
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
6.573/10
When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past, he's not sure if it's love...or if she's a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth.
Release: 2011-05-15
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
7.201/10
Raoul Duke and his attorney Dr. Gonzo drive a red convertible across the Mojave desert to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of drugs to cover a motorcycle race. As their consumption of drugs increases at an alarming rate, the stoned duo trash their hotel room and fear legal repercussions. Duke begins to drive back to L.A., but after an odd run-in with a cop, he returns to Sin City and continues his wild drug binge.
Release: 1998-05-22
Malcolm X (1992)
7.553/10
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
Release: 1992-11-18
The Karate Kid (1984)
7.229/10
New Jersey teen Daniel LaRusso moves to Los Angeles with his mother, and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali. He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of thugs, led by Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny, who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei John Kreese. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.
Release: 1984-06-22
Marie Antoinette (2006)
6.696/10
A retelling of the story of France’s iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette - from her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at fifteen to her reign as queen at nineteen and ultimately the fall of Versailles.
Release: 2006-05-24
The Fortune Cookie (1966)
7.168/10
TV cameraman Harry Hinkle is injured while filming a football game. Seeing big dollar signs, his unscrupulous ambulance-chasing lawyer brother-in-law Willie Gingrich enters the picture, and convinces Harry to overstate his injuries and claim $1 million in pain and suffering. Harry's similarly-minded ex-wife suddenly reappears in an attempt to rekindle their relationship.
Release: 1966-10-19