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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Unanimously hailed as one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of the motion picture, Seven Samurai has inspired countless films modelled after its basic premise. But Akira Kurosawa's classic 1954 action drama has never been surpassed in terms of sheer power of emotion, kinetic energy, and dynamic character development. The story is set in the 1600s, when the residents of a small Japanese village are seeking protection against repeated attacks by a band of marauding thieves. Offering mere handfuls of rice as payment, they hire seven unemployed "ronin" (masterless samurai), including a boastful swordsman (Toshiro Mifune) who is actually a farmer's son desperately seeking glory and acceptance. The samurai get acquainted with but remain distant from the villagers, knowing that their assignment may prove to be fatal. The climactic battle with the raiding thieves remains one of the most breathtaking sequences ever filmed. It's poetry in hyperactive motion and one of Kurosawa's crowning cinematic achievements. This is not a film that can be well served by any synopsis; it must be seen to be appreciated and belongs on the short list of any definitive home-video library. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
"What's the use of worrying about your beard when your head's about to be taken?" (2007-12-27)  "Seven samurai" (1954) is arguably Akira Kurosawa's best film, and my favourite of those made by that wonderful Japanese director. The plot of this movie is simple enough, but it is developed in a way that enriches it, by adding depth to the characters and making the spectator realize that there is more to them than meets the eye. The rigid cast division that characterized 16th century Japan is shown, and the whole period is brought to life thanks to outstanding cinematography and excellent acting.The story begins when the inhabitants of a very small rural village start discussing what to do about the bandits that attack them from time to time, taking everything of value with them. The farmers have very few resources and hardly any food left, but need to find a solution to their urgent problem or face certain death. An old and wise man proposes an unorthodox idea: to hire wandering samurai in very dire straits to defend the village, paying them only with food. The others farmers deem that suggestion outlandish but, having no other options, decide to give it a try. That is the point when we accompany them in their quest for salvation to a nearby town, where they look for samurai willing to work for almost nothing. Will they get hold of some? And what kind of people will the farmers be able to tempt with such poor offer?The answers to those questions, brought to life thanks to Kurosawa's mastery of the silver screen, end up giving us the opportunity to watch one of those very few movies that truly deserve to be called "classics". Highly recommended...Belen Alcat
A TRIUMPHANT EPIC (2007-12-09) 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.
Why cinema was invented. (2007-08-27) A complete and utter masterpiece. Within five minutes, you'll forget it's black and white, you'll stop registering you're reading subtitles, and you'll be involved in the greatest cinematic experience ever.Kurosawa shows how action can happen without physical action - the conflicts are internal, the scenes loaded with atmosphere and tension. Nothings happening, maybe two characters are just staring at each other, yet the action is palpable. The plot moves on languidly, yet with real purpose, the characters develop into three dimensions as if you've lived next door to them all your life. It'll grip you from beginning to end, even in the `slow' parts There is a lack of superlatives that I can add to those used by other reviewers - suffice to say that come a rainy Sunday afternoon in the winter, grab a six pack, take the phone off the hook and settle down for a spell-binding piece of cinema.
What one can say about the perfection? (2007-06-07) There is only a handful of films which achieved the total perfection - and this is one of them. There is nothing that could be added to it or removed from it without spoling it. This is also one of those movies you can simply watch as many times as you want, without EVER getting bored. If I had to put together a list of movies to preserve forever after the disappearance of humanity, it would make the list. No matter how short (well, after "Star Wars"). If you didn't see it yet, you must see it NOW - after all, how often in a life do we have the occasion to see the perfection? Now that I am thinking about it - and what if THE perfection was actually in black and white? And in Japanese?
A classic which has stood the test of time (2007-01-24) There are many classic movies which, seen today, come across as awfully dated. "Arsenic and Old Lace", or "The Man Who Knew Too Much" may have been seminal in their time; but the in 21st century they're beginning to show their age. "Seven Samurai" is different. The strong story, the quality of the cinematography and the historic Japanese setting combine to create a sense of epic timelessness, where it becomes hard to believe the figures on the screen are only actors. It does feel a little long in places; but all in all this is a beautiful, memorable and intense film.For a contrast, check out "The Magnificent Seven", from 1960, which is OK but has aged less well (see my review).Upside: unforgettable. Downside: a bit slow in parts.
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