Seven Samurai
The Criterion Collection
One of the most beloved movie epics of all time. Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (Shichinin no samurai) tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire seven out-of-work warriors to protect them from invading bandits. This three-hour ride - featuring legendary actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura - seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions and relentless action into a rich, evocative, and unforgettable tale of courage and hope.
Member Reviews
More thought provoking than those that followed... - cheapohubby
Probably like a lot of others, I rented Seven Samurai because of all the movies that owned credit to it as the original (Magnificent Seven being the most obvious). But I was a bit surprised. Those other movies were largely just action movies; not really providing a lot of subtext to the plot. Seven Samurai delivers a subtle story within a story. You've got the peasant farmers versus warrior class. You've got the honorable sword wielding warrior versus the coming of musket warfare. You've got the life of a peasant farmer, trying to grow enough to live off. And the bloody, violent and savage aspects of fighting for your life; not much honor, just kill or be killed.
It's long; three hours. But there's a lot of story telling to be done, so that length is probably justified.Keep in mind when Kurosawa shot this film!! - Mano
Thanks to zip.ca I am able to systematically see some of the old movies and enjoy them at my own pace. Perhaps if I had a pvr+movie channels, I can record them and watch them ,rewind them etc., Still I can't order the movies the way I want to!
Anyway...this is another classic from the master. Shot in 1954..well before The magnificient seven.1960 The Japanese master manages to weave this simple story developing the characters solidly. The way he exposes the "farmer" side of a Samurai, the delicate love between the young warrior and a peasant girl...superb. Well ahead of his time. Human nature which is universal yet with some cultural flavours is shown beautifully.
Don't miss it.
Keep in mind he&his team made this 1954.Simple, Beautiful, Perfect - Mookie
Let me add my voice to the chorus of film lovers who have sung praises to the brilliant Kurosawa. Brilliant, yes, but never forgetting how to entertain and tell a simple straighforward story with emotion and elegance.
I left it far to long to see this film but I wanted to see it without interuption and in all of its glory and I am glad I did. It deserves its status of classic. At 3.5 hours it never loses your interest and we get to explore many characters without really exploring the characters. We know them through their actions and interactions and not because they give us a long monologue about who they are and where they came from.
I am not smart enough to know why Kurosawa is so brilliant, all I can tell you his films are unique and capture emotions and story-telling like no one else has.
My one regret is that I didn't have enough time to listen to all the commentaries and extras. Perhaps I'll go out and buy it now :).
Member Reviews
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More thought provoking than those that followed... - cheapohubby
Probably like a lot of others, I rented Seven Samurai because of all the movies that owned credit to it as the original (Magnificent Seven being the most obvious). But I was a bit surprised. Those other movies were largely just action movies; not really ...Keep in mind when Kurosawa shot this film!! - Mano
Thanks to zip.ca I am able to systematically see some of the old movies and enjoy them at my own pace. Perhaps if I had a pvr+movie channels, I can record them and watch them ,rewind them etc., Still I can't order the movies the way I want to!
Anyway...this ...Simple, Beautiful, Perfect - Mookie
Let me add my voice to the chorus of film lovers who have sung praises to the brilliant Kurosawa. Brilliant, yes, but never forgetting how to entertain and tell a simple straighforward story with emotion and elegance.
I left it far to long to see this ...