A village of poor farmers hire seven roaming samurai to protect themselves from attack by a gang of bandits. The characters are well portrayed, village life in medieval Japan is well recreated, and a well directed battle make this a truly great movie.
Cast
Kikuchiyo Toshiro Mifune
Kambei Takashi Shimura
Katsushiro Isao Kimura
Heihachi Minoru Chiaki
Kyuzo Seiji Miyaguchi
Shichiroji Daisuke Kato
Gisaki Kuninori Kodo
Director
Akira Kurosawa
Questions
1. What is meant by Japanese feudalism?
2. Name some films by Akira Kurosawa.
3. Japanese critics have sometimes said that Kurosawa's films tend to appeal western audiences. Do you agree?
4. The Seven Samurai is said by many western critics to be the best Japanese film ever made. Why might they say this?
5. Is Seven Samurai an epic film? What genre does it belong to?
6. Is there are clear theme in Seven Samurai? If so, describe it.
7. Discuss who was strong and who was weak among the characters.
8. Explain the differences between samurai and farmers.
9. Comment on Kurosawa's approach to depicting action scenes.
10. How does Kurosawa use symbolism in Seven Samurai?
Positive Review
Cast Notes
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