Seven Samurai
| Title: | Seven Samurai (1954) |
| Descriptor: | "Magnificent Seven" is almost based character for character to this epic Kurosawa film. Running about 3.5 hrs long, it is well worth the watch. The story begins with a small farming village that is plagued by a nearby gang of bandits who demand tribute every harvest season. Finally tired of being bullied, a group of pheasants venture to find samurai who will be willing to protect their village in exchange for a daily ration of rice. (Sounds like "Bugs Life.") They are long unsuccessful, until they run into an extraordinary samurai of wit, skill but most importantly compassion. He agreed to their bargain and sets out to find others who will fight with him. He manages to gather 6, including himself, each possessing a special quality. He is the brains of the outfit. Recruit number one, a close war buddy of his, possesses heart. Recruit two possesses joy, laughter (whatever fits better.) Recruit five, humanity. Recruit six, perfection and discipline. Recruit, six, or the one they pick up because he insists on being a deciple of the main guy, possesses youth. Recruit, or more like the tag along, played by my idol, Toshiro Mifune, has a unique understanding of the peasants. Together they set off on adventure that is worth watching. (alas - I can never shake myself of such clichés.) |
| Date Watched: | April 20, 2001 (or somewhere around then) |
| Comments: | Mifune is awesome. The fighting is excellent. Incidentally, the tactic that Kyuzo uses in the duel scene is called, "wakigamae" or something. You hide the tip of the katana from the enemy, so they can't see the distance from the point to their flesh. It's a tale of determination, courage, misconceptions, trust and lack of trust, most most noticeably, it is a story of compassion, compassion based on the common thread that ties us all, our humanity. (kay - sounds really cliche - but had to put something abou the film...) |
Shimura Takashi
as Kanbei
Mifune Toshiro
as Kikuchiyo
Kimura Kou
as Katsushiro
Inaba Yoshio
as Gorobei
Chiaki Minoru
as Heihachi
Kato Daisuke
as Shichiroji
Miyaguchi Seiji
as Kyuzo
