Seven Samurai
One of the most thrilling movie epics of all time, SEVEN SAMURAI (Shichinin no samurai) tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire the eponymous warriors to protect them from invading bandits.
This three-hour ride from Akira Kurosawa -- 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.
Nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Art Direction, Best Set Design) and three BAFTA Awards (Best Film from Any Source, Best Foreign Actor - Toshiro Mifune, Best Foreign Actor - Takashi Shimura).
Won the Silver Lion at the 1954 Venice Film Festival.
Running Time
208 mins
Nb videos
2 videos included
Kanopy ID
1118191
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2 videos in this playlist
Seven Samurai, Part 1
'Seven Samurai, Part 1' is part of a series of films from Criterion Collection/Janus Films.
One of the most thrilling movie epics of all time, SEVEN SAMURAI (Shichinin no samurai)…
Seven Samurai, Part 2
'Seven Samurai, Part 2' is part of a series of films from Criterion Collection/Janus Films.
One of the most thrilling movie epics of all time, SEVEN SAMURAI (Shichinin no samurai)…
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Comments (24)
I can watch this movie over and over again. One of the greatest film of all time.
Finally! My first time seeing this. What a classic.
I am so blown away by Kurosawa's depiction of women. It was like this in Rashomon, too. There's something about Kurosawa's women characters that is so satisfying for me. The women characters in Kurosawa's films are not simply ...Read more
Finally! My first time seeing this. What a classic.
I am so blown away by Kurosawa's depiction of women. It was like this in Rashomon, too. There's something about Kurosawa's women characters that is so satisfying for me. The women characters in Kurosawa's films are not simply projections or pathetic reflections of a man's desires or insecurities. I always felt like the women have complexity, power, and agency. Shino and Rikichi's wife made choices for themselves, despite the oppressive world around them that did its best to deprive them of their rights. I'm very impressed.
I can also see how Seven Samurai inspired all of its subsequent offshoots such as Samurai Champloo. Mugen and Jin were direct reincarnations of Kikuchiyo and Kyuzo.
Read lesssuperb
Damn, I only speak USA English, and to had go backwards/forwards in this 1st film a number of times to get straight those aspects I missed the first go-rounds. Never-the-less, this is turning out to be a damn fine film/movie! I liked even though I think I missed a lot. Am going to watch ...Read more
Damn, I only speak USA English, and to had go backwards/forwards in this 1st film a number of times to get straight those aspects I missed the first go-rounds. Never-the-less, this is turning out to be a damn fine film/movie! I liked even though I think I missed a lot. Am going to watch the 2nd session for sure.
mike
Read lessJust rewatched it for Xth time. First time I realized how significant the head shaving at the beginning was. He sacrificed his "status" to save a child.
The foundation for a million movies, from spaghetti westerns to Ocean's Eleven. Fascinating look at an (imagined) culture. It's long and gets saggy, but never quite boring. NOT Free (Criterion) as advertised: cost me a credit (though worth it).
My health isn't always what it used to be. Tongiht was the case. I figured what the fr*ck. I brought Buster into my room (hadn't been in a few weeks) And we watched this movie. My second time seeing it. But still.
My favorite director thank you for this website so I can enjoy all of his movies
This great film is the predecessor of another film "The Magnificent Seven" (c. 1960) that had an all-star cast led by Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson and other greats. The setting was post-Civil War in Mexico where a group of out of work gunslingers are hired to protect villagers ...Read more
This great film is the predecessor of another film "The Magnificent Seven" (c. 1960) that had an all-star cast led by Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson and other greats. The setting was post-Civil War in Mexico where a group of out of work gunslingers are hired to protect villagers from a group of bandits. It is one of the best American westerns ever made. Maybe our friends from Kanopy can locate that for us.
Read lessWhy is this film so famous, influential, and why is it simply the "greatest action film ever made"? One reason is because you care deeply about every one of the main characters. SIMPLY BRILLIANT. WATCH!
It’s a long film clocking in at 207 minutes, but I never found it boring and maybe that’s because at its root it’s a story about survival in a hostile world. It’s primal. It’s not a kind depiction of man and it makes no attempt to humanize the bandits – who are terrorizing a small village. ...Read more
It’s a long film clocking in at 207 minutes, but I never found it boring and maybe that’s because at its root it’s a story about survival in a hostile world. It’s primal. It’s not a kind depiction of man and it makes no attempt to humanize the bandits – who are terrorizing a small village. These men do evil things and therefore that makes them evil. Another reason the film works so well, I think, is because there’s a cost to victory. Not all the Samurai live. And that makes it real. When everyone lives and there is no cost then the story feels false. In life, there is always a cost to victory – to everything we do. At a minimum whatever we do costs us time.
Read lessthe characters and drama of it, the suspense, the numerology and epigrams, just so so good.
One of my all time favorites. Never tire of watching it.
3 hours and 25 minutes of pure entertainment brought to us by the great Akira Kurosawa.
I knew the basic story from all of the adaptations/remakes that have been made throughout the year, but I figured I should watch the original. It's very well put together. I enjoy the characters and plot. It truly is a masterpiece.
The list of films I feel privileged to see is not too long. This is near the top.
Great movie seen it so many times don't need the subtitles still catch things
didn't see before
Loved the movie, every bit of it.
I have seen this film a few times and always catch something new each time
I've seen this movie at least 25 times now and it'like Citizen Kane, there is always something new I catch as well. It's one of the best films ever made.
G.O.A.T. Material right here
Simply the best movie EVER made.
Yeah, I agree. Every word of your short statement is true.
Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece, a thrilling epic of teamwork that inspired so many filmmakers.