Film Of The Week #19 - The Seven Samurai

Karl Hungus · 18-05-2007 05:39AM #1

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047478/

Oh yes. It was only a matter of time before Kurasawa would be up here. Pretty much all of his films deserve a FotW thread, but this week, it's none other than his epic, The Seven Samurai.

It must be said that I don't think it'll be long before the likes of Yojimbo, Ran, The Hidden Fortress, Rashomon and a number of other Kurasawa masterpieces are nominated.

Anyway, there's no doubting that Samurai is probably one of the most influential films in cinema history, and probably the most remade, having western, sci-fi and animated versions made after it. Essentially, by the time I'd seen the film, I felt as though I've already seen it several times by proxy, as everything from A Bug's Life to an episode of Firefly has been a version of the Seven Samurai story.

Still, despite the familiarity with the subject already, the film remains head and shoulders above any other versions, and really remains an incredibly beautiful, well acted and overall enjoyable film. It was very much the birth of the modern action film as we know it.

Discuss.

Lemming · 18-05-2007 10:26AM

Phenominal film. Even though it's 3 hours long, you wont think you've had your attention held that long by the film. I remember the first time I saw it years ago when i was about 17/18 and BBC2 were showing it very late at night on a friday. I was totally blown away by it.

I've managed to get my entire family watching it one night after I got the DVD, and despite several of them not liking the whole subtitle think in general, they all merrily sat there watching it with interest. Just goes to show the appeal this film has.

johnny_ultimate · 18-05-2007 11:03AM

Heh I dropped Ran a nomination last week, and this baby gets nominated.
What a work of art. Its a spectacularly epic film - the three hours you are watching feels like 6, but it consistently holds your attention throughout. It all leads up to a spectacularly effective fight in the mud, which must have been an absolute nightmare to film. But this is Kurosawa, who will go out of his way to make films look as impressive as he can.
Western cinema rarely has anything on this level or scale.

Rabies · 18-05-2007 03:11PM

I picked this up a few months ago. Still haven't got around to watching it. Really must at some stage.

19-05-2007 05:55PM

Close one there, thought I saw "the last samurai"

Ive been meaning to watch this one. Must check the local video store for it

Karl Hungus · 20-05-2007 11:57AM

Deleted User wrote:

Close one there, thought I saw "the last samurai"

Yes, that's a rather not so good film alright.

It was enjoyable, but Hollywood fluff at it's fluffiest.

Wacker · 21-05-2007 12:04PM

Very, very good film. It is funny to see the origin of so many character types that are now cliches. They started here.

TheIrishGrover · 23-05-2007 01:54PM

Love this show. I completely agree with everything the OP said. Just wanted to add though that when people talk about SS it all sounds worthy and important to see. It is of course but it's also damn exciting and a really fun watch. People could be put off that it's B+W and subtitled but if ye are folks, don't be. Was the first subtitled film I remember enjoying years ago at about 15 or so. Was my gateway to foreign films.

so, IMO: Worthy, important, influencial, artistic, intelligent.......... AND KICK ASS!!!

Sad Professor · 23-05-2007 02:17PM

Truly one of the greatest films ever made. For anyone with a multi-region dvd player I thoroughly recommend the Criterion Collection 3-disc dvd of this classic. As already mentioned this film has inspired everything from Star Wars to Saving Private Ryan. And although Kurosawa himself was heavily influenced by the American western (John Ford in particular), he gave back far more than he took and his contribution to the genre is especially noticeable in Sergio Leone's work.

Karl Hungus · 25-05-2007 10:47AM

Have to say, I'm suprised that there wasn't as much discussion for this film. Odd.

But I suppose, what's been said that hasn't been said before?

Petey2006 · 25-05-2007 11:15AM

Seven Samurai is one of only 5 films I've ever given a perfect 10 to. It's an absolute classic, and edges out Yojimbo, Rashomon, and Hidden Fortress as Kurosawa's best movie. It's so very very good.

Cianos · 14-12-2007 10:58PM

I used to do ninjitsu, a martial art which draws a lot from the ancient techniques of samurai and ninja. Seven Samurai captures that beautiful atmosphere that I felt in my classes. Brilliant film

Film Of The Week #19 - The Seven Samurai

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