Review of Seven Samurai (1954) by Brittany B — 27 Feb 2015

Synopsis.

In 16th century Japan, a group of cowardly farmers are fed up with a group of bandits repeatedly pillaging their crops, taking their women, and destroying their property. In a frantic last attempt to save their people from starvation and their village from total annihilation, a small group of farmers enter into town seeking out a Ronin to fight off the bandits. They end up with more than they bargained for, 7 samurai!

One Ronin, Kambei, falls in their laps during a hostage situation. Kambei dresses as a monk in order to enter the building and rescue the hostage. Impressed by his bravery, a young samurai named Katsushir? approaches Kambei, requesting to become his disciple. Kambei later, once introduced to the farmers plea, agrees to help out and soon recruits an old friend Shichir?ji. Soon they recruit 3 more: a friendly Ronin named Gorobei, a Ronin named Heihachi, who is recruited to uplift the spirits of the farmers and Ronin, and a master swordsman Ronin named Ky?z?, is recruited after an intense duel.

The last Ronin to be recruited isn't actually recruited. His name is Kikuchiyo, a loud drunk and a cocky wannabe samurai who joins because, despite the attempt of the 6 samurai to drive him away, follows them back to the farmer's village. The 7 Ronin then train the villagers, becoming somewhat like family, and help them rise up against the cruelty of the bandits.

Review.

First and foremost, Kurosawa is the first filmmaker to create this genre. The genre is that of historical fiction with underlying themes of: duty versus inclination, light and shadow, male friendship, and the underdog. Kurosawa's films would later inspire the war, heist, and caper genres we still see in films today. His work also inspired Star Wars and spaghetti westerns (the film A Fistful of Dollars is basically the Americanized remake of Kurosawa's film YoJimo). We aren't talking about some unknown, artsy director here; Kurosawa is regarded as one of the most significant, far reaching, paramount filmmakers in the history of cinema.

If the awesomeness and prodigious reputation of Seven Samurai's director isn't enough to get you to watch it, the film itself is. This film, Seven Samurai, has something for everyone in it. The film has action, adventure, love, stunts, good versus evil, honor, misfits, bravery, the classic underdog, and imperative social commentary (just to name a few).

However, if you are looking for a film that won't take up much time, this is not it. This film is very long (it even has an intermission) but, don't let that fool you into thinking the plot drags on. There is not a single moment of boredom, as the plot moves along quickly with clear storytelling and unique characters.

I highly recommend watching this film at least once in your lifetime. It is a classic that sparked so many films and genres in its wake and is still studied by film students worldwide. It will make you laugh, cry, sit on the edge of your seat, and cheer out loud for the samurai on your screen. The film may have been created in the early 50's, but it still can entertain and relate to audiences today. I believe that is the true test, the test of time, which separates the decent films from the legendary.