Review of Seven Samurai (1954) by Matt P — 23 Jul 2011

Inspiring such films as "The Magnificent Seven," and "A Bug's Life," Akira Kurosawa's epic adventure film "Seven Samurai" is one of the most original action films to date. The film came out in 1954, and has never looked better now. Kurosowa's direction stands out even among some of the most highly regarded and respected directors of the 1950s. "Seven Samurai" is a movie that was ahead of it's time, starting most of the "wars" seen in simple towns containing helpless peasants, villagers, or farmers.

In the 16th Century, a Japanese village fears the worst as their rations of food grow scarce and an army of evil bandits come nearer. The bandits, a good 30 men, promise to come back and raid the village when the barley is ripe. Terrified, some of the more leading farmers (one named Rikichi, and an old man named Yohei), seek out the deadliest samurai's to protect their village when the disaster strikes. From the shots Kurosawa gets of this small village, it's a tragedy to think not only of what will happen to the people, but merely of what the people represent. The village is tiny and not much to live for, but it's clear that it's these people's homes and only a cruel amount of literal bad guys would deprive these poor peasants from their land.

The way Kurosawa depicts the Samurai is different from what one would expect. Instead of layers or armor and weapons (which is what the bandits show) they appear as monks, or almost even normal people. However, when they show their skill (one particularly skilled samurai named Shichiroji slits enemies and cuts on a dime), they prove to be quite intimidating, and one can guess when it comes down to battle their casualties are great. Hopes are high, but when the action commences, the villagers find they have it in them to take on the Bandits, all they needed was a little hope and encouragement. It's a compelling story, and one that is completely believable to have happened around that time in history.

With intense action and swift justice "Seven Samurai" cuts it's way into the importance of film. Look back at this masterpiece and see just how films like "The Last Samurai" or "Kill Bill" were sparked from it. You'll have to pardon me for the loss of words, this movie was quite a lot to take it, seeing how it contributed so much to the film genre "action/adventure.".