Seven Samurai

Movie

1954

3h 27m

Japanese

Action, Drama

User Score:

8.7

Critic Score:

Watch on The Criterion Channel

A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.

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Seven Samurai

Movie

1954

3h 27m

Japanese

Action, Drama

Play Trailer

Watch on The Criterion Channel

WATCHMODE

8.7

IMDB

CRITIC SCORE

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Cast

Kikuchiyo

Kambei Shimada

Gorobei Katayama

Kyuzo

Heihachi Hayashida

Shichiroji

Katsushiro Okamoto

Shino

Rikichi's Wife

Manzô - Father of Shino

Mosuke

Yohei

Rikichi

Gisaku, the Old Man

Kidnapper

Coolie A

Bun Seller

Grandfather of Kidnapped Girl

Samurai

Bandit Scout

Blind Player

Samurai Who Kicks Farmers

Keiji Sakakida

Gosaku

Shinpei Takagi

Bandit Chieftain

Shin Ōtomo

Bandit Second-in-Command

Directed By: Akira Kurosawa

Written By: Akira Kurosawa (Screenplay), Shinobu Hashimoto (Screenplay), + 1 more

Featured Comments/Tips

DarkKn1ght says...

8 years ago

Seven Samurai can only be described as magical piece of art. * Don't let the 210 minute tag on the movie scare you. It is worth the ride and experience. * Each samurai has a distinguished trait which makes them memorable and allows the audience to form a bond with them * The cinematography is simply outstanding especially when it comes to the scenes that include rain. * An easy to comprehend plot with thrilling action scenes is also what adds to the appeal of Seven Samurai. * Depicts the Japanese culture and relation between Samurai and Farmers in the 1600s. Memorable movie quotes: * This is the nature of war: By protecting others, you save yourselves. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. * Danger always strikes when everything seems fine.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 60 0

Lurple says...

2 years ago

When I was young, this is the film that taught me subtitled long b&w foreign films can be absolutely magical. This is forever on my list of favorites. Cinematic perfection.

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cardootj says...

one year ago

It's easy to see that this film had a big impact on other movies. The way Kurosawa builds a shot is just **beautiful**.

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soonertbone says...

7 months ago

It's a wonderful, shocking movie and probably my favorite in Japanese cinema. There's probably not another movie I can think of whose runtime is as justified--here, the 3+ hours we get to spend fly by, even though most of the movie is not spent in action sequences. Instead, the movie devotes time and space to characterization, to the slow build-up of logistical preparation, and to quiet moments for the characters that are far more memorable than the (more than adequate) action bits at the end. It's too big, in some ways, to absorb in one sitting and it's one I'd like to return to at least once more.

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Featured User Reviews

saundrew

10/10 9 years ago

This is considered one of the greatest films ever made for a reason. I honestly don't think I can add that much to the discussion, but here goes. I start watching it and always think I'm not going to like it as much as I remember. I'm not crazy about the opening due to the pace, but I fe More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 110 0

Matthew Brady-deleted-1534855046

10/10 7 years ago

Let me ask you a quick question: When you're watching a movie, what's the first thing you notice or look for? Acting? Lighting? Color? Shots? Shapes? All of these are just naming a few great elements of what makes a movie so special, as there's plenty more out there that I probably left More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 40 0

KayP_97

10/10 2 years ago

Farmers living in a village in Japan are constantly harassed by bandits who steal their crops Scared and desperate to protect what they have left, they hire a group of seven samurais to help them fend off the bandits, while also teaching them to defend for themselves.

I have not seen any other Ak More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

KayP97

9/10 3 years ago

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