It’s ranked thirteenth on IMDb.com’s list of the greatest films of all time.
Aint no denying that Kurosawa and his cast (including Toshiro Mifune) made a masterwork.
And my review of The Criterion collectionsSeven Samuraiafter the jump.
They ride off, but a villager hears their plans.
This proves difficult the only thing they have to offer their recruits is three square meals a day.
Reluctantly joining up, Kambei figures they need at least seven samurai to defend the village.
In the village, Kikuchiyo plays entertainer, although it’s later revealed that he was an orphaned farmer.
In one sequence, Kikuchiyo takes the initiative to spy upon the bandits and steals a gun from them.
There are some debts of gratitude, butSeven Samuraihas nonetheless become one of the most influential film ever made.
Kurosawa helped pen the action book.
As such, movies fromThe Guns of the Navarroneto Johnnie To’sThe Missionhave borrowed from it.
The film is an experience that requires that longer immersion, and every minute is vital.
The brilliance is partly in the structure the story is divided into two by the intermission.
The violence in Seven Samurai is thrilling and justly revered, but it’s also palpable.
In that way, the film genuinely is epic Kurosawa uses nature like a god.
He’s wonderful at composition, but his greater strength in this picture is in how he uses editing.
The work here rivals Sergei Eisenstein.
What Kurosawa did was have these men gather together to fight a war of impossible odds.
That is nothing new.
But what is new is that there is no great glory in winning.
Mifune also stands in contrast to the mindset of many Japanese films.
His boorishness and volume can’t be seen in anything by Ozu or Mizoguchi.
This was on purpose.
And not just because it manages to be just as gripping now as it was when it was made.
And not just because it’s just as involving on each successive multiple viewing.
And not just because it redefined action.
Mostly, because it’s a great entertainment.
Criterion then offered a double dip ofSeven Samuraion DVD, and that is the basis for this release.
Though this is a similar master, the difference in picture quality for the blu-ray edition is stunning.
A two-disc set, the film is now presented on one disc, and the supplements on the other.
A roundtable discussion might have been more fun, but each commentator is exceptionally knowledgeable.
[screen captures courtesy ofDVD Beaver]
