Title: Seven samurai /
Authors: Kurosawa, Akira, 1910-1998; Mifune, Toshirō, 1920-1997,; Fujiwara, Kamatari, 1905-1985,; Tsushima, Keiko, 1926-; Shimazaki, Yukiko, 1931-; Kimura, Isao, 1923-1981,; Chiaki, Minoru, 1917-1999,; Miyaguchi, Seiji, 1913-1985,; Hidari, Bokuzen, 1894-1971,; Inaba, Yoshio, 1920-1998,; Tsuchiya, Yoshio, 1927-2017,
Publisher: Toho Co., Ltd.,
Year: 1954
Subjects: Samurai Economic conditions Drama.; Bushido.; Dueling Japan Drama.; Outlaws Japan Drama.; Brigands and robbers Japan Drama.; Japan History Drama.
Abstract: In 16th century Japan a group of rice farmers decides to take the radical step of hiring a band of mercenaries to defend their rice crop against marauding bandits. The story takes place during a period in Japanese history when society was organized along feudal lines and peasants found themselves victims of both roving samurai and gangs of bandits. Kurosawa portrays 16th century Japan as a society where starvation and calamity are so commonplace that the distinction between bandits and samurai has become blurred. The villagers hire the six ronin, or masterless samurai and one braggart (Mifune) to successfully defend their village, only three of the seven survive. Kurosawa created a visual spectacle in black and white, utilizing fast tracking shots, and quick moving montage for the battle scenes turning a story of feudalism into a modern anti war film. The original version of The Seven Samurai was shown in Tokyo but deemed too long for general release. Shorter versions were eventually released in Japan and the United States. Several years after its release, this film was remade in the United States as The Magnificent Seven starring Yul Brenner and Steve McQueen.