Akira Kurosawa Film Reviews

Benefit All Mankind
The Films of Akira Kurosawa

A website celebrating the work of Japanese
film-maker Akira Kurosawa.

About Akira Kurosawa
Kurosawa's Actors
Film Reviews
Disc Comparisons
Further Reading
Image Gallery
Kurosawa Merchandise

About this website
Thanks to
Index

Website by Paul Mallinson. © 2007-2019
Registered trade marks and trade names
are copyright of their respective owners.

kurosawamovies.com

Filmography

Sanshiro Sugata (1943)
The Most Beautiful (1944)
Sanshiro Sugata – Part Two (1945)
They Who Step On The Tiger’s Tail (1945)
Those Who Make Tomorrow (1946)
No Regrets For Our Youth (1946)
One Wonderful Sunday (1947)
Drunken Angel (1948)
The Quiet Duel (1949)
Stray Dog (1949)
Scandal (1950)
Rashomon (1950)
The Idiot (1951)
Ikiru (1952)
Seven Samurai (1954)
I Live In Fear (1955)
Throne Of Blood (1957)
The Lower Depths (1957)
The Hidden Fortress (1958)
The Bad Sleep Well (1960)
Yojimbo (1961)
Sanjuro (1962)
High And Low (1963)
Red Beard (1965)
Dodes'kaden (1970)
Dersu Uzala (1975)
Kagemusha (1980)
Ran (1985)
Dreams (1990)
Rhapsody In August (1991)
Madadayo (1993)

Kurosawa Film Reviews

It is not our intention to fill these pages with long and boring recollections of plot and storylines. Our reviews will contain only the barest of essentials on that front and are meant more as a springboard for further investigation. While many of these films are over forty to fifty years-old they have lost none of their incredible vitality or ability to influence and inspire, and – we think, and hope you agree – are just as relevant and electrifying as they were when originally released.

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For further information about DVD releases - print and sound quality; extras, and availability - click the disc comparison links.

For further information
about specific actors:
click the actor links.

Links to purchase available editions are also provided.

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Seven Samurai

Released: 1954
Language: Japanese
Running time: 207 mins (NTSC), 190 mins (PAL)
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1

Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Minoru Chiaki, Daisuke Kato, Isao Kimura, Kamatari Fujiwara, Bokuzen Hidari, Seiji Miyaguchi, Yoshio Inaba, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Kuninori Kodo

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Stream

More information:
Gallery, IMDb, Wikipedia, Criterion

What can be said about Seven Samurai that has not been said before? Revered as a classic of world cinema; held in high regard by countless big name film-makers, used by midwives as an instruction video for expectant mothers... Actually that last line was a lie, but you get our meaning: Seven Samurai is a bloody good film.

Entertaining scenes
It's not that difficult to understand why either - none of the 207 minute running time is

wasted with filler. All the characters are likable and believable and an unbelievable tension is built up over a series of hugely-entertaining scenes charting the lives of the titular samurai, protecting the lives of a village of bandit-threatened farmers. It all culminate in a big battle in the rain at the end. Sure: the film has it's quieter, more pensive moments, but overall it's a relentless film with lots of story and lots of interesting characters. Actor- wise Seven Samurai practically

cements at least twenty people into the All-Time Greats category. Mifune and Shimura are both at a pinnacle in their careers, though Minoru Chiaki (Heihachi), Isao Kimura (Katsushiro). Yoshio Tsuchiya (Rickichi), Daisuke Kato (Shichiroji) and Bokuzen Hidari (Yohei) all play memorable roles. The unique face of Bokuzen Hidari - a man who's fizzog has become a comic book icon in Japan - is particularly memorable.
But Seven Samurai is not one

of those dull "actor movies" with lots of pointless dialogue -
it has an honesty and a heart that shines through brightly.

Three hour ride
Watching Seven Samurai is a commitment - three hours is 180 minutes, and this is 207 minutes. That said: the intermission is included in this running time and lasts for around 10 minutes, so can be scratched-off with chapter search. But it's worth the commitment - a three-hour

film that teaches a lot is better than a 90 minute Tony Scott picture. Or Paul Anderson's Event Horizon. Why put up with stuff like that when there are gems such as Seven Samurai available? Don't think "uh, but it's subtitled..." - the subtitles are very simple and you don't have to read them all anyway - plus you can use picture search if you miss any. Seven Samurai is a film that is worth seeing because it is funny, gripping and realistic. It might not be

modern and we might have some problems relating to a bunch of 17th Century peasants. but the overall themes are pretty much universal in their appeal. Seven Samurai appeals to all cultures for the same reason that Star Wars does - it takes universal themes and weaves the central story around them.

Everyone should see it
In our opinion: Seven Samurai is so good, everyone should be forced to watch it at least once a year - particularly as a family

unit - from their early teens until late adulthood. It's not that this film will set them up as a person for life - it won't. But it probably will entertain the hell out of them for a short period of time. Shorter, probably, than that three-hour running time might suggest. Thankfully Kurosawa's adventure epic is well-
represented on DVD. Both BFI and Criterion have full-length versions on the market though the ultimate is currently Criterion's three disc special edition, which is awesome.

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The Hidden Fortress

Released: 1958
Language: Japanese
Running time: 110 mins (NTSC), 106 mins (PAL)
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara , Takashi Shimura, Susumu Fujita

Availability: DVD

More information:
Gallery, IMDb, Wikipedia, Criterion

Another of Kurosawa's 1950's widescreen classics, The Hidden Fortress is a beautifully-shot and fast-moving adventure about a couple of low-lifes who stumble out of a war and into a plot to smuggle a princess and some gold through enemy lines. Toshiro Mifune plays one of his butchest roles as General Rokurota Makabe and the two low-lifes are played by Minoru Chiaki and Kamatara Fuijiwara (both in Seven Samurai). Big surprise is the princess - played by Misa Uehara - who is not

only very good-looking, but also an early archetypal Japanese 'manga babe'. Such is her striking look.

Light-hearted film
From the opening scene onwards it becomes clear that The Hidden Fortress is quite a light-hearted, humourous film - even if there is a lot of suffering on display. This can be primarily attributed to the two lead characters, Tahei (Chiaki) and Matakish (Fujiwarai), who whinge and moan constantly.

Toshiro Mifune also puts in a subtle comedic performance as the General, further underpinning the light-hearted tone of the fillm.

Wonderful Widescreen
The cinematography in The Hidden Fortress is nothing short of wonderful - another example of Kurosawa poineering the use of wide frame photography in his films. The way he frames his actors, and edits complex dialogue scenes has become

the template for modern widescreen cinema.

Birth of modern cinema
It's common knowledge that George Lucas 'borrowed' the plot from The Hidden Fortress for Star Wars (he says that himself in an interview on some Hidden Fortress discs), which is fine. But we think there's more to it than simply 'borrowing' the plot. Look at Star Wars and look at The Hidden Fortress side by side. There are many similarities:

the bellucose music over the opening titles; the opening shot of a group of samurai on horseback approaching Tahei and Matakishi is strikingly similar in feel to the Star Destroyer coming into frame at the beginning of Star Wars. There are many other examples, but we're not trying to illustrate how George Lucas ripped Kurosawa off, just how Kuroawa influenced modern cinema in a visual and musical manner with this film.

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Yojimbo

Released: 1961
Language: Japanese
Running time: 110 mins (NTSC), 106 mins (PAL)
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Daisuke Kato, Takashi Shimura, Kamatari Fujiwara, Isuzu Yamada

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Stream – see comparisons

More information:
Gallery, IMDb, Wikipedia, Criterion

You may never have seen Kurosawa’s classic Yojimbo before, though you’re sure to have seen it elsewhere. Such is it’s influence. Re-made many times – sometimes legally (Last Man Standing), sometimes illegally (A Fistful of Dollars) – but never bettered, Yojimbo’s qualities rarely fail to meet or exceed expectations. The story of a samurai stirring up trouble in a town full of gangsters, Yojimbo has a visual style; a sense of irony and humour, and a pace of action unlike no other,

and it’s clear to see how it raised the benchmark for film-makers back in 1961 when it was first released.

Visually stunning
Much has been said about Yojimbo’s camera work, though only a viewing of the film can properly demonstrate how good it actually is. Kurosawa, Kazuo Miyagawa (Director of Photography) and Takao Saito (Assistant Cameraman) outdid themselves in their work – making full use of the

‘Tohoscope’ widescreen format with extreme framing, accentuating many famous scenes. A highly unusual use of angles; the skilled use of long telephoto lenses, coupled with ambitious moving camera shots, all combine to make something marvellous to watch.

Wonderful music
Composer Masaru Sato was asked by Kurosawa to create a theme for the main character in Yojimbo that had supernatural almost ‘voodoo’

qualities. The bone chinking “Mickey Mousing” music accompanying the infamous scene of the dog trotting by with the severed hand in it’s mouth is an apt prelude to the foreboding of Sanjuro’s signature theme. It makes you smile, only: nervously. The drums, strings and woodwind are in perfect unison from the moment the rousing opening sequence begins. Sato’s music makes you feel as though something amazing is happening. And, let's face it: something is.

An absolute classic
To us it's surprising that Yojimbo isn't shown on TV more often - it's a truly entertaining film that isn't too gruesome by today's standards. That said: it's easily available on DVD with a PG rating. Owning a copy of Yojimbo must be a priority for any Kurosawa fan and thankfully there are some good DVDs around, with plenty of extras. We do have to ask though: will there ever be a high def version? We can but hope.

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Sanjuro

Released: 1962
Language: Japanese
Running time: 96 mins (NTSC), 95 mins (PAL)
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yuzo Kamaya,
Takashi Shimura, Kamatari Fujiwara, Yoshio Tsuchiya

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Stream

More information:
Gallery, IMDb, Wikipedia, Criterion

The popularity of Yojimbo led to a sequel being released the following year, and Sanjuro is it. Mifune returned as the titular main character - a Ronin (masterless samurai) at a loose end and with a penchant for getting involved in other people's business. Tatsuya Nakadai also returned as the film's primary bad guy, only this time with less hair and without a pistol.

Lighter tone
Like Yojimbo, Sanjuro is primarily a comedy, and although the tone of the film is far less bleak than it's predecessor it's not unfair to say that the body count is probably higher. This time Mifune's character stumbles upon an unfolding conspiracy in which a group of young and naive samurai are ensnared in a plot to

frame their master. Full of hubris and with an initial distrust of Sanjuro, the samurai are gradually shown the error of their ways as the flea-bitten hero both helps (and often humiliates) them by showing the way, and killing lots of baddies in the process.

Camera mastery
Although Kurosawa was not able to employ the services of master cameraman Kazuo Mayagawa this time around the visual richness of Yojimbo follows over into this film. Again: use of the widescreen framing, camera positioning and movement are brilliantly realised - particularly when Sanjuro and his eight young disciples are onscreen at the same time. Cinematographers Fukuzo Koizumi and Takao Saito do a particularly good job of transforming potentially

static 'discussion' scenes into wonderfully-shot set pieces. As usual: Kurosawa's script, and editing are marvellous throughout and further accentuate the quick pace with which this film unfolds.

A worthy successor
Sanjuro, it could be argued, is every bit as good as it's prequel. Masaru Sato's brilliant music makes a welcomed return, as do the cast who are mesmerising to watch. By the time the film reaches it's often talked-about ending, the viewer is nothing if not completely satisfied they've been thoroughly entertained. And the action, when it comes, is breath- taking in it's intensity - as you would expect. Sanjuro is an essential part of any Kurosawa fan's DVD library.

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Dersu Uzala

Released: 1975
Language: Russian
Running time: 144 mins
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Starring: Maksim Munzuk (Dersu Uzala), Yuri Solomin (Cpt. Vladimir Arseniev), Vladimir Kremena (Turtwigin), Aleksandr Pyatkov (Olenin), Svetlana Danilchenko (Mrs. Arseniev), Dmitri Korshikov (Wowa, son of Arsenjev), Suimenkul Chokmorov (Jan Bao)

Availability: DVD

More information:
Gallery, IMDb, Wikipedia, Book, Criterion

Kurosawa's Oscar-winning 1975 biopic Dersu Uzala is based on the 1923 memoir of the same name by Russian explorer Vladimir Arsenyev. It follows Arsenyev's many expeditions into the wilderness of the Sikhote-Alin region of Russia in the early 20th century, and his meeting and subsequent friendship with a native of the forest called Dersu Uzala.

Arsenyev's Guide
Arsenyev (Yuri Solomin) and his men are resting around the

camp fire one night when out of the darkness walks a small, elderly man with a large rucksack on his back. He sits, lights his pipe on an ember and introduces himself as Dersu Uzala, hunter of the forest. Arsenyev asks Dersu if he will be their guide, and from that moment on the men become inseparable.

Perfect for the role
Although old, small in stature, and with a funny way of talking, Dersu soon wins over Arsenyev

and his men as they begin to recognise the depth of his knowledge of the wilderness. As a viewer, to watch Maxim Munzuk play Dersu Uzala is joy to behold. You get to thinking: "how on earth did they find this guy for this role?" He could not be any better suited. In fact, all the cast are great in their roles. Munzuk, though, is something special.

Heart-warming stuff
As you sit and watch Dersu Uzala you can't help but be

fascinated by the adventures of this small hunter and his band of friends - no matter how mundane their actions seem to be. They go from scene to scene warming our hearts by rescuing trapped animals, helping mountain hermits, and generally being at one with the landscape.

Turn for the worse
Eventually, though, events do take a turn for the worse and the film ends on a very sombre note. The ending is actually a

real tear-jerker, and you can imagine hushed audiences filing out of the theatres back in 1975 wondering how they were going to sleep that night. Not that there is anything in this film that will give you nightmares (it's perfectly child-friendly we think), but - just like in real life - what happens between people can be so tragic.

Characters make it
What makes Dersu Uzala so powerful are the characters,

and the people acting the roles. Not to mention the rich Russian landscapes, which Kurosawa captures on film so wonderfully in widescreen. The story, and the film's main themes of friendship, survival and loss are all capable of touching the heart of any viewer in any country of the world, regardless of language.
You may come out the other end of a viewing of Dersu Uzala thinking: "what a total and utter

waste of time/life, oh the humanity!". You may be angry, or even be in tears, or feel emotionally shattered by what you have just seen. Ultimately, though - if you discount the ending - Dersua Uzala is an uplifting story about a life lived by a culture lost to time, and a celebration of the Russian countryside and past way of life. Which has been brilliantly recreated by Kurosawa in this unique and fascinating film.

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Benefit All Mankind
The Films of Akira Kurosawa

A website celebrating the work of Japanese
film-maker Akira Kurosawa.

About Akira Kurosawa
Kurosawa's Actors
Film Reviews
Disc Comparisons
Further Reading
Image Gallery
Kurosawa Merchandise

About this website
Thanks to
Index

Website by Paul Mallinson. © 2007-2019
Registered trade marks and trade names
are copyright of their respective owners.

kurosawamovies.com

Filmography