"The Magnificent Seven" And "Seven Samurai" -- Classic Movie Reviews

[@rasnac]

I watched Seven Samurai first as a kid and loved it as an entertaining historical adventure/swordfight movie. Then I watched it again as a teenager and was amazed by the cinematography of Kurosawa. Then again in college and was amazed by depth of writing, underlying themes ans complex characters. Then again and again and again as a grown up... and never got bored. Seven Samurai is like Star Wars or Godfather, or Citizen Kane. There is always something new with every watch. Same goes for Ran and Dersu Uzala, and Throne of Blood and Rashomon, and Dreams and Kagemusha...,and actually almost all of Kurosawa's filmography. He is one of those rare directors like Hitchcock and Kubrick that seem to be incapable of making a bad, or even a mediocre movie.

[@VeganJustToAnnoyYou]

Seven Samurai is still one of the best films ever made.

[@stroboooofficial9851]

My gf reeeallyyу loves this film. We found full movie hereeee => twitter.com/0b791a2bd3f8ef0f6/status/781147911899844613?myE=d5bb896d-dc78-4086-b00c-bb997361c748 "The Magnificent Seven" And "Seven Samurai" -- Classic Movieeee Reviews

[@pamelataitapanui1306]

Тhis movie is now avаilable tо watch heere => twitter.com/1bye5ogcvuilaIh/status/822764125423955968 Тhe MММagnificеnt Sеven AAAnd Sеevеn Samurai Classic Мoviе Reviews

[@rolanddeschain9880]

Same as magnificent seven

[@VeganJustToAnnoyYou]

@@rolanddeschain9880 well Mag7 is basically a copy of Seven Samurais.

[@Diamondwarriorofjerusalema]

@@VeganJustToAnnoyYou well more like a “western version” of seven samurai

[@ZeppelinBigFan]

Seven Samurai is definitely a 10/10 film, I absolutely love it. That said, I still wouldn't call it Kurosawa's best, Rashomon has to be in the top five films I've ever watched. Says a lot about Kurosawa as a filmmaker that five random people could easily name five different films of his as their favorite.

[@AmNotHere911]

Seven Samurai hands down.

[@Shadowman4710]

Agreed.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Pretty sure that's a '99% of everyone' opinion.

[@KainErrow]

I'll be the guy that says, "I'm Alonso!"

[@Endricte3]

Seven Samurai is very re-watchable. Great storytelling and great movie-making.

[@100mythfreak]

Seven Samurai was the first Kurosawa film I watched, and I was just blown away by how amazing it was. It didn't feel like I was watching a 3 1/2 hour-film. But my personal favourite Kurosawa flick is Yojimbo. Now that is a great 'Western,' if it could be called as such, and Toshiro Mifune was the epitome of cool in the movie.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

My personal favorite has to be Kumonosu-jo. Don't know why but I love movies about fate.

[@rekisrax7344]

100mythfreak m

[@davidk6269]

It's ironic that you wrote that "Yojimbo" was a great "western", because it was basically remade into the classic Sergio Leone western "A Fistful of Dollars".

[@erocrush]

People really think Seven Samurai is too long? Come on, people sit through football games longer than this movie every weekend for half the year. I must be weird or something because I've been known to watch the Criterion version three times in a row: once for the movie and two more times for the different commentaries.

[@highwind1991]

seven samurai carries so much weight that you can just pop it on every day and watch it. but revisit it every couple years and it will never age. plus I disagree as a 3 and a half hour film it honestly feels like 2 hours to me

[@highwind1991]

can't just pop it in*

[@iSOBigD]

Yeah, it's one of the only super long movies I watched and enjoyed it all the way through despite some slow scenes.

[@MaiHead92]

I remember when my dad showed me The Magnificent Seven back when i was like 10. I really liked it as a kid but after i saw the Seven Samurai a few years later, i gotta say i enjoy it a lot more. The storytelling is better in Seven Samurai and the characters are a lot stronger than the ones in The Magnificent Seven.

[@putinscat1208]

Of course. It is one of the best things ever, by one of the best directors ever.

[@gork830]

The word for the characters in The Magnificent Seven is 'caricatures'. I mean, look at the title of the film: "Magnificent'. Big, tough and stereotypical. In Seven Samurai they're more like regular men who happen to be samurai--with the exception of Kyuzo, who truly is an extraordinary swordsman. Even then he's exceedingly modest about his skills.

[@Ketraar]

Yes but western were silly over the top most of the time anyway, so no surprise about the "magnification" of it. That is why I like the new one better it is more grounded than the 1960 one.

[@rasnac]

Honestly Alonso, how can you say a movie with such magnificent action scene setpieces is boring?!!! I was a 9 years old when I first saw it and I couldn't take my eyes off this movie. And I'm not American so I've watched the original long version. This is a greatly entertaining movie. And those great battle scenes are one of the best in cinema history and still hold up to today's impossibly high standards with no CGI, or even basic practical visual effects, or professional stuntmen(there were no professional stuntmen in Japanese cinema in those days; you can research it yourselves if you don't believe me).

[@dmc8092]

Seems like lots of people agree with him. It's a matter of taste.

[@theriverhudson4005]

Elmer Bernstein's score is amazing.

[@murdockfiles9406]

Magnificent Seven is a classic movie, but it does not come close to the craft and drama of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai.

[@Lee_Forre]

For me Seven Samurai is wildly entertaining and endlessly fascinating how it still has impact and is relevant to films today.

[@Shadowman4710]

Yeah it can be argued that Eli Wallach's performance is the best thing in what is overall a really great film. He was absolutely fantastic.

[@stephennootens916]

I've seen all three and have to admit although it's sort of an all day film, I love Seven Samurai. It was the one that hit me the most at the end, and the characters were amazing. For me it doesn't feel long, but when I plan on watching it I know before hand that I'm not going to leave the house..

[@Jeni10]

Seven Samurai is the winner, hands down! Akira Kurosawa was a genius director!

[@stephenrutherford8558]

I loved all three movies. The Seven Samurai is for me the best ever made, but I liked the 1960 version and loved the new one. I'm not sure why so many critics seem to be lukewarm to the new one. I thought it was the best movie so far of 2016.

[@JozieLeePro]

Magnificent Seven (2016) this afternoon. Powerful. Humorous. Violent. Fun time at the movies. We loved it. Have seen Seven Samurai (many years ago), and Magnificent Seven (1960), but because this is so fresh to my eyeballs, I'm liking the new version better? Plus, the other stars were great too, but Denzel sold it for me.

[@putinscat1208]

They can remake this 1000 times, but it will never approach The Seven Samurai.

[@Vicioussama]

Not sure which I like more, Rashomon or Seven Samurai :P

[@postercereal3654]

I really enjoy these classic movie reviews. More please!

[@Jessejec109]

I love Seven Samurai

[@argelisplanchart9438]

I still remember when I watched Seven Samurai for the first time. I remember I was a kid but I wasn't a teenager yet, I was probably around 12-13 years old and I stumbled upon it in the TCM Channel, and I just remember being transfixed the second It started right down to the end saying to myself "GODDAMN THIS MOVIE IS SO FUCKING AWESOME, HOW COME I'VE NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE?" I remember just being so compelled in the story and just straight up loving the character of Kikuchiyo played by Toshiro Mifune, but It definetly puzzled how I had not seen that movie before because my parents allowed me to watch some very great but adult movies from a vey young age. I remember being just a kid when I first watched the Godfather trilogy and the classic Hitchcock films, so well I guess it really surprised me that I had not seen Seven Samurai before at that time, although in hindsight it seems like it was just the perfect time for me to watch that movie, I guess I was born to be a Cinephile. I've now seen it 4 or 5 times, no and I still love it, one of the best action adventure movies ever made.

[@andrewtaylor940]

A good follow up movie to watch after viewing Seven Samurai is oddly Gojira (the original Japanese version of Godzilla). Few realize that it was largely made by many of teh same team. Was directed by Kurosawa's good friend and chief assistant 2nd unit director Ichiro Honda and was the film Toho made immediately after 7 Samurai. The Criterion Edition of Gojira is likewise the recommended version. And it is breathtaking.

[@oldcdog91]

I get what Alonso is saying. Although I do enjoy watching Seven Samurai, I'd much rather watch Yojimbo and Sanjuro back-to-back. I probably feel about Hidden Fortress, the way Alonso feels about Seven Samurai.

[@Shadowman4710]

Ahh, that's interesting. I've seen all four films and I still think "Seven Samurai" is the best. I do enjoy the other three though, particularly "The Hidden Fortress."

[@Shadowman4710]

Rodrigo Jerez Tapia Admittedly I have not see much of Kurosawa's "modern setting films."

[@Shadowman4710]

Rashomon and Ran are great films and Rashomon remains one of the more influential films of the 20th century. I've lost track of how many films and tv shows have copied the plot structure.

[@pepetenpiku9953]

More classic movies , pleasse.

[@aohige]

"I don't love Seven Samurai" - and that moment you can visibly sense the loss of respect from his peers and viewers. He immediately realizes this and tries to excuse his reasoning. :P That being said, as amazing as it is, SS is also not my most favorite Kurosawa film either.

[@sudevsen]

it had Seinfeld isn't funny syndrome we've seen it already to meet times so it doesn't pop like Ran and Rashamon

[@coosoorlog]

I can accept that Alonso does not enjoy Seven Samurai. Nobody's perfect. I enjoy "Jingle All the Way".

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

I think Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes is the best Planet of the Apes movie and I'll spend all day arguing that pov. We all have our own 'thing'.

[@coosoorlog]

***** that's great example of this phenomenon. sometimes it's not only one thing. I also really enjoy In Her Majesty's Secret Service and consider Lazenby the best bond.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Coos Oorlog Don't know if Lazenby was the 'best' Bond, although I thought he was a perfectly serviceable one... but I completely agree that OHMSS was an upper-tier film in the series. The only reason Lazenby got savaged by the British press for that role is Brits get really, really pissy when non-Brits play them in movies.

[@coosoorlog]

well to be fair, he was a model who had no real acting experience before that role so that probably played a role as well

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Coos Oorlog It would... had he put on a poor performance. But he was extremely good despite his limited experience.

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

I would watch Seven Samurai over Citizen Kane any day...

[@LittleB2007]

I don't understand why anyone would even think about remaking something that already has a great classic original AND an excellent remake. What's next, Scarface 2020? Gosh...

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

The movie theatre here shows a lot of classic movies as matinees ---right now they are showing Ikiru

[@doomedandbored]

I recently saw Seven Samurai on 35mm in NYC (at the Metrograph). Even though it's 3 1/2 hours, it doesn't feel like there is a wasted moment. The film immediately starts and wastes no time getting the plot going. The recruiting part of the film is so important to the rest of the film and it's what is missing from Sturges film (it's there, but it does not spend nearly as much time as it should have). I also call bullshit on Seven Samurai being too long to watch; people binge watch entire seasons of shows in a sitting or two. The new one should have been a mini series to give time to the main characters so we could get to know them as we did in Seven Samurai. It would have been infinitely better.

[@amphitheatre]

i usually agree with alonso but damn, between saying that citizen kane is more rewatchable (comparatively), and that the old west was a "meritocracy" has me nonplussed. 7sam is a classic and the only reason to feel its length (for me) is b/c the criterion dvd is split b/w 2 discs. its not without problems (still don't like the love subplot) but its aged better than just about anything from the 50s. oh, and it has one of the best commentary tracks OAT, if you're a fan of that kinda thing.

[@FreakieFan]

This might be my favorite WTF video to date. My favorite reviewers talking about 2 of my favorite classics

[@aaronhendrix7347]

Please do more of these classic reviews.

[@unkellgrga9223]

these people are working critics that apparently scroll through their insta feed or what not instead on focusing on the movie Just saw Seven samurai and it floored me how fleshed out relatable and likeable the characters was, the movie felt way shorter than its run time and every single frame had meaning to characters and story Definetely deserving of being called one of the alltime greats

[@VanesaKim]

Love this classic review! Looking forward to more please :)

[@michaeloffgrid]

This video made me want to look into this Christy Lemire's work. I will like the video for that reason.

[@MariaVosa]

My confession: I feel the same way about Citizen Kane. I get why it's important, I admire the technical accomplishment and the cinematography. Bur story wise and acting wise it is rushed and clunky. Plenty of contemporary movies did it better.

[@spyboy1964]

Kurosawa's Yojimbo was the inspiration for A Fist Full Of Dollars, the first spaghetti western

[@codename617]

Kurosawa sued Sergio Leone for plagerism. Leone thought Yojimbo was based on Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest. Kurosawa later admitted that Yojimbo was influenced by Red Harvest.

[@spyboy1964]

@@codename617 yes, I read the book Red Harvest, and I'm pretty sure that Yojimbo was based on that. The main character of the the book even has no name, he is just referred to as the continental op.

[@codename617]

@@spyboy1964 yup. But I'm guessing that the plot in The Maltese Falcon or The Thin Man wouldn't be adaptable to a samurai film as Red Harvest.

[@spyboy1964]

@@codename617 yes, I agree. Red Harvest has an almost western feel about it.

[@douglasharris4295]

I'm with Alonso on this so much. Seven Samurai never grabbed me or moved me. It was always a slog. But I can always rewatch other epics like Lawrence of Arabia, How the West Was Won, Gone With the Wind, Spartacus, and The Big Country.

[@MrPhenom444]

7:00 to 7:25 I feel the exact same way about The Godfather

[@MarioUcomics]

MORE CLASSICAL REVIEW PLEASE

[@nicholas4727]

Seven samurai>magnificent seven

[@icenthropetj9829]

just saw the movie for the newest version and liked it but to the samurai 7, there is an anime that is really good that is the story I'm guessing from the movie. The names sounded familiar and they used that same flag. Worth checking out

[@sunnyzilla4]

Lawrence of Arabia review please

[@gwagnsso]

Please do more of these when you can, highly enjoy the discussion

[@ReverendBenzo]

Sony made the remake? Well, there goes my hope that Half in the Bag will review it.

[@sudevsen]

Anybody ever watch 13 Assassins

[@putinscat1208]

Yeah, pretty bloody..

[@Edges]

Yes, its brilliant.

[@joewells6252]

Awesome flick! I was definitely thinking of that movie as they were having their discussion.

[@yogisiiinchumbahdori7984]

Here is really full аnd gоod quality The Magnificеnt Sеven => twitter.com/4a72421cf11628cda/status/781148543234879489 The Mаgnifiсent Sevеn And Seven Sаmurаi Classic Mоvie Rеvieews

[@Natura1Selection]

What about a Bugs Life?

[@kevinswayne54]

Magnificent ambersons review??

[@sudevsen]

when they make the remake by Michael Bay

[@NoWay1969]

SS needs to be dubbed. Some of us are complete Philistines. 3 1/2 hours of subtitles would make my lips tired.

[@Laughing_Chinaman]

kek

[@Kasino80]

All three have their place.

[@williambiddle7494]

You forgot a bugs life

[@cqtaylor]

Alonso is right, "Seven Samurai" is like cinematic broccoli - it's important, from a history standpoint, but man it's draining to watch.

[@til_thasmokeclearz853]

no it isn't

[@billcipher3946]

cqtaylor Alonso is usually salty about anything

[@emiliagianova3938]

Are you doing reviews on new masters of sex?

[@gork830]

Unlike these guys, who complain about the length of the full version of Seven Samurai, I am quite willing to trade the extra time for the increased depth of the characters and story. I feel Samurai is a far superior film to it's 1960 counterpart. The Magnificent Seven has a lot of strutting and machismo, which is of course a reflection of American power in the post-WWII world. I haven't seen the third film, because superficial seems to be the theme of 21st century remakes of classics. I'll wait until it shows up on video.

[@gork830]

And yes, the Criterion version of Seven Samurai is masterful .

[@cnote3598]

I highly recommend 13 Assassins over both films.

[@sudevsen]

what about Ben Hur 1959?

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

I feel like if you're going to do another remake of the source material you need to once again update the location/era, like modern day gangland or ancient Rome.

[@sudevsen]

magnificent 7 in modern day Juarez

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Sudev Sen I like it.

[@doctorhouse3151]

YOU SIR, know exactly what you're talking aboutl.

[@doctorhouse3151]

My pitch for the actuat remake. Magnificent 7 takes place in 2016 Juarez, Mexico. It's written and directed by Robert Rodrieguez and Antonio Banderas is the experienced leader character. Bad guys are a nasty drug cartel stealing land and food to support their dope operation and you have then something relateable and in the news but mixed with something timeless. That's the film I would have allowed to be made if I was running the studio.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

RMG Productions Title: Siete Psicopata Get Danny Trejo as the Mifune character, Robert LaSardo as the Shimura character and I am so fucking in. Then release the movie in the US in full Spanish with subtitles to illustrate that the theme is each culture retelling the same tale in their perspective. You sir, are onto something beautiful.

[@happyslapstone9552]

More like this please.

[@maxm8589]

Please do a classic review of the great escape!!!!

[@HeartsOfOdiumTTRPG]

you can add Rouge one to this list.

[@basquat76]

I'm not sure i'd call Ethan Hawke a sensational actor. He's decent enough but sensational. Come on now.

[@PETBOY]

Seven Samurai is a movie based on the Chinese clssic 'Water Margi', Western genre Heroism Theme. Chinese Classic novel is a very popular in Japan and korea. When East Asians watch this movie, they all think of 'Water Margi'. Not only because he is a great director, but because he knows Asian literature. In Seven Samurai, Kurosawa quotes from an important book: Water Margin. Water Margin has influenced Asian thinking throughout the centuries. As a matter of fact, there is a part where a teacher organizes seven volunteers. (Story composition and plot, character setting, motif) Obviously, an influence on Seven Samurai.

[@kevinswayne54]

Review more classic movies

[@jessivehadit]

How did James Horner write anything for this? He died over a year a go.

[@TheKomentor]

The Magnificent Seven

[@felicianofrontado3134]

The Magnificent Seven kinda sucks though o_o ...

[@conrad152]

Fun review.

[@MrKJ444]

please please do the lord of the rings

[@MrKJ444]

and Pan's labyrinth for it's 10th anniversary

[@Meerkat73]

7 Samuraja SKOJ-a

[@oldcdog91]

First

[@ddunn67]

I'm with Alonso when it comes to Seven Samurai. I love watching "classic" movies as much as the next guy but Seven Samurai is on my list of overrated movies. Sometimes I wonder though if Ive seen too many movies that imitate Seven Samurai so it doesn't seem that innovative or unique to me

[@FoxxPix]

The new one is just another PC joke piece of shit!!!

[@Ian-ky5hf]

The Seven Samurai is amazing what morons complaining about it being boring and too long!

[@46.56.A.]

Old school movies are generally shit by today's standards. That's the truth.

[@Ash_Wen-li]

I don't think you know what makes a good movie then.