What Kurosawa's 7 Samurai Taught Me About Movies

Legendary film director Akira Kurosawa has been my latest obsession. I've recently seen his films; Ran (1985), Ikiru (1952), and most recently Seven Samurai (1954). All three of these films have been logged into my list of 100 greatest films and all three are worthy of their own video analysis. Today, I'm diving into Kurosawa's Samurai epic. A near perfect 200 minute experience that showcases talented performances, passionate writing, and gorgeous visuals. I feel like selecting the clips for this video was the easiest task I've had as a film reviewer. Every second of this film looks beautiful and it was easy to visualize my review thanks to cinematographer Asakazu Nakai. The more time I spend watching and re-watching this film the more I recognize it's influence in films today. I'd recommend watching the film before watching this review!
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[@jitendradoc]

Thank you for this review. The younger generation must be introduced to these gems of films. Though our collective senses are numbed and blunted by endless use of CGI, gore, cacophony and meaningless gimmicks, we can still go back in time and watch moviemaking at tis best. Seven Samurai teaches us to delve into human emotions and nobility in face of adversity. It teaches us the use of shadows and lines. It is the example of the mesmerizing power of stories to capture our emotions. Thank you again

[@DadCanInJapan]

I don't know how many times I have seen this movie. When I first moved to Japan in 1989, I had a chance to see a remastered version in the theatre with my girlfriend (Japanese). During the movie, I leaned over and whispered that I love this particular scene. She asked me if I understood the Japanese since there were no subtitles. I said that I didn't; I just remembered what they were saying since I had seen it so many times.

[@marklloyd4087]

Brilliant film, watched it when I was 12,54 now still a great film.

[@waitingisfun]

The greatest movie of all time. I doubt we will make one as good as this.

[@tetrisitaliaclipsmlnz2042]

This video is very underrated, great job, really! i'm studying to become a comic book writer and this movie changed me A LOT!

[@bobthabuilda1525]

Good luck with your career! I hope it goes well for you. I always wanted to be a comic book writer myself

[@speedycube3239]

same

[@b.t.walker2295]

I enjoyed your analysis of my favorite movie, but the samurai didn't have a year to train, only the time it took for the mountain barley to ripen. Since the town's low-land barley is already ripe, it's only a matter of one or two weeks, at most a month, before the bandits attack. Kambei's hair only grows a little in the movie. He would have regrown his topknot in the year's time you suggest.

[@MyOwnNameWasTaken]

At 2:56, the Fellowship of the Ring is an odd example, given that it is an adaptation of a book that was written before The Seven Samurai was filmed. Are there specific elements in the composition or execution of the film adaptation which can be traced directly to The Seven Samurai?

[@leedobson]

I agree that was a misjudged choice

[@calebclendenin7073]

Yes. Even if Lotr were younger than Seven Samurai, the assembly of the Fellowship is not much like the assembly of the Seven

[@jitendradoc]

Happy to see this great review. This movie is actually a textbook on movie making. This movie tells us that the story is foremost and its movement propels the capable actors to do what they should. You have done a review completely different. Thank you With love from India

[@thefilminformer]

Comments like these make my day so thank you so much for being awesome and I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@jitendradoc]

@@thefilminformer Actually creators like you make KZbin a better place. Sometimes the reviews initiate us to unknown and lesser known movies which are in fact great pieces of art. There are many reviewers for recent movies. But, people like you create interest among us about classic movies. In these days of boisterous, meaningless and soulless blockbusters, the movies of Kurosawa, DeSicca, Bergman, Satyajit Ray and other masters feel like breath of life and fresh insight. I sincerely hope that creators like you grow and become beacons of meaningful discussion in future. With love from India Jiten

[@tahnadana5435]

i cry every time i watch the scene where the samurai just arrived at the village and no one would come out to greet them, and than kikuchiyo did the false alarm thing.. all the villager panicked and the samurai just ran out to saved them... without knowing anything... that just get me.. they are trained elite warriors given a high risk test which essentially just for thank you and a pat on the back

[@katelynnweaver593]

Firstly, I have to say I am in love with the color contrast in Ran. Also, I completely feel you when it comes to modern day movies cutting the run time by not having enough character development. I do wonder... What are some of the (modern) movies that you know that don't do this? Would you say that the "spaghetti western" movies also have focus on selflessness within the characters like in this film? P.s. I love the layout of the video!! I can't wait to see what you put out next! :)

[@thefilminformer]

All of Paul Thomas Anderson's movies are long, close to three hours if not more. He is great at building his characters and exploring their minds. Though, his films usually focus on anarchists, who are not all likeable. Anderson makes great character studies! Tbh I haven't seen enough of the spaghetti westerns yet to really say. While the war Lord's and bandits would qualify as selfish I would say that Seven Samurai is more about the kind hearted ronin building a relationship with the town of farmers, which is not a common situation in this time period.

[@scottlibman7870]

I have watched this movie so many times. And I will watch it many times more. I never get tired of watching it.⛩️🇯🇵

[@ericrecano8557]

Agree on all points-every few years when I put this film on-I HAVE to watch it to its completion. It’s THAT good. Thank you for putting in words what I’ve always felt about this masterpiece.

[@iakona23]

Great analysis. Thank you!!

[@37view37]

Nicely done video. Watched this wonderful movie twice this weekend and then along with a quartet of film scholars’ commentary. I feel so uplifted by the time I’ve spent exploring this long-time favorite of mine. I’m so fortunate to have seen Ran first-run in a theater. I saw Seven Samurai the first time in a 50 year old theater running art-house titles in Newport Beach back in the late ‘70’s. I love your wisdom for a relatively young person. I’ll be checking out your other videos.

[@thefilminformer]

Exploring Kurosawa's filmography was and still is an enrichment of my life and I aim to share his work, along with others like Bergman, Luis Bunuel, Tarkovsky - with younger film enthusiasts as well as develop a conversation with those who have more experience than I. Thanks for your time and enjoy the other vids!

[@37view37]

All your listed master directors had showings rotated at the old Balboa Cinema in Newport Beach, CA back in the ‘70-80’s. I remember being amazed by Solaris there. Wish I’d taken the opportunity to view Mirror there as well. It’s so much richer seeing these on a big screen. Bunuel had that amazing Un Chien Andalou collaboration with Dali that is a must viewing once, like Eraserhead. Bunuel was also a very good writer for more mainstream films. Bergman’s Virgin Spring was a watershed viewing for me very early in my life (talk about Kurosawa’s influence - wow). When Von Sydow gets ritually prepped for his vengeance still echos in my mind - it’s so, well, Biblically informed. Keep up your fantastic work holding out these works of art for all generations even as the movie-going experience apparently wanes. They still touch hearts and minds. It’s the outworking of our being created in God’s image, and that is a good thing.

[@Finarphin]

10:45 -- Toshiro Mifune never forgot that speech.

[@hrsantiago]

great work!

[@bobschenkel7921]

So happy I have all the Kurosawa movies you talked about, plus a few more, on good ol' Blu-Ray. To have and to hold. Watching them again is like visiting old friends. You just want to check in on them, and make sure they're doing okay.

[@alexandervue9464]

Amazing video

[@nickmitsialis]

I saw 'Ran' a bazillion years ago in the theater; when Gen. Kurogane kills Lady Kaeda at 11:56 it was quite shocking, in spite of everything that has happened up to that point, especially when Kurogane matter of factly tells his Liege Lord, they're doomed and he better prepare to die and that he (Kurogane) will be joining him shortly.

[@pickleman40]

You are very lucky, that moment, and entire sequence must have been intense in theaters, I know it always leaves me speechless

[@nickmitsialis]

@@pickleman40 there was the shock at first, but my audience laughed a bit, given Lady Kaeda got what was coming to her.

[@GriffinSteve15]

Great content! thank you

[@thefilminformer]

Thanks for the appreciation! You rock!

[@milannikolic7401]

Fantazija odlican film. Veliki pozdrav iz Srbije 🇷🇸❤️

[@MrrAlien]

This was awesome!!!

[@thefilminformer]

Seven Samurai is awesome!!!

[@w00master]

Kurosawa = the greatest director.

[@Ronariverah]

Thanks

[@venkatbalu6844]

Good work, keep doing videos

[@thefilminformer]

Thanks, I plan on it!

[@powerofberzerker9487]

LOTR FOTR and 7 Samurai are GOATS.

[@TheSunMoon]

Seven Samurai + The 13th Warrior + 13 Assassins. Recruiting-a-team trope done pretty well. Yeah, I like The 13th Warrior, don't judge me pls 🥺

[@bobo8741]

One of the greatest films never made

[@bobsbigboy_]

It was made tho

[@myearsloveit]

thanx👍

[@yahirosama863]

Whats the name of that piano melody you used ?

[@user-ty7ko4mb5u]

멋진 풍경을

[@tkgawa]

You say that much of what you note in this video is not original to you, and that may very well be so, but you are the only KZbinr I have ever heard acknowledge the ambiguity between the "samurai" and the "bandits." They are all bushi, just under different circumstances, lending currency to Kurosawa's assertion that morality is a choice. Unfortunately, the samurai who works for rice is much more of an invention than the one who takes it by force. Even then, the mere belief that the virtuous bushi could exist, is what we need to carry on.

[@summerwell8262]

His sword is not too big, in medieval Japan there were different schools of fencing and one of them was specialised in long swords. In medieval Europe there were also knights fighting with Two-handed swords, Claymores or Zweihänders.

[@danortiz]

It is big. It's out of the norm. Even if the samurai were proficient in it, it would not be his weapon of choice to carry and travel.

[@summerwell8262]

@@danortiz nodachi and odachi swords were very long and were used in battle kzbin.infoLDdS2LCLB4w?feature=share And anyway, that character uses it because he just wants to show off he is a “real” samurai

[@danortiz]

@@summerwell8262 "used in battle" yup. Not carried around

[@summerwell8262]

@@danortiz i agree: normally warriors wouldn’t carry it around but that character wants to show off, therefore it makes sense he carries it around as a macho symbol of his supposed prowess

[@danortiz]

@@summerwell8262 exactly

[@entertainingandfun2719]

I have always desired to know what colors they are all wearing. Anyone know if any props or records survived?

[@randywhite3947]

The Asphalt Jungle did the same thing Seven Samurai did but 4 years prior.

[@wolverinex4243]

This and movies like Zatoichi set the standard for movie making.

[@Rocky-xx2zg]

The actress Mother of the kidnaped child is not listed in the Cast, if anyone knows her name , let me know. Thank you in advance.

[@richardla8656]

What mic do u use

[@thefilminformer]

Shure SM58

[@Chisoceanu]

you forgot about "the 13th warrior"

[@sup7751]

You welcome

[@thefilminformer]

Love the positivity

[@sup7751]

@@thefilminformer you welcome also nice vid homie

[@hasaan_b]

gg brother we got em real good

[@thefilminformer]

Good game bro bro

[@peterdollins3610]

Great film. Though 'La Strada' by Fellini is the greatest film ever made.

[@absarsyed3013]

Yo GGs bro we were a sick valorant team

[@thefilminformer]

Hell yeah brother

[@richardla8656]

HiAbsar

[@rando_webb8704]

It's highly likely that A Bugs Life got its inspiration from 7 samurai.

[@---ws5xd]

日本人の誇りだ。

[@user-fd8fe9hk9q]

westerns were around before seven samurai and it didnt "spawn the genre"

[@user-fd8fe9hk9q]

@@NiclasLoof fair enough, the Western wouldn't be the same without the samurai film. I was just saying westerns were around before seven samurai

[@pickleman40]

Its a really interesting parallel between cowboy westerns and samurai movies where there was this desire to idealize the cowboy/samurai according to the culture at the time, and the challenge movie makers had when they moved away from that. Blazing saddles comes to mind as well

[@calebclendenin7073]

@@pickleman40 another funny thing people have pointed out is that some Samurai movies, such as Yojimbo, are set during the same time as Westerns, just in a different place

[@pickleman40]

@@calebclendenin7073 thats a good example of moving away from tradition, showing samurai at their lost vulnerable and desperate place in history was very common in kurosawas work, yojimbo in particular occurs almost directly before the boshin war

[@jaknife99]

Lord of the rings an american classic?

[@TRIPP5_Shurikens]

Philosophy has really made it impossible to watch these things without getting annoyed. You keep referring to the guys as "selfless" whenever they do something that benefits other people. Does no one even entertain the possibility that it might be in one's self interest to benefit other people?

[@pickleman40]

Pseudo intellectual drivel

[@toofan123]

Your analysis has no depth and no knowledge of the time the movie is made. Seven samurai made after WWII. The Japanese pride ruined by the decisive defeat. The village represents the Japan, the bandits represent the defeat and sense of postwar hopelessness. 7 samurai depict the Japanese pride, spirits and the solution to their struggle. The message is to unify villagers (Japanese) based on Japanese values and cultures. In order to do that, villagers should abandon the homes outside the village to protect larger interests. This is a very symbolic movie deeply influenced by the condition of Japan at the time.

[@amaulana090]

While I understand what you are saying... I don't think it's necessary to know the circumstances behind the movie to appreciate it. This analysis has shown that the 7 Samurai is a great movie, fullstop. It's a film you can simply sit and watch and fully appreciate without prior context. These days, it's easy to see people praising unremarkable art, explaining how the circumstances and history behind the art makes it so great... But when you have to explain why the art piece is good, then that artwork isn't all that good, is it? 7 Samurai is a great film that can be enjoyed in a vacuum, and that's what matters most.

[@jamesess9943]

Marvel movies are a joke. I wish we still had directors like Kurosawa.