rating:
(out of
4 stars)Japan; 1958
Directed by Akra Kurosawa; produced by Sanezumi Fujimoto, Akira Kurosawa; written by Shinobu Hashimoto, Ryuzo Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni
Starring Toshirô Mifune, Misa Uehara, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara, Takashi Shimura, Susumu Fujita
Below you will find a temporary review for this film. The real (better, more complete) review will be online very soon.
'The Hidden Fortress', one of the great inspirations for 'Star Wars', is a
more commercial and therefore more entertaining film from Akira Kurosawa.
Although 'Rashomon', 'Yojimbo' and 'Shichinin No Samurai', to name a few,
are better movies they are more serious and artistic than this one.
Toshirô Mifune, Kurosawa's favorite actor, gives another fine performance as
a general who has to protect a princess (Misa Uehara) and make sure a lot of
gold is save as well. With the help of two greedy peasants (played by Minoru
Chiaki and Kamatari Fujiwara), who also want their share of the gold, they
must try to cross the border where they will be save.
May be it is a little less serious, it does work on every level. An
interesting story, great action sequences, beautiful images and a lot of
funny moments. Especially the two greedy men get a lot of laughs. Not the
best he has made but definitely another great movie from the great Akira
Kurosawa.