Review of Seven Samurai (1954) by Dan L — 05 Jul 2018

Oh my god.

I've never been too big on old Japanese films, but if this absolute masterpiece is anything to go by . . . I really should try some more of them.

Seven Samurai is over three hours and twenty minutes long, but never for a moment did I feel that the pacing became slow or the plot was stretched thin. Every single moment, every second of the camera rolling, I found there to be precision and meticulousness. Director Akira Kurosawa and his cast and crew did wonders to bring this powerhouse story into possibly one of the most influential movies ever made.

The characters, from the wise and ever-dependable Kambei to the wild, impulsive but kind-hearted Kikuchiyo are so well-defined and well acted. They form the key seven who are dedicated to saving a village from a group of bandits. Honor, respect and determination come to front by doing so, and the audience finds a new layer of affection for these often rough but kind characters. Battle scenes are expertly choreographed, and the chorus music blends with the sound of drums to make a heart-racing, almost suffocating atmosphere of impending attack. The direction demands your attention every second of the way. It's an incredible feat to make a film that spans for more than three hours and never lets the audience lose attention.

A father of all westerns, this Japanese masterpiece is rightfully hailed. I want to put in my own two cents and say this is one of the best films I've ever seen. Seven Samurai is pure gold.