Starring: * Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: Unrated Binding: DVD Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled Label: Criterion Number of Items: 3 Region Code: 1 Release Date: September 05, 2006 Running Time: 207 minutes Theatrical Release Date: January 01, 1954
Amazon.com essential video: Hailed as the greatest film in the history of Japanese cinema, Seven Samurai is director Akira Kurosawa's undisputed masterpiece. Arguably the greatest of all jidai-gecki (or historical swordplay films), Kurosawa's classic 1954 action drama has never been surpassed in terms of sheer power of emotion, kinetic energy, and dynamic character development. The story is set during the civil unrest of 16th-century Japan, as the cowering residents of a small farming village are seeking protection against seasonal attacks by a band of marauding bandits. Offering mere handfuls of rice as payment, they hire seven unemployed "ronin" (masterless samurai), including a boastful swordsman (Toshiro Mifune) who is actually a peasant farmer's son, desperately seeking glory, acceptance, and revenge against those who destroyed his family. Led by the calmly strategic Kambei (Takashi Shimura, star of Kurosawa's previous classic, Ikiru), the samurai form mutual bonds of honor and respect, but remain distant from the villagers, knowing that their assignment may prove to be fatal.
Kurosawa masterfully composed his shots to emphasize these group dynamics, and Seven Samurai is a textbook study of the director's signature techniques, including extensive use of telephoto lenses to compress action, delineate character relationships, and intensify motion. While the climactic battle against raiding thieves remains one of the most breathtaking sequences ever filmed, Seven Samurai is most triumphant as a peerless example of character development, requiring all of its 2-hour, 37-minute running time to illuminate every essential detail of villagers and samurai alike, including an abundance of humor as Kambei's defense plan unfolds. In terms of its overall impact, Seven Samurai spawned dozens of copycat films (notably the American Western remake The Magnificent Seven) and cannot be adequately summarized by even the most comprehensive synopsis; it must be seen to be fully appreciated, and the Criterion Collection's 2006 DVD reissue is an essential addition to any definitive home-video library. --Jeff Shannon
On the DVDs According to the accompanying booklet, "the picture has been slightly window-boxed (in correct original 1.33:1 aspect ratio) to ensure that the maximum image is visible on all monitors." The two-disc format was necessary "to maintain optimal image quality throughout the compression process," with dual-layered DVD-9's encoded "at the highest possible bit rate for the quantity of material included." The picture and sound quality are simply amazing compared to Criterion's one-disc release from 1998. The all-new, fully restored high-definition digital transfer takes full advantage of HD's clarity and crispness, resulting in picture detail far surpassing the previous DVD. This also applies to the soundtrack, presented in optional Dolby surround in addition to the remastered original mono track. The new transfer "was mastered in 2k resolution from a duplicate negative created with wetgate processing from the original fine-grain master positive" (the film's original negative is no longer available), and "several different digital hardware and software solutions were utilized for flicker, instability, dirt, scratch, and grain management."
The complete 207-minute film is accompanied by two full-length commentary tracks, including a new track combining the critical insights of film scholars David Desser, Joan Mellen, Stephen Price (author of The Warrior's Camera: The Cinema of Akira Kurosawa), Tony Rayns, and the dean of Japanese film experts, Donald Richie (author of The Films of Akira Kurosawa). Each scholar is given approximately 40 minutes of film-time, and their commentaries represent a unique opportunity to appreciate Seven Samurai from distinct yet complementary critical perspectives. The commentary by Japanese film expert Michael Jeck (from Criterion's original 1988 laserdisc release) remains useful as a thorough analysis of Seven Samurai, primarily in terms of visual composition.
The 50-minute "making of" documentary, from Japan's 2002 Toho Masterworks TV series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create emphasizes Kurosawa's collaboration with co-screenwriters Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni, including production footage, crewmember interviews, and a reverent visit to the rural inn where Seven Samurai was written over a six-week period of intense seclusion. The two-hour "My Life in Cinema" interview with Kurosawa was recorded in 1993, with fellow filmmaker Nagisa Oshima serving as a gentle admirer, colleague, and well-informed historian of Kurosawa's career. "Seven Samurai: Origins and Influences" is a richly informative documentary that places Kurosawa's classic in both historical and cinematic context, examining its place in the jidai-gecki (swordplay) genre, its accurate depiction of samurai codes and traditions, and its stature as the prototype for many films that followed. The lavishly illustrated 58-page booklet includes eight brief essays on various aspects of Seven Samurai, each written by noted film scholars or film directors (including Arthur Penn and Sidney Lumet). Also included is a reminiscence by the great actor Toshiro Mifune, excerpted from a conversation recorded in 1993. Taken as a whole, the remastered three-disc Seven Samurai ranks as one of the finest DVD sets ever released. --Jeff Shannon
Truly amazing Nothing less than incredible. My fiancee and I loved every minute. Definitely worth sitting down for the whole 3 1/2 hours of this movie.
THE Masterpiece Tension in all aspects best illustrates "The Seven" Warriors without masters who sell out to farmers. Even sexual tension grips the youngest who survives the battle, only to surrender to the true winners. The American rip-off does not hold a candle to the actors, action, or message. Hollywood still can not get it perfect as "The Seven" is perfection and greatness. Swords beaten into plows!
Don't Stop Here Remarkable film. Just don't forget that there's more Kurosawa to be had. Amazon has a Yojimbo & Sanjuro set for sale also that's absolutely stunning. The other 450 reviewers have pretty much said all that can be said about a movie. This is just a friendly reminder to keep exploring.
Often imitated but the original is still the best Hollywood remade the 7 Samurai and called it the Magnificent 7. This was also a good film but the original is still the best. One can learn a lot about Japanese culture by watching it. The villagers also go to the village elder for advice. The hired Samurai village protectors count the number of bandits and assume that they have to fight every last one. They know that none of them will run away, even if the face certain defeat. I guess there is even honor amongst thieves. The love story only constitutes a few scenes, but the class differences between a farmer girl and a samurai determine the end result. Another lesson, love doesn't conquer all and in fact such a union will result in tragedy and unhappiness. Of course the craftsmenship of the film itself is stellar.
Best Samurai Film ... No Epic ever. Yea I know what your thinking and yea this DVD is Pricey (Seven Samurai - 3 Disc Remastered Edition Criterion Collection). But The transfer is great, the special features are sweet, and I believe this is the best possible version of Kurosawa's most influential / exciting film ever. If you are new to Kurosawa this film is a perfect treat to cut your teeth on. Great story, characters, and Plot combined with excellent cinematography add up to one excellent buy.
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