Toshiro Mifune, Misa Uehara, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara, Takashi Shimura

A general and a princess must dodge enemy clans while smuggling the royal treasure out of hostile territory with two bumbling, conniving peasants at their sides; it's a spirited adventure that only Ak...( read more  read more... )ira Kurosawa could create. The Criterion Collection is proud to present this landmark motion picture in a stunning, newly-restored Tohoscope edition.

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91% liked it

11,904 ratings

Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.

Directed by: Akira Kurosawa

Release Date: January 1, 1958

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DVD Release Date: April 9, 2002

Stats: 708 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (708)


  • December 27, 2009
    this was fun! but where was luke? or was that george lucas' own contribution: a hero named after himself lol
  • December 11, 2009
    Nice Classic.
  • October 1, 2009
    A fantastic film!!! Another classic from the master of cinema, Kurosawa paved the way for so many film makers. It really annoyed me watching the introduction by Lucas. He makes out that this is an OK film, his forth favourite Kurosawa film. Pah! if it weren't for this film, or sh...( read more)ould i say, if it weren't for him ripping off this film, he wouldn't have a career! It beats the hell out of Star Wars!!! Fujiwara & Chiaki play the brilliant bumbling duo who's performances inspired R2-D2 and C3PO and Mifune and Shimura's performances show exactly why Kurosawa chose them for most of his films. A wonderful film!
  • September 2, 2009
    General Rokurota Makabe: Hide a stone among stones and a man among men.

    An adventure film involving a rag tag team, sword fights, princesses on the run, gold, and epic widescreen frames. Its another good film from Kurosawa, although I was not as taken by it as some of his other ...( read more)works.

    The story involves two peasant farmers, who are refugees, trying to return home after a war. They find gold, and join with a mysterious powerful-looking man and a mysterious beautiful girl. Together they attempt to smuggle the gold across the border and evade capture.

    Its a simple set up for a two hour plus film. Film length never really bothers me, but I have a feeling I would have been more interested if I saw this on a huge screen. It has some sweeping, adventure type situations occurring throughout, which would just be better appreciated in the larger venue.

    The film manages to be funny and exciting. A main influence on Star Wars, you can see this kind of adventure film setup in many popular films decades later. Badass hero, beautiful but spunky heroine, comic relief side characters, and wipe transitions. It has all these elements and looks great through Kurosawa's lens.

    Its an enjoyable film, but probably more engaging for a bigger audience seeing it on a large, wide screen.

    Tahei: Get away from me! You stink of dead bodies!
  • March 19, 2009
    Funny, and overflowing with excitement and fun.
  • January 26, 2010
    The mere existance of Star Wars - Episode IV owes this film its reputation. Review coming someday...

    99/100
  • November 4, 2009
    Inspired Star Wars... I should watch this!
  • October 25, 2009
    Hide a stone among stones and a man among men.-General Rokurota Makabe

    ...( read more)
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    Director:Akira Kurosawa
    Cast:Makatari Fujiwara,Minoru Chiaki,Misa Uehara
    Genre:Adventure
    Year of release:1958
    Running Time:139 minutes

    Plot:
    In the Sixteenth Century, in Japan, Tahei (Minoru Chiaki) and Matakishi (Kamatari Fujiwara), two rascals and greedy peasants, are trying to return to the city of Akizuki through Hayakawa, after an unsuccessful attempt of making money with the war between the clans of Yamana and Akizuki. While warming themselves in a fire, they find gold with the symbol MT. Suribachi of the Akizuki hidden in the firewood, and they decide to search for other branches. Tahei and Matakishi meet General Rokurota Makabe (Toshirô Mifune), who is secretly protecting Princess Yukihime (Misa Uehara), and without knowing their identities, they accept to escort and help them in the transportation of the gold through the enemy lines to Akizuki.

    Review:soon...
  • October 12, 2009
    A wonderful action comedy, presaging a genre that was only perfected decades later. The Criterion DVD has commentary by George Lucas discussing the film's influence on "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back."
  • August 29, 2009
    Matashichi & Tahei characters were funny. Toshiro acts brilliantly to carry the film. :)

Comments


  • IRONMANBLAST
    February 28, 2008
    IT SHOULD BE TAKEN AS HONOR AND GRATITUDE THAT LUCAS'S IDEAS FOR THE EPIC WERE SPAWNED HERE.

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