七人の侍 (aka Seven Samurai) (1954)

Set in 16th century Japan, a village of farmers hire seven samurai to help defend their village from bandits who return after harvest time to steal their crops. Directed by Akira Kurosawa (RASHOMON). A popular success in Japan in 1954, the film wasn't released in the U.S. until 1956 and in a cut version. Now considered one of the greatest films ever made, SEVEN SAMURAI lives up to its heady reputation. At three hours and 27 minutes, it's a true epic. The first half of the movie is heavy on exposition and can be a bit tedious but the second half of the film (after the intermission) is thrilling. Attempts have been made to over analyze the film (often chastising it for its perceived condescension to the farmers) much to Kurosawa's displeasure and while there's an intelligence behind it too often missing from action films, I take it for what it is ..... a stunningly crafted action piece. As the foolish but good hearted clown, Toshiro Mifune stands out among the excellent cast. A big thumbs up to Fumio Hayasaka's score. With Takashi Shimura as the samurai leader, Daisuke Kato, Isao Kimura and Keiko Tsushima.