Rating: 
Summary: Epic, Moving and Entertaining
Review: I saw this years ago and recently bought the DVD. In short, I was blown away upon viewing it again. Mifune's speech about farmers is one of the most emotionally charged scenes I have ever seen on film. Although the movie is long, each scene seems necessary to the overall completeness of the picture, which can be viewed again and again. I would rate this as Kurosawa's best film (granted I have only seen Ran and Yojimbo to compare it to).The commentary by Jeck is actually pretty fascinating, although it gets a bit tiresome in the second half of the film as his comments shift away from the film and onto the actors themselves. Clearly one of the greatest films every made (in any country for that matter).
Rating:
Summary: Epic
Review: The Seven Samurai is a great study into Japanese culture, samurai pathways, and humanity in general. Each one of the Seven Samurai has a story and it is told well. This film offers swordfighting, a psychological profile of the time, and much more. This movie is indeed epic, there is simply no other word that does it justice!
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite DVD
Review: Sure, other DVDs boast better restoration or spiffier sound. But this is by far the best of the 100 or so I've seen. Why? Not only is the movie itself one of the best films ever made (watching it is like getting a subconscious lesson in how to direct a film) but the second audio track featuring a very knowledgeable film historian is insightful and fascinating. Seven Samurai is a must-own for any true film lover.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest Japanese movie, and one of the best ever
Review: Aside from Lawrence of Arabia, I cannot imagine another movie in excess of three hours that has held me this captive. Certainly, Kurosawa's masterpiece, one of the greatest of adventure movies. Criterion has done its usual superb job in the nearly flawless transfer. Japanese film expert Jeck provides a superlative commentary and, unlike many I've seen, actually discusses the movie nearly scene by scene. Some of the many highlights: (1) the great supporting performances, many from Kurosawa's "stock company" of actors he has used on his many movies, (2) Mifune's great performance, the highlight of which is a lenghty speech given into the camera, revealing his characters background and the reasons for his conflicted feelings about the farmers and the samurai, and (3) some of the greatest action sequences on film, in particular the climatic battle in a driving rainstorm. It is truly amazing how you get swept up into the lives of the characters. If you only were limited to ten DVDs, this is one which must be in your collection. A final note: for those of you who have never seen this film but enjoyed "The Magnificant Seven" (the Americanized version of this story), a warning. After seeing "The Seven Samurai," you will no longer want to waste any time watching Yul Brynner, whose only similarity to his Japanese counterpart is a bald head!
Rating:
Summary: One of the BEST movies I have ever seen!
Review: I became curious about this movie after reading the credits to the Magnificent Seven and seeing it was used as the basis for that movie. I watched the movie and before I knew it, it was over. There are few movies over two hours that move with the pacing and excitement of this one. Typically, if a movie is over two hours I will not view it again. The Seven Samurai is an exception to that "rule." I consider this movie to "have it all." Action, Drama, Human interest, and an amazing cast. Watch this movie, you will love it.
Rating:
Summary: the 7 samurai
Review: I saw this movie at a old downtown Manhattan movie house when I was 11. I am 24 now and this is, in my huble opinon one of the finest movies ever made. It was a favorite of my fathers as well as mine some 13 years later. Toshiro Mifune gives a stunning portrayl of the samurai way of life.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece from the Master
Review: Akira Kurosawa is among the top 5 film directors of all time. "The Seven Samura" is generally accepted as his masterpiece. Everything from the beautiful cinematography to the enthralling story makes it impossible to turn this DVD off. The commentary by Michael Jeck is worth an immediate reviewing of the film. How many other DVD commentaries are worth watching the film a second time? It's without question the most enlightening and entertaining commentary on any DVD I've ever experienced. By the time this movie is over you will consider each of the Samurai a good friend and you will feel their victories and their defeats. Toshiro Mifune is clearly one of the greatest screen actors of all time. Also excellent is Takashi Shimura as the head samurai. Both of these actors perform their best work here. If you have a DVD player and do not own this disc, shame on you.
Rating:
Summary: goo
Review: Easily one of the best movies ever made. Completely compelling even in its long length (227 minutes). I advise any movie fanatic to take a little time out of their life and watch. Kurosawa's direction and Mifune's acting creates the perfect blend, creating something that is somewhat awe-inspiring and magical. The DVD format gives this picture very good quality and should be the preferred medium of viewing. The storyline accounts for all, providing correct dosages of action and humanistic encounter and development. Though primarily character driven, the battle scenes (especially the end) are very fun to watch for both the technique employed and filming. One of the better thirty bucks I have spent.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Perfectly Cast Film Ever
Review: Well, that's the only comment I can add to all the praises that I wholeheartedly agree with. Everyone from Shmura and Mifune, to all the extras, perfectly fit in this movie. If I had read this as a book beforehand, I couldn't have even imagined who look their part more. Also would like to add that it's quite unfair to trash The Magnificent Seven in light of this movie. Asking that movie to live up to the standards of Kurosawa's masterpiece is like asking a little league player to hit a home run off of Pedro Martinez.
Rating:
Summary: Few better than this, anywhere
Review: Quite possibly one of the five or six best movies ever made, anywhere. Simple tale of a peasant village forced to hire samurai to defend them from mountain bandits gains incredible gravity and power as it moves along. Film encapsulates so much of the human condition it's hard to tabulate it all: politics, warfare, violence, the human need to persevere in the face of terrible odds, and on and on. All performances are superb: the everyman-ish Takashi Shimura as the eldest samurai bespeaks great heart and intelligence; Toshiro Mifune as wild-eyed Kikujiro is unforgettable and scene-stealing. Final 45 minutes are unbelievably violent and fast-moving even by today's standards, and never let the viewer out of their grip. Has spawned a host of remakes (most notably "The Magnificent Seven"), as has Kurosawa's "Rashomon", but few if any measure up to the power of the original. Original 208m edition is showcased here on DVD in the correct 1.33:1 aspect ratio; beware shorter prints with much of the drama butchered out. Hard to go wrong with this one in your collection.
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