Rating: 
Summary: Worth owning the DVD
Review: The other reviews can tell you about the movie, but I'd like to add a reason for owning it on DVD. The audio commentary track by Michael Jeck makes it worth owning even if you have this classic film on VHS. Although he's not the most exciting or engaging speaker, his knowledge of Japanese cinema and the people involved in the production make it worth a few listens. If you're a Kurosawa or Mifune buff there are plenty of titles to get you started on a good collection. If you want to broaden your collection to include other Japanese actors and directors Jeck's commentary will point you to other fine films. Jeck highlights the careers of almost every supporting actor, including a few that just walk by in a single shot. Also, many of the stories about the production and about the careers of Kurosawa and Mifune are delightful. Jeck even has stories about members of the supporting cast. Commentary tracks have become fairly standard on DVD now, but not all are particularly useful, informative, or entertaining. This commentary is all three, and it alone makes it worth adding the DVD to your collection even if you already own it on video. If you don't own it on video, by all means order it immediately. Anyone who buys videos should have this classic on her shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Kurosawa's masterpiece
Review: Once in a while a movie comes along of such pure genius that it sets the standard for everything in its genre that comes after it; "The Seven Samurai" is one of them. The plot is simple enough; a small Japanese village in the 16th century is periodically pillaged by a roving gang of brigands and hires seven samurai for protection. If this seems similar to "The Magnificent Seven", it is; the "Mag Seven" was a direct [remake] of "The Seven Samurai", and a much inferior film. Kurosawa got everything right in this movie. The acting, the cinematography, and above all, the directing, are absolutely perfect. Toshiro Mifune was never better than in his portrayal of Kikuchiyo, the wannabe samurai who despises his farm roots. Takashi Shimura is strong and sympathetic as Kambei Shimada, the aging samurai who recruits the other six, Yoshio Tsuchiya is excellent as Rikichi, the village peasant who has his own reasons for wanting revenge on the brigands, and Seiji Miyaguchi gives a fascinating performance as Kyuzo, the expert swordsman whose one interest is perfecting his skill as a killing machine. The climactic battle, shot in a torrential downpour, is like nothing I have ever seen on film. The word "awesome" seems inadequate in attempting to describe the total experience of "The Seven Samurai". It's among the ten best films ever produced in any country in the history of film-making.
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: Being totally blown away by Akira Kurosawa's "Ran", I had to see more of his work. I was not disappointed. There are not enough adjectives to properly praise this film. Even my 3 year old daughter recognized Kurosawa's influence on other movies-she watched a samurai sequence and promptly proclaimed "Star Wars!"
Rating:
Summary: A Breathtaking Masterpiece.
Review: Akiro Kurosawa revolutionalized not only the whole western genre, but the entire motion picture industry when he released this film in 1954. And just so you'll know, this is not a movie. DIEHARD is a movie. ARMAGEDDON is a movie. SEVEN SAMURAI is a film, when the definition of a film meant a piece of art captured on the spinning reels of a camera, intended to evoke style, story, and meaning through a visual arena. There is absolutely nothing I nor anyone can say that would describe the importance of this film, and I believe it to be one of the top three films of all time, maybe even number one. The good points are just too many too count. Moral complexity, sacrifice, rage, and honor all combined into a perfect piece of beautifully orchestrated action and drama. Toshiro Mifune is a standout as a wisecracking, often childish, but masterful swordsman. But he is only one of many superb performers in this, perhaps the greatest action/drama ever to grace the silver screen. If you ever have the opportunity to see the fully uncut version and decide against it...there is something wrong with you. One of my all time favorite movies.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: This movie is one of the great Japanese Auteur masterpieces. With social commentary and entertainment rolled into this neat little package it's a must have.
Rating:
Summary: I've seen this movie over 25 times since 1960,
Review: and I rarely watch movies more than once. I've seen chopped versions, butchered versions, not too bad versions, and full versions. This is the full version, and every shot is needed. I see something new and worthwhile every time I watch it. It is certainly the best action movie I've ever seen, and no other action movie has ever come close (save perhaps the beginning of "Private Ryan"). It is the masterpiece of one of the world's greatest directors, and may well be the best film yet made. I know of no one who has only seen it once. You can watch it entirely as a simple action movie and be enthralled and uplifted; eventually you will see that it illuminates some important universal truths. Yes, it drags in a few places, but who would want a perfect film? This is as close as you get from a human director. People will still be enjoyoing this film a hundred years hence.
Rating:
Summary: this movie has everything
Review: The day I saw this movie for the eight time I was a bit sad. It seemed so appropriate to have seen it seven times! It is one of Kurozawas masterpieces where one can really see the influence of Shakespear on his films, but he gave the west back! Western movies were never the same after Kurosawas films hit the west and as directors in USA and Italy stole from him, he stole back from other western directors. Everything is perfect in the seven samuarais, beginning with the actors, with the plots, with evel against purity with the ronins (samurais without masters, the lowest a samurai could get) stuck in the midle, deep in the mud, pride against proudnes, love and high adventure. Who is the winner in the end and who are the loosers. The beautiful song tells us spring is there and time for the rise to be planted. What is life, if not spring, summer, autumn and then winter. Kurosawa could sometimes wait days, months for the right light for a scene. Maybe not a problem if you only have a few dedicated actors and unlimited funding, but a bit more tricky if you have a thousand extras waining dressed for battle. After one such incident he could not find funding for a new film for 9 years, until the russians gave him the money for Urzula Derzula. Some decades later it was the star war directors who funded his next big movie. Why? Because he was their hero, their inspiration. Thats how good Kurosawa and the seven samurais are. The best.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST PICTURES EVER MADE!
Review: Well, wher does one begin on this picture. It is one of the best pics. ever made. Kurosawa, knew how to tell a great story. Like he has so many times before, with Yojimbo, Kagemusha(the shadow warrior), etc.... I have loved everyone of his moives that I have ever seen. If you like samurais and enjoy a look into the past of feudal Japan, or are just looking for a great movie to watch. This is it. You will not be let down! An thank you to my hunny, if it where not for his love of Japan and his love for it's wonderfully rich history, in a people whose code of honor was like no others. I would have never come to love these movies, and enjoy them as much as I do now.
Rating:
Summary: The film of films...
Review: I think every action hero EVER owes this film in spades. But while action heros these days are the likes of Bruce Willis (who's made an intelligent turn a few times, as of this writing) and Casper Van Dien (UGH), this film exudes intelligence. Late in the film, one of the great lines of cinema is uttered between Toshiro Mifune and (I believe) Takashi Shimura...: (Kikuchiyo (Mifune) is thrusting a pile of swords into a dirt mound) Kambei Shimada (Shimura): Why do you have so many swords? Kikuchiyo: Because I must kill many...! This, of course, shows the human frailty and bloodlust of a single person, all in one line. Mind you, there's an exceptionally good reason that Kikuchiyo is so upset, but I won't dare ruin it...For those that love a good movie, you should be walking out the door as you read this to pick it up...
Rating:
Summary: Best Japanese Movie Ever Made!
Review: If you hate black and white movies with subtitles, think again. One night when I was sleeping at my friend's house he asked me that since I love Japanese history if I wanted to watch The Seven Samurai. Like any teen being asked to watch a three and a half hour long foreign black and white film I didn't expect to like it. I watched it and was instantly amazed at the quality of this masterpiece. This movie is well written, well acted and is highly entertaining. Surprisingly it will even make you laugh and it isn't at corny acting. For anyone who hates black and white movies with subtitles, watch this and it will change your mind. So if you like Japanese history and swords then I would highly recommend this work of art.
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