the Seven Samurais

[Quasqueton]

You know, every thread has to have a dissenter. I loved the Magnificent Seven. When I heard about the Seven Samurai, I had to watch it.

I didn't hate it, or anything like that. I just. . . well. . . found it boring. After a while I got up and started doing things around the house while it played. I left it on for two reasons: 1- to listen in case something interesting/exciting actually happened, 2- to be able to say that I played it all the way through to the end. But I don't really remember how it ended.

I really don't see how anyone can claim this to be a masterpiece/great movie. *shrug*

Quasqueton

 

[ledded]

<snip>
Anyways. I'm a bit overwhelmed.

I've been that way myself after almost every Kurosawa film I've ever seen. Yeah, I know some folks don't like 'em, but if you understand just a tiny bit about Japanese culture, particularly at the time period many of these films were made, it has a lot more impact IMO. Still, to each their own and all that.

All that said, Lucas wants to do a remake of that movie. A quote from Lucas about Seven Samurais: "I had never seen anything that powerful or cinematographic. The emotions were so strong that it didn't matter that I did not understand the culture or the traditions. From that moment on, Kurosawa's films have served as one of my strongest sources of creative inspiration".

Yes, the original Star Wars movie (Ep IV) is a close approximation in story to a Kurosawa film that George really liked.

Allow me to be cynical here: if Lucas learned from that movie about "strong emotions", why oh why, did his characters in SW Ep. 1 and 2 are so devoid of them ? The influence that movie had on Star Wars is very obvious, but he could have kept it up for those two movies. I can't help but shiver at the thought of him toying with such an epic. I hope I'm wrong, and that he's The Man For The Job.

I personally think that Lucas has completely lost his mind in the last 10 years, or has been replaced with an alien clone or something. That's the only thing I can think of after being at least partially responsible for quite a few good films from my youth. But seriously, George, if you're out there... it's okay for you to hire a writer or two and a director. I know you can afford it.

 

[Sarigar]

I thought that the bandits were pretty dumb. After you're down to 13 guys from 40, the leader might have said "You know what guys ? Effed this darn rice, we're outta here !". I really liked the pseudo samurai (with the No-Dachi). Very likable and human. Quite insane too, but that's a redeeming trait in my books. Fascinating scene where he goes and sits beside the enemy rifleman.

Toshiro Mifune is a great actor. His early movies have a large noh influence, yet his range and the characters he plays makes him one of the best actors I've ever seen. My sig from Rashomon tells you I'm a big Kurosawa fan. His turn at Macbeth in Throne of Blood is classic. After all, anyone who actually has arrows shot at him to give the performance that dread and fear is someone who is willing to do anything for the part.


Kurasawa used a lot of clichés with his characters. Like you say, however, many of them began, in film, with Kurasawa. Yojimbo and Sanjuro have Mifune playing a loner, similar to Lone Wolf. In Sanjuro there are some young samurai he helps, and of course he's the mentor to their novices even though they are already samurai.

 

[Farganger]

There are some action movies clichés in seven samurais: the brash young hero, the old wizzened warrior, the lone-wolf perfect and brooding warrior, the raging laugh-in-the-face-of-death warrior, the peasant boy who want's to fight, but IMHO, one must remember: many of these clichés have their origin IN THIS MOVIE ! It's the movies made afterwards that are copies (not that it's a bad thing, but one must give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar).

A wonderful film, I can't dispute that. However, one interesting thing point that's not been made involves the relationship between "Seven Samurai" and "Magnificent Seven". While it's true that the latter film was a reset of the former, in many ways it brought the tale "home" in that Kurosawa drew as much of his inspiration from the Western genre as from Japanese legend and history.

Just thought it was worth mentioning that few of the archetypes/cliches we enjoy in the "Seven Samurai" originate in that film. I don't think that detracts from the film: No new thing under the Sun, and all that . . .

(As an aside, I've recently gotten more interested in films and film-making, as my wife is in the Director's program at the USC School of Cinema-Television. One never knows how these things will play out, but I'm both excited and proud! The (considerable) downside is that she's in LA and I'm here in Boston.)

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

Yes, the original Star Wars movie (Ep IV) is a close approximation in story to a Kurosawa film that George really liked.

"The Hidden Fortress"

 

[Viking Bastard]

It's one of those movies I've been plannin' to see for years, but never do.

 

[barsoomcore]

Yeah, Kurosawa's said that one of his big influences was John Ford, and that The Seven Samurai was his effort to tell a Western in Japan.

And Lucas never said (in the report I read) that he was going to remake the movie -- just that he was going to screen it at USC. I hope.

 

[ledded]

"The Hidden Fortress"

Thanks, for the life of me I couldnt remember the name, even though I saw it years ago. And I was too lazy to go look it up

Yeah, Kurosawa's said that one of his big influences was John Ford, and that The Seven Samurai was his effort to tell a Western in Japan.
<snip>

Wait... so kurosawa was influenced by westerns to make The Seven Samurai which was then later remade in america as a western....

gah... somebody get me off this ride before the spinning makes me throw up...

 

[Dareoon Dalandrove]

I've only seen to the end of part one. It's good but I wish there was an updated translation of it. I watch a lot of fansub anime and I know I'm missing stuff.

 

[Piratecat]

The (considerable) downside is that she's in LA and I'm here in Boston.)

To me, it sounds like an excuse to come over and hang out.