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Gaf, Seven Samurai...what say you?
- Thread starter fluffydelusions
- Start date
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I didn't particularly llike Dreams. I guess it's not actually bad though.
Dammit, I've been trying to save money lately....thanks a lot.
Only 2499 dollars on Amazon!
Bobby Roberts
Banned
Truth.
I got this, which isn't exactly a complete collection, but my life was definitely enrichened nonetheless:
Trailer: http://youtu.be/6FVjzZxUYE4
GODDAMN.
M0nochromatic
Member
Yeah, it might be my favorite film OP. The best scene is Kikuchiyo's monologue after he brings the equipment the farmers have acquired to the other samurai. Also, the soundtrack is amazing.
Not even close.
Not even close.
HORRORSHØW
Member
i first saw this when i was around 11. i thought it was too slow and plodding. saw it later when i was older and completely changed my mind.
shira
Member
DontBeThatGuy
Member
Great film, incredibly influential. I don't know if it's my favorite Kurosawa(Yojimbo, maybe) but I haven't rewatched any of his films in over 10 years, so things have gotten a bit fuzzy.
super-famicom
Member
Excellent movie, one of the greats.
I'll repost from what I wrote here a few weeks ago:
"Quite possibly has the most authentic and terrifying hand to hand combat ever put to film. So realistic people to this day think some of it looks fake, presumably because there aren't fountains of blood when someone is cut. In even the best movies, excellent swordmen are God-tier with their weapon choreography. Seven Samurai is the only movie to portray it as the insane, sloppy, one-sided, murder festival that it is.
Just thinking about those women with pitchforks brings the feels. It's the only "war" movie that really shows what war is like, and it's not even a traditional war movie with armies or anything. It's just 7 guys altruistically helping a peasant village survive against a mob of staving guys trying to survive themselves. Glory and honor? GTFO, ithey're completely irrelevant to the film.
Also it's 60 years old and nobody has even come close or entered the same ballpark in any way whatsoever. Even the best anti-war films ever made don't touch the raw human honesty Seven Samurai pulls off effortlessly.
That movie is simultaneously a window into 16th century Japan and into the human soul for any culture or time in history. It also grows on you. I first saw it at 16 and meh? Cheesy. Second and third viewings were better. But over the last 10 years it grew in my mind as the cinematic equivalent of the 9th symphony."
Also, I highly recommend Harakiri. It's my second favorite Japanese film. The original, obviously.
"Quite possibly has the most authentic and terrifying hand to hand combat ever put to film. So realistic people to this day think some of it looks fake, presumably because there aren't fountains of blood when someone is cut. In even the best movies, excellent swordmen are God-tier with their weapon choreography. Seven Samurai is the only movie to portray it as the insane, sloppy, one-sided, murder festival that it is.
Just thinking about those women with pitchforks brings the feels. It's the only "war" movie that really shows what war is like, and it's not even a traditional war movie with armies or anything. It's just 7 guys altruistically helping a peasant village survive against a mob of staving guys trying to survive themselves. Glory and honor? GTFO, ithey're completely irrelevant to the film.
Also it's 60 years old and nobody has even come close or entered the same ballpark in any way whatsoever. Even the best anti-war films ever made don't touch the raw human honesty Seven Samurai pulls off effortlessly.
That movie is simultaneously a window into 16th century Japan and into the human soul for any culture or time in history. It also grows on you. I first saw it at 16 and meh? Cheesy. Second and third viewings were better. But over the last 10 years it grew in my mind as the cinematic equivalent of the 9th symphony."
Also, I highly recommend Harakiri. It's my second favorite Japanese film. The original, obviously.
Cripplegate
Member
The final battle scene is one of the best action sequences put to film. Much of that has to do with the care with which Kurosawa establishes both the characters and setting (e.g. devoting scenes to planning the defense of the village with maps, etc.). It's one of the most elaborate and coherent setpieces ever.
Throne of Blood is the GOAT, however. Just a masterful film, and maybe Mifune's best performance.
Ran is good but honestly I find it a little overlong and too didactic in the final stretch. Kurosawa could be pretty heavy handed at his worst, which is apparent in parts of Ran (and some random films like e.g. High and Low) and outright sinks some of his early or later films, like The Most Beautiful (propaganda, admittedly, so maybe it gets a pass) and Dreams (which I frankly cannot stand).
His stretch of films with Mifune in the 50's and 60's is legendary, though. Rashomon is also pretty groundbreaking.
Throne of Blood is the GOAT, however. Just a masterful film, and maybe Mifune's best performance.
Ran is good but honestly I find it a little overlong and too didactic in the final stretch. Kurosawa could be pretty heavy handed at his worst, which is apparent in parts of Ran (and some random films like e.g. High and Low) and outright sinks some of his early or later films, like The Most Beautiful (propaganda, admittedly, so maybe it gets a pass) and Dreams (which I frankly cannot stand).
His stretch of films with Mifune in the 50's and 60's is legendary, though. Rashomon is also pretty groundbreaking.
Screaming Meat
Unconfirmed Member
I prefer Yojimbo/Sanjuro, but Seven Samurai isn't far behind. It's a classic action movie that puts most others to shame. Hell, it's the template for most action movies that came after.
Also? Kyuzo is the nuts.
Also? Kyuzo is the nuts.
Hours Left
Member
It's a masterpiece.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
Hah, I have it also. Problem is that I keep getting sidetracked by a desire to view other Japanese film-makers' products for the sake of diverse learning. So the shoebox just sits right now. Best part isn't necessarily the value I got the movies for (at half-price, too), but that none of the DVDs are pictureboxed, an issue plaguing some Criterion DVDs from that period.
True Savior
Member
darkwing-buck
Member
My favorite Kurosawa film 
PuppetSlave
Member
Great movie, it's one of those movies that don't really age.
darkwing-buck
Member
The closing shot in Seven Samurai still sends chills.
CD'S BAR
Member
how can you have that wonderful avatar and this ugly opinion at the same time?
ran and seven samurai are both great.
Net_Wrecker
Member
True Savior
Member
Help me then.
I rewatched it a few days ago especially to see if my opinion changed. It didnt. That middle section of the film is hard to go through.
Masquerader
Member
Watched it after The Magnificent Seven (a great movie in its own right). My immediate reaction was something along the lines of 'Goddamnit. Even when the west makes something decent, they still fuck it up badly in comparison to the original'. It's just amazing.
Net_Wrecker
Member
lol @ "Help me then." Nothing I can do if you truly don't enjoy it, but I'll fight for Stray Dog to stay out of the "bad Kurosawa movie" category. I love the heatwave "everybody's annoyed" atmosphere and Kurosawa's take on noir/procedural in general. Holds up well, I feel.
Union Carbine
Member
Amazing.
There's a great commentary on the Criterion edition (not sure if it's on any other editions) with a Japanese film historian-- I'd go so far as to say it's a must listen.
There's a great commentary on the Criterion edition (not sure if it's on any other editions) with a Japanese film historian-- I'd go so far as to say it's a must listen.
The first time I saw it I stumbled upon it playing on tv (apparently I had only luckily missed the first 10 minutes). It was so enthralling I sat and watched and watched and watched. Now, it's one of my all time favorite films.
It's not my favorite Kurosawa - that would be Rashomon - but it's second.
It's not my favorite Kurosawa - that would be Rashomon - but it's second.
J
Jotamide
Unconfirmed Member
This is me. I enjoyed it a lot but I guess the internet hyped it way too much. The cinematography for 1954 was bonkers though. My dad liked it well enough to ask me to bring more Kurosawa films. Since Seven Samurai was my first film of his I'm open to anything, he only asked for it for be shorter. Any suggestions?
crazyrabbits
Banned
Own the Criterion DVD set.
Still an amazing film.
Still an amazing film.
What a concidence, literally just bought the Criterion blu last week. Haven't been able to rewatch the actual movie yet -_- But some of the extras are nice and the packaging is damn good.
Yojimbo, Rashomon, and Throne of Blood for samurai; High and Low, The Bad Sleep Well, Stray Dog for crime/noir.
Yojimbo, Rashomon, and Throne of Blood for samurai; High and Low, The Bad Sleep Well, Stray Dog for crime/noir.
ShadowSwordmaster
Banned
One of my favorite films.
Probably a perfect movie. I love the ability to have each Samurai so unique and different. That felt way ahead of its time to me, like an RPG where you have a party of seven all with unique personalities and abilities.
Going on a good 15 years since seeing it in film class, hasn't dropped below Top 3 for me. I don't really like ranking things, but my 5 favorite films haven't changed much in a long long time. Everything after that is just a pile of great movies, but Seven Samurai is always near the top.
Going on a good 15 years since seeing it in film class, hasn't dropped below Top 3 for me. I don't really like ranking things, but my 5 favorite films haven't changed much in a long long time. Everything after that is just a pile of great movies, but Seven Samurai is always near the top.
Slackbladder
Member
It's one of the greatest movies ever made but I doubt it would be that popular now. But of course popularity does not equate quality.
Some of the photography is still breathtaking. I love it. My favourite Kurosawa? That might be Throne of Blood but I really could'nt choose. Probably would pick Seven Samurai if I had too.
I believe at the time it was the most expensive film ever made in Japan.
Some of the photography is still breathtaking. I love it. My favourite Kurosawa? That might be Throne of Blood but I really could'nt choose. Probably would pick Seven Samurai if I had too.
I believe at the time it was the most expensive film ever made in Japan.
SpaceHorror
Member
It's incredible. Probably the shortest nearly four hour movie I've ever seen. I'd say High and Low is my favorite Kurosawa, but really they are both equally great.
I've yet to see a Kurosawa film I don't like. Not many left for me to see.
I've yet to see a Kurosawa film I don't like. Not many left for me to see.
shadow_shogun
Member
Overrated.
This. Throne of blood is where it's at. Kurosawa's greatest movie.
Count of Monte Sawed-Off
un33dab@dpu$$y
Ive been meaning to watch this again. It's been awhile. I've got 3 copies of it. Two DVDs and one blu.
Fancy Clown
Member
You only need 4 more
Nappuccino
Member
now I know what I'm rewatching on the weekend. Thanks gaf
Goddamn, that's such an amazing cut.
30yearsofhurt
Member
Sanjuro is his best film.
Fancy Clown
Member
The cut is amazing and so are the shots. Look at the depth of motion going on in each frame. You've got the archer, going one way in the forground, and then the peasants running the oppostie way in the back . Fluid cut to the arrow hitting the guy and he falls back as horse feet run forward. And in both you have rain crossing against the main movement of the shot, and all of it works in tandem to sell the absolute impact, power, and grace of the action. That's why Seven Samurai is proabably the greatest action movie of all time. It does this throughout 3+ hours of perfectly paced film.
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