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Seven Samurai

Play trailer 1:37 Poster for Seven Samurai 1956 3h 28m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 103 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food. A giant battle occurs when 40 bandits attack the village.

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Seven Samurai

Seven Samurai

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Critics Consensus

Arguably Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece, The Seven Samurai is an epic adventure classic with an engrossing story, memorable characters, and stunning action sequences that make it one of the most influential films ever made.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian 10/27/2021
5/5
The glorious vigour and strength of this film is presented with such theatrical relish and flair: its energy flashes out of the screen like a sword. Go to Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe 05/04/2021
There are many excellencies in [Seven Samurai]. The acting of the men who are unknown to American audiences but whose talents are obvious; the careful building of suspense; the realism of the battle scenes... [and] the beauties of the countryside. Go to Full Review Helen Bower Detroit Free Press 05/04/2021
[Seven Samurai ] rates my unqualified whoops of approval. Go to Full Review Marcelo Paredes Cinencuentro Oct 6
... Seven Samurai is a monumental work not only because Akira Kurosawa demonstrates technical mastery in handling so many characters on a grand scale,...but also because it presents a profound human drama. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Pat Padua Washington City Paper Apr 30
For three and a half hours, this epic immerses you in a tradition that passes on its wisdom to the modern world through sheer entertainment. Go to Full Review Aaron Neuwirth Why So Blu 12/02/2024
5/5
Whether it’s the story, the characters, the action, the grand sweeping nature of the film, or just the excitement and fun that comes with this story, it is satisfying in pretty much any way I look at it, along with being as essential as any other classic. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tom B 04/02/2025 Epic film. Phenomenal cinematography and story telling, especially given that it was done in 1954 -- 70+ years ago. See more Advik 11/07/2024 I like long movies, but this was one of the few where I felt exhausted throughout. However, the direction and acting are so compelling that you cannot help but to feel inspired by its efforts. See more Rose A 10/15/2024 A true classic, amazing See more Jack 09/22/2024 It’s literally one of the most influential movies ever. Just go watch it. See more Dan B 07/31/2024 Everything. The greatest film ever made. See more Anthony G @Antnee 11h Seriously people? This movie is slow as molasses and the plot is so basic. Maybe it was a technical achievement at the time and inspired other many other filmmakers, but I found it objectively unwatchable. See more Read all reviews
Seven Samurai

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Cast & Crew

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Akira Kurosawa

Director

Toshiro Mifune

Kikuchiyo

Takashi Shimura

Kambei Shimada

Yoshio Inaba

Gorobei Katayama

Seiji Miyaguchi

Kyuzo

Minoru Chiaki

Heihachi Hayashida
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Seven Samurai

Seven Samurai: 4K Restoration Trailer - 70th Anniversary Seven Samurai: 4K Restoration Trailer - 70th Anniversary 1:37 Seven Samurai: Trailer 1 Seven Samurai: Trailer 1 3:58 View more videos
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Seven Samurai

Seven Samurai (1954) Seven Samurai (1954) Seven Samurai (1954) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food. A giant battle occurs when 40 bandits attack the village.
Director
Akira Kurosawa
Producer
Sojiro Motoki
Screenwriter
Shinobu Hashimoto, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Toho Company
Genre
Action
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 19, 1956, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 5, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 29, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$487.3K
Runtime
3h 28m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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