Yojimbo (1961)

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yoko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada, Daisuke Kato, Seizburo Kawazu, Takashi Shimura, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Kyu Sazanka, Eijiro Tono
Certificate: PG
Genre: Samurai, Drama
Awards: None

Whilst many of Kurosawa's films have been influenced by Westerns (particularly those of John Ford), Yojimbo is definitely the one that takes the most from the genre. The empty land in the middle of a ruined town could not be more iconic. In this story, a nameless Ronin takes manipulates two rival gangs into destroying each other by playing for both sides. A plot that would be taken scene-for-scene by Sergio Leone when he made A Fistfull Of Dollars.

The film itself has some beautiful black and white imagery and some brilliant action sequences. Kurosawa again shows he is the greatest director of weather with his use of wind in the tense climax. Overall, however, the film does not have as much to watch for as Seven Samurai or The Hidden Fortress. Whilst still a good film made by a master director, I would not rank it as one of Kurosawa's greatest pieces.

****Good

The Hidden Fortress (1958)

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Misa Uehara, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara, Takashi Shimura, Susumu Fujita
Certificate: PG
Genre: Samurai, Adventure
Awards: None

The Hidden Fortress is one of Kurosawa's most light hearted films, yet it still takes part in a cynical and horrific world. After a princess (Uehara) is stranded in a hostile neighbouring province in Japan, General Makabe (Mifune) has the job of escorting her back home without being found by the enemy. They disguise themselves and there gold inside sticks whilst bartering the help of two farmers who have no idea who the princess really is.

The film is famous for showing most of the film from the perspective of the peasants, played by Chiaki and Fujiwara, as they squabble and show themselves to be selfish and cruel characters. Both characters are endearing if not completely likeable and play a great contrast to the moralistic princess and pragmatic General. Like Seven Samurai, The Hidden Fortress is an ensemble piece that Kurosawa does so well.

The action of the film is a beauty to watch, especially the duel between General Makabe and a rival general using lances. This is the closest Kurosawa ever got to making a simple adventure/action film and thus it is a great film to use an introduction to the filmmaker.

Mifune has the gravitas that one always expects, yet the rest of the actors don't fall by the wayside. Uehara gives just as great a performance as a woman who has never been part of the public and is only now seeing it for the first time. It's rare to see such a focus on a female performance by Kurosawa and yet - like a few others such as No Regrets Of Youth - it is done wonderfully well by both director and actor.

The Hidden Fortress may not be the most respected of Kurosawa's films yet it is certainly incredibly enjoyable. The story, performances, characters and directions allow for a marvellous experience that is most definitely recommended.

*****Brilliant

Throne Of Blood (1957)

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Akira Kubo, Takashi Shimura, Takamaru Sasaki, Yoichi Tachikawa, Chieko Naniwa
Certificate: PG
Genre: Samurai, Fantasy, Horror
Awards: None

Throne Of Blood is the first of Akira Kurosawa's adaptations of William Shakespeare. This time around he takes on the dark and heavy material of Macbeth. This time, however, it is told as a samurai story about the ruler of Cobweb Castle.

A Great Macbeth has to have a great, well... Macbeth and Toshiro Mifune delivers with every ounce of his being, proving he is definitely the Marlon Brando of Japanese cinema. His brooding and powerful performance is miles away from his character in Seven Samurai. Supporting characters are also worthy of note, especially Yamada's Lady Macbeth and the spirit - played by Chieko Naniwa - who replaces the three witches.

The story is dark and thus the visuals are shown to be just as gritty, terrifying and dismal. There is little action until the end so one should not expect the violence of Kurosawa's previous samurai film as this more ponderous on the atrocities committed by the single character of Washizu and the guilt that reaches into him and his wife, leading to a brilliant climax that has become one of the most memorable images of Kurosawa's career.

As a follow up to Seven Samurai (counting only Kurosawa's Jidai-geki films), Throne Of Blood is a very different beast and is perhaps less enjoyable (especially if one is tired of the Macbeth story) yet it is unique take on a famous play with a brilliant collection of performers and stark imagery that still makes this a great piece of cinema in its own right.

****Good

Seven Samurai (1954)

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Takashi Shimura, Toshiro Mifune, Seiji Miyaguchi, Ko Kimura, Daisuke Kato, Minoru Chiaki, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Keiko Tsushima, Kamatari Fujiwara
Certificate: PG
Genre: Samurai, Action, Drama
Awards: None

Since its release, Kurosawa's Seven Samurai has acquired quite a status, being his most famous film and the most well known samurai film in the history of cinema. It has also been the influence for many other films, from The Magnificent Seven to A Bugs Life.

The story revolves around a village in 17th century Japan, poor and in desperate need of help due to an oncoming attack by bandits which will rob the population of the means of survival. To defend the village, Seven Samurai are hired led by the wise and noble Kambei (Shimura).

Each of the samurai are given varied and enjoyable personalised that justifies their existence as each gives something different to the film. Kyuzo (Miyaguchi) stands out as the aloof master swordsman as does Katsushiro (Kimura) as the young rookie who goes through his first romance. It is Mifune, however, who once again shines the brightest as the hot headed Kikuchiyo,  stealing almost every scene he appears in.

The action is often applauded in Seven Samurai and one cannot disagree. It is fast paced and grim, with many of the battles in the village appearing a lot like an ant nest attacking invading ants thus giving it a very animalistic approach. The human drama is just as phenomenal with many characters being shades of grey rather then black and white. The farmers are found out to have killed weak and lost samurai when they have the chance whilst the samurai are not always shown to be the completely honourable characters they are normally portrayed as.

At three and a half hours long, Seven Samurai is still worth anybodies time as it is one of the finest pieces of cinema and storytelling you will find with stunning imagery, a brilliant score, wonderful characters and action scenes that put many modern films to shame. it is not as beautiful as Ran, Kurosawa's later period piece; it is more brutal and realistic. Yet that creates a beauty in itself.

*****Brilliant