A classic and a true epic (Seven Samurai (DVD))

Member Name: rossy

Product:	Seven Samurai (DVD)
Date:	17/07/01 (150 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great film, audio commentary

Disadvantages: none

I couldn't believe it when I saw that no one had ever reviewed the "Seven Samurai" on DVD.
So here we go the first review for an all time classic film. Many of you may of heard of the film "Seven Samurai", but even more of you will of heard of "The Magnificent Seven", which is a Hollywood remake of the "Seven Samurai". The film was directed by the famous Japanese director Kurosawa Akira who also made many other classics that have had remakes e.g. "Yojimbo" remake "Fist full of Dollars".

The film is set round a Japanese farming village that has been constantly attacked by bandits over a number of years. They have decided to no longer put up with the attacks and send out 3 villagers to find Samurai who are willing to work for food and shelter, a hard task. Obviously they find seven such Samurai of varying characters and ability. We have the lead Samurai and his pupil, the skilful loner, the enthusiastic but unskilled, a crazy man ( the comic character), and 2 other experienced Samurai. They are mixed bunch of wannabe Samurai and Ronin (Samurai whom have no master and wander the countryside looking for work). We are given a small introduction to each Samurai as they are recruited into the gang in different ways. They go back to the village and begin to train the villagers and build the defences of the village. As they prepare for the bandits the Samurai and the villagers begin to bond even though they are a few clashes between them as we uncover hidden secrets of the villagers that cause upset to the Samurai.

Eventually the bandits arrived and we are treated to some brilliant battle scenes, which are even more remarkable considering the technology that was available to film makers then (1954). The battles with the bandits continue over several skirmishes with some of the Samurai being lost. Finally we have the showdown with the bandits as they all out attack the village. I don't
want to give to much of the ending away even though you could probably guess it. This film has depth of character unrivalled in any other film I have ever seen. It has a detailed and engaging plot and fight sequences of a realistic and gritty nature that modern films have only just begun to reproduce. This film is a classic of all time and has been studied by many a would be director to understand the art of film making. Finally this film is in black and white, subtitled, and over 3 hours long, but don't let this put you off as it is well worth the effort to watch.

Well that's enough about the film what about the DVD. Many old films translated onto DVD give you option to play film and chapter selection and that's it, not however this film. There is standard chapter selection and audio set-up, plus audio commentary over some of the key scenes. The whole film has been digitally remastered and has more special features then you would expect for such an old film and thus has done very well in its translation on to DVD. Not loads of extras but enough with the audio commentary explaining the methods of direction used and story elements.

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