Plot Summary: Two peasant farmers are refugees, trying to return home after a war. They ... (more) (view trailer)
User Rating: 8.0/10 (1099 votes)
Credited cast overview: Minoru Chiaki .... Tahei Susumu Fujita .... General Hyoe Tadokoro Kamatari Fujiwara .... Matakishi Toshiko Higuchi .... The Farmer's Daughter Toshir� Mifune .... General Rokurota Makabe Eiko Miyoshi .... Lady-in-waiting Takashi Shimura .... The Old General, Izumi Nagakura Kichijiro Ueda .... Girl-Dealer Misa Uehara .... Princess Yukihime Koji Mitsui .... Soldier Tadao Nakamaru .... Young Man Rinsaku Ogata .... Young Man Shiten Ohashi .... Samurai Ikio Sawamura .... Gambler
Also Known As: Hidden Fortress, The (1962) (USA) Three Bad Men in a Hidden Fortress (1958) (International: English title: literal title) Three Rascals in the Hidden Fortress (1958) (International: English title) Runtime: 139 / USA:126 Country: Japan Language: Japanese Color: Black and White Sound Mix: Mono Certification: Finland:K-16
This is my third Kurosawa film, having already seen "Ran" and "The Seven Samuri". George Lucas has a feature on the DVD, talking about how the film, and Kurosawa in general, influenced him, and that this movie was in his mind as he wrote the screen play for "Star Wars". He goes to say that he didn't use direct elements of the film in SW, but as I watched the movie, I saw where Han, Obi Wan, Princess Leya, R2, CP30 and Lando all came from. Plus some of, or at least one of, the scenes were direcly adapted to SW.
I love this film, and look forward to seeing more of Kurosawa's work, as well as Toshir� Mifune who played General Rokurota Makabe, our hero for this film.
Posted by David Templar (Member # 580) on :
A friend of mine has the DVD, I was wondering what it was.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
Nothing's truly original.
Posted by The_Tom (Member # 38) on :
*grumbles at Lucas and all that inspired-by-myth bullshit*
Posted by Snay (Member # 411) on :
Gee golly I want a Porsche now! Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
You want a $70,000 Porsche SUV?
Posted by Snay (Member # 411) on :
If you'll pay for it, darling ... Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
Hell no.
Besides, you can get the Volkswagen version. Much cheaper...
Posted by Thoughtchopper (Member # 480) on :
I been saying that shit for years.
Posted by Nim Pim (Member # 205) on :
So, is there action in it as well? Like, shiny metal shafts used to lessen people's health?
Posted by Veers (Member # 661) on :
I tried to watch the Hidden Fortress once, but I couldn't sit through it. Not because it was not in English, but because the Japanese acting style is very different and the movie seemed very slow, so I just turned it off. Maybe now I'll be able to watch it the entire way through.
Posted by Professor Chaos (Member # 621) on :
Woah...
Has anybody ever seen this ?
Posted by Thoughtchopper (Member # 480) on :
the phantom edits are easy to find, if you're interested. Chances are good a Local Video Store has a copy, even.
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
I wonder if a Phantom Edit could save EpII?
Hidden Fortress is probably a little slow for American audiences at first. It does pick up a bit after Toshiro Mifune shows up. He's just great to watch. It is interesting to see the parallels with Star Wars, particularly in regards to the droids. Gotta love Kurosawa. We look forward to your thoughts on Yojimbo and Rashomon, Kosh.
Posted by Nim Pim (Member # 205) on :
I must say I prefer "Seven Samurai" to "The Magnificent Seven", although the latter is a good western-movie on its own.
Posted by Nim Pim (Member # 205) on :
Maybe a Phantom Edit could save Harry Potter, as well.
$$$$$$$$Warning, Potter-ites, Sarcasm Ahead$$$$$
"Look, I have a pet owl who helps me and is great and also very smart!"
Indeed. So? Does he give you advice, like "Don't fuck with the teachers and the house rules on your first year, pipsqueek!" No, huh? Doesn't seem to do anything to the plot at all, does he? Awfully cute, though.
"Hey, here's a shiny little marble that shifts colour if there's something I missed to do!
Yeah, and a lot of good it did to you, I see. Now put it away, the readers among the audience have remembered it now, time to move on to the next book-cameos around the corner!!! Woohoo!
"Wow, I have now aquired the famed "Sorcerer's Stone", a mighty stone that could make me an incredible sorcerer and bring balance to the Force!!!"
Cool, so what does the plot device...do? Does something happen when you pick it up? Hmm, no. Does it shoot death rays at heathens and evil people? Nope. Looks nice and glowy though, kid! Hope it doesn't give ya cancer!
Oh, and you probably shouldn't sneeze while holding it, the Stone could misinterpret it and you'll unintentionally perform a "Howling Dragon's Triple-Firebolt"-spell that kills all your friends walking in front of you.
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
quote: So, is there action in it as well? Like, shiny metal shafts used to lessen people's health?
There are a couple of nice fight scenes, but I don't think there was any heads lolling about. There is one of the best spear fights I've ever seen, in film or live.
All in all This is a very good film, as have been all the Kurosawa made movies I've seen so far.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Where exactly does one see live spear fights?
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Rule One: You do not talk about Live Spear Fight Club.
Posted by Nim Pim (Member # 205) on :
That one's always been bothering me, when ninja clans, or other fighter groups in movies, have domestic tournaments, where they kill eachother to see which one is the fittest.
That's such a stupidass idea, the guys coming at fourth and fifth place was maybe not on par with the winner, but they sure as hell could've pulled their weight in the organization, why kill off good resources??? They were obviously better than the low ones that are cheering in the crowd, not even participating. Stupid elitist asian warlords...*grumble*
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
quote: Rule One: You do not talk about Live Spear Fight Club.
Wish Id thought of that!
quote: Where exactly does one see live spear fights?
Class. We had a good bit of spear work in the classes I took. Not that I got that far, but some did.
[ July 02, 2002, 06:12: Message edited by: Kosh ]
Posted by Thoughtchopper (Member # 480) on :
Whoa. Algebra was nothing like that for me. I shoulda gone to a better school.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Well, I hope Ed was referring to his schooldays, and not some of the training he underwent when he joined the US Postal Service. Can you imagine? Going postal - with spears?
quote:Wish I'd thought of that!
*knowing look* I go on Tuesday. . . you? 8)
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I am Joe's hemmorhaging spear wound.
So, how does one engage in a spear fight w/o someone getting a hole put through them?
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Rule Three: No shoes, no shirts, no not wearing chainmail.
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
quote: So, how does one engage in a spear fight w/o someone getting a hole put through them?
Fake tips.
The Broard swords were light weight and very flexabable, the only real weapons I saw in class was the Bow, Knives, and Nunchaku. No sparing with the real stuff, and not that much with the fake stuff.
Just went to look for the web site. My instructor moved to Washington DC about three years ago. Site is nbot there anymore. Shaoin Do seemed to be big enough when I was in it, but I've been out since before Benny moved. Old Bones, sore joints!
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