The National Daily World Enquiring Globe

Film Review - Seven Samurai, The

I know what people are going to say.

"How could you not like this film? It's a master piece!"

"How dare you not like this film?"

Sorry, I just didn't like it. This is a very slow and boring movie all 200+ minutes of it.

The premise is that there are forty bandits terrorizing a small village. The villagers decide as a last resort to hire a Samurai to protect them. In fact, they get seven gallant warriors. A good hour is blown just gathering the fighters and learn their boring life stories.

Next, the warriors head to the village to figure out how they will build a defense. Chalk up another hour.

Finally, the very slow and dull battle starts. There is no excitement in these scenes. There are three battles in all. So if you aren't quite bored to death after the first, just wait a while, and your boredom will be complete.

There are bits of the story that fall apart in this morality story. We are told all through the film that the villagers are poor and will starve if the bandits win. But later, we learn that they have an abundance of food and wealth. Also, the standard emotion to come from a villager is sorrow. They cry no matter what happens. The emotional motivation just seems to be completely screwed up.

Then there's the bit where the bandits (whom we never really meet) keep attacking even though they keep losing. You would think they would leave after learning that the village was well protected.

So I guess I have to go stand in the corner. I didn't like this movie and I don't believe the sun shines out of Akira Kurosawa's butt.

Dust Bag Full

Film Facts

Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Released in 1954

MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Reviewed by Mongo