Seven Samurai

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Seven Samurai

1956

3h 28m

Action

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100%

Tomatometer

104 Reviews

97%

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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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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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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Oct 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.

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Marjory Adams

Boston Globe

May 4, 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.

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Helen Bower

Detroit Free Press

May 4, 2021

[Seven Samurai ] rates my unqualified whoops of approval.

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Patrick Marlborough

The Saturday Paper

Sep 17, 2026

You mutter "How on earth?" because of Kurosawa’s humanism, which emerges as you spend two-and-a-half hours watching the film’s comic relief shift to its shattered moral centre.

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Marcelo Paredes

Cinencuentro

Oct 6, 2025

... 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]

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Pat Padua

Washington City Paper

Apr 30, 2025

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.

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Tom B

Apr 2, 2025

Epic film. Phenomenal cinematography and story telling, especially given that it was done in 1954 -- 70+ years ago.

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Advik

Nov 7, 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.

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Rose A

Oct 15, 2024

A true classic, amazing

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Jack

Sep 22, 2024

It’s literally one of the most influential movies ever. Just go watch it.

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Dan B

Jul 31, 2024

Everything. The greatest film ever made.

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not a target market

Sep 13, 2026

A classic! Worth seeing on the big screen.

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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: 4K Restoration Trailer - 70th Anniversary

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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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