Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s get started!

Seven Samurai

1954

Directed by Akira Kurosawa

In 1954, Akira Kurosawa unleashed upon the world what is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made… the Japanese epic Seven Samurai. Clocking in at a hefty 3.5 hours, the movie takes you on an immersive journey to 16th century feudal Japan, where a poor village’s desperate crop farmers hire a team of vagrant samurai to fend off a ruthless gang of bandits.

The plot is deceptively simple, but Kurosawa weaves a rich tapestry of characters, themes, and stunning action set pieces. We follow the assembly of the seven ronin warriors, each distinctly realized – the born leader Kanbei, the serene master swordsman Kyuzo, the gruff but golden-hearted Kikuchiyo, and more. As they work alongside the terrified villagers to prepare defenses, barriers between social classes gradually dissolve into mutual admiration and even romance.

When the bandits finally attack, Kurosawa orchestrates battle sequences of breathtaking choreography and realism. Despite being 70 years old, the action still feels shockingly visceral, aided by Kurosawa’s innovative multi-camera technique that thrusts you into the chaotic melee. The ending packs an emotional punch as the samurai’s “victory” is marred by tragic losses on both sides.

Like the peasants harvesting their crops under threat, Seven Samurai‘s production was an ordeal of “intense labor” as Kurosawa battled the studio, weather, and more across 148 grueling shooting days. His insistence on authenticity meant constructing an entire village set and training the actors in actual sword fighting. Toshiro Mifune, originally meant for a different role, was reassigned to play the wild Kikuchiyo and given free rein to improvise.

The results were well worth the struggle. In addition to its colossal artistic influence, Seven Samurai was a commercial hit that saved Kurosawa’s career and ushered in a renaissance of quality Japanese filmmaking. It remains an electrifying piece of epic storytelling and a testament to Kurosawa’s singular, defiant vision.

What are your thoughts on this legendary film? Did any particular samurai or sequence leave a lasting impression? Let me know in the comments below!