Monday, February 17, 2025

Classic Film: Seven Samurai (1954)

Why is Seven Samurai so good?

Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai follows a group of masterless samurai who defend a village from bandits. This influential epic shaped the modern action film and introduced key tropes of the hero’s journey, teamwork, and sacrifice.

Why is Seven Samurai a Classic?

This film pioneered action choreography, dynamic cinematography, and multi-character storytelling. Its influence can be seen in everything from The Magnificent Seven to modern superhero films. Kurosawa’s use of movement, weather, and slow-motion combat revolutionized action cinema.

Discussion Questions

  1. Film Technique: How does Kurosawa use weather and movement to heighten the intensity of battle sequences?
  2. Genre/Cultural Context: The samurai genre is deeply tied to Japanese history and honor codes. How does Seven Samurai reflect the values of its time?
  3. Classic Status: Seven Samurai has inspired countless films. What modern movie do you think borrows elements from it, and how?
  4. Personal Response: Did you enjoy Seven Samurai? Why/Why not?

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