Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)

It is not often that I view a film that really impresses me on every level and leaves me with a lasting feeling that I have somehow left the confines of my own reality, and journeyed into the world of someone else’s, my only souvenir for the experience being a sense a wonder and amazement. Infact, I can’t remember the last time this happened. This Japanese film from 1954 ticked all of the boxes like an explosion in the Dulux factory however. Shot in black and white it projects more colour and atmosphere than most of the best modern attempts.
Set in the turbulent times of 16 century Japan , the story gradually unravels the tale of a farming village who are gripped by fear. Many out of work Samurai at the time, forbidden from menial work by a code of honour, were forced into a world of pillaging as a means of survival. It is a group of such bandits that are terrorising the seemingly defenceless farmers, and as a last resort they seek to hire a group of Samurai as protection, their only means of payment being rice.
Over three hours long, this film develops a complex set of strong, highly individual and entertaining characters in a most magnificent way. Every character serves a precise function, from the altruistic ringleader, to the dedicated swordsman, to the comic fraudster and finally to the Percival-like apprentice. The interplay and class difference between the Samurai and the farmers gives a vast breadth of perspective to the film and upholds a brilliant tension up until the final moments. Shot almost entirely on location the set kick-starts the atmosphere, evolving from desperation in torrential rain, through sensitive scenes in idyllic seas of flowers to absolute violence in mud and blood.
Following a twisting path, the film ends at its logical conclusion, which where many modern films disappoint, this delivers in full brutal splendour. The action is sharp and exciting, and follows a rhythmic pace throughout.
The inspiration for some of the great Spaghetti Westerns, this film is magnificent and was surely ahead of its time. Truly epic, there is a character within this film for everyone to relate to, whether you are a martial arts practitioner, an armchair Jedi or the patient other half. It’s one of the most amazing films of any genre that I have seen and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who fancies a change from special effects, wire-fighting and plots that deliver like a dejected postman.