Okay, lets get this straight, before we even go any further, The Seven Samurai is a simply a must have movie. If you haven’t heard of it then you’ll certainly be aware of its plot and style, sampled and borrowed heavily by movies that include straight remakes such as The Magnificent Seven, heavily pastiched version A Bugs Life and all the buddys getting together to hold off the bad boys movies made since certainly owe this classic a nod, even Steptoe and Son referenced the film with their classic episode The Seven Steptorai.

Released in 1954 and directed by the famed Akira Kurusawa, the movie, shot in stark black and white, is set in Sixteenth Century Japan where a run down farming village is being targeted by bandits, the community hits upon a plan of hiring some wandering Samurai  to protect them from the outlaws, recruiting first Kambei (Takeshi Shimura) who manages to bring on board 6 others, the 7 then proceed to train the villagers in preparation for the climactic battle with the bandits.

Full of standout performances, Toshiro Mifune as Samurai wannabe Kikuchiyo is just fantastic, his role providing the pivot between the Samurai and the fearful villagers.

Full of groundbreaking shots and imagery, slow motion death scenes and great composition sense. Kurusawa came up with a certified classic and even at 203 minutes the movie certainly doesn’t outstay its welcome.

EXTRAS: Main extra is a very nice indepth little booklet offering an essay from the movie shows David Stratton as well as the original theatrical trailer and trailers for other AV Channel/Eastern Eye product.