The Hidden Fortress

Released Jan 23, 1962

2h 19m

Comedy

Adventure

Drama

List

96%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

92%

Audience Score

10,000+ Ratings

Japanese peasants Matashichi (Kamatari Fujiwara) and Tahei (Minoru Chiaki) try and fail to make a profit from a tribal war. They find a man and woman whom they believe are simple tribe members hiding in a fortress. Although the peasants don't know that Rokurota (Toshirô Mifune) is a general and Yuki (Misa Uehara) is a princess, the peasants agree to accompany the pair to safety in return for gold. Along the way, the general must prove his expertise in battle while also hiding his identity.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Max

Watch The Hidden Fortress with a subscription on Max, rent on Prime Video, or buy on Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

A feudal adventure told from an eccentric perspective, The Hidden Fortress is among Akira Kurosawa's most purely enjoyable epics.

Read Critics Reviews

Harold Myers

Variety

One of the best recent examples of Japanese film-making, this festival entry is distinguished by high grade direction. It also abounds in action, and is handsomely acted and produced.

Jun 28, 2022

Full Review

Dorothy Masters

New York Daily News

Suspense and tension are maintained by able performances, skilled direction, shrewd photography.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 28, 2022

Full Review

Marjory Adams

Boston Globe

The photography is excellent.

Jun 28, 2022

Full Review

Howard Waldstein

CBR

Hidden Fortress marks Kurosawa's first foray into the realm of widescreen, and the film – though constrained in a lot of ways (focusing on four characters) – feels big.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Austin Faricy

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Akira Kurosawa, director of Rashomon, has an eye for epic sweep and somber mood, but neither is quite suitable here.

Mar 16, 2023

Full Review

Fred Taomae

Shin Nichibei/New Japanese American News

[The Hidden Fortress] is overlong and drawn out in the beginning but once it gets moving, is filled with interest, suspense, action and comedy. I enjoyed it immensely.

Jun 28, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Cameron T

A sublime example of a breezy, good-natured, humorous adventure.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/14/24

Full Review

Marco F

This is my favourite Kurosawa film! It is such a blast to watch. The characters are lovely, and the story is compelling. It is an adventure, comedy samurai flick which everybody should watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/24

Full Review

Alec B

It's entertaining from start to finish but what pushes the film into the level of greatness is that the film's two central characters are greedy cowards who Kurosawa somehow manages to get the audience to completely empathize with.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

Matthew C

WOW. Flies by but has so much going on. Epic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/19/23

Full Review

Donald J

The Hidden Fortress is the definition of a masterpiece any way you slice it. The cinematography, acting, directing, set pieces, screenplay, etc. are all exquisitely done. This is one Akira Kurosawa's best works. This film is essential viewing for all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

Matteo P

In questo film traspare cristallina ed indefessa la dignità dell'umano. Altro capolavoro di Kurosawa

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Akira Kurosawa

Director

Toshiro Mifune

General Rokurota Makabe

Misa Uehara

Princess Yuki

Minoru Chiaki

Tahei

Kamatari Fujiwara

Matashichi

Susumu Fujita

Hyoe Tadokoro

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

95%

94%

Some Like It Hot

82%

68%

Designing Woman

81%

81%

Operation Petticoat

86%

71%

Teacher's Pet

63%

82%

Rock-a-Bye Baby

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

6 Classic Movies That Clearly Inspired Star Wars

View more photos

Synopsis

Japanese peasants Matashichi (Kamatari Fujiwara) and Tahei (Minoru Chiaki) try and fail to make a profit from a tribal war. They find a man and woman whom they believe are simple tribe members hiding in a fortress. Although the peasants don't know that Rokurota (Toshirô Mifune) is a general and Yuki (Misa Uehara) is a princess, the peasants agree to accompany the pair to safety in return for gold. Along the way, the general must prove his expertise in battle while also hiding his identity.

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Screenwriter: Shinobu Hashimoto, Ryûzô Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni
Production Co: Toho Company Ltd.
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Drama
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 1962, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2017
Runtime: 2h 19m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now