The Hidden Fortress

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The Hidden Fortress

Released Jan 23, 1962

2h 19m

Comedy

Adventure

Drama

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96%

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52 Reviews

92%

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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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

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Dorothy Masters

New York Daily News

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

Rated: 3/4

Jun 28, 2022

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Marjory Adams

Boston Globe

The photography is excellent.

Jun 28, 2022

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

... boasts all of Kurosawa's signature touches.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 30, 2025

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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

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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

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Alysha S

3.1. A couple of moments don't make sense, but the story expresses a true journey. (Also, if you are interested in "Star Wars" influences, watch "The Hidden Fortress." George Lucas had to have been influenced more than the peasants for his creation of R2-D2 and C-3PO.)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/13/25

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Micah H

Some parts are drawn out too much, but overall, the Hidden Fortress is an expertly directed adventure with thrilling fight sequences and strong characters.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

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Fer S

Great movie. Way ahead of its time. The characters are great and very well acted.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/16/24

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Cameron T

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/14/24

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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

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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

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Akira Kurosawa

Director

Toshiro Mifune

General Rokurota Makabe

Misa Uehara

Princess Yuki

Minoru Chiaki

Tahei

Kamatari Fujiwara

Matashichi

Susumu Fujita

Hyoe Tadokoro

6 Classic Movies That Clearly Inspired Star Wars

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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
Producer: Sanezumi Fujimoto, 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)

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