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The Hidden Fortress

Released Jan 23, 1962 2h 19m Comedy Adventure Drama List
96% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 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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The Hidden Fortress

The Hidden Fortress

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 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

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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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