The Hidden Fortress

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The Hidden Fortress

1962

2h 19m

Comedy

Adventure

Drama

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Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

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

06/28/2022

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.

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Dorothy Masters

New York Daily News

06/28/2022

3/4

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

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Marjory Adams

Boston Globe

06/28/2022

The photography is excellent.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Jun 30

3.5/4

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

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Howard Waldstein

CBR

06/27/2023

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.

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Austin Faricy

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

03/16/2023

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

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Virgo V

@vision Dec 10

The Hidden Fortress (Kakushi Toride no San Akunin; literally The Three Villains of the Hidden Fortress) is a 1958 Japanese epic jidaigeki adventure film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It stars Toshiro Mifune, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara, Misa Uehara and Susumu Fujita. The cinematography was done by Ichio Yamazaki. It was distributed and produced by Toho Company, Limited. Vision wrote: "the film tells the story of two peasants who help to distract a man and a woman across enemy lines in return for gold. The adventures of Tweedledum and Tweedledee. I admire the early occupation and trample. Great early tempo but the rest of the film seems to linger and stretch on too long, except the one-on-one duel. Toshiro Mifune showcases his might. Admire the festivities throughout the film. Excellent cinematography and production. Three and a half fries for the cinematography, direction and the production."

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Alysha S

Jan 13

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.)

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Micah H

11/05/2024

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

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Fer S

08/16/2024

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

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Cameron T

@CameronTAdams 03/14/2024

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

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Marco F

03/13/2024

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!

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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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