After dealing with some rather heavy material in Seven Samuari, Donsoko, and Throne of Blood, Akira Kurosawa decided to give a little light-hearted entertainment in this pure fun tale of a general and princess trying to smuggle gold out of enemy territory while having the aid of two bumbling and greedy peasants.
Here, unlike nearly any film made at the time, the story is told through these lowly characters' eyes. From the opening sequence, we are introduced to these two peasants who seem more like brothers than friends as they love to fight as well as look out for one another. Portrayed by Minoru Chiaki and Kamatari Fujiwara, they provide plenty comic relief as well as the vessel through which we witness this story. The veteran general is played by the great Toshiro Mifune and does his usual outstanding job of exemplifying power and authority.
Like any Kurosawa picture, the camera work and editing are absolutely top-notch. Using these two elements to increase the experience, Kurosawa creates a breathtaking story about honor, loyalty, and courage to do something dangerous as well as getting along with the people closest to you. Certainly one of his best, for all Kurosawa fans Hidden Fortress is not to be missed.
Here, unlike nearly any film made at the time, the story is told through these lowly characters' eyes. From the opening sequence, we are introduced to these two peasants who seem more like brothers than friends as they love to fight as well as look out for one another. Portrayed by Minoru Chiaki and Kamatari Fujiwara, they provide plenty comic relief as well as the vessel through which we witness this story. The veteran general is played by the great Toshiro Mifune and does his usual outstanding job of exemplifying power and authority.
Like any Kurosawa picture, the camera work and editing are absolutely top-notch. Using these two elements to increase the experience, Kurosawa creates a breathtaking story about honor, loyalty, and courage to do something dangerous as well as getting along with the people closest to you. Certainly one of his best, for all Kurosawa fans Hidden Fortress is not to be missed.