Amazon Prime viewers will feel lucky when they realise this classic action film, which has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is streaming on the platform. Seven Samurai, released in 1954, is an epic Japanese samurai action film directed by Akira Kurosawa and taken from a screenplay co-written with Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni. The film is set in 1586 in the Sengoku period of Japanese history.
With a running time of 207 minutes, the epic features Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima and Isao Kimura. The film’s synopsis reads: “A samurai answers a village’s request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food. A giant battle occurs when 40 bandits attack the village.”
Seven Samurai has reached 100% on Rotten Tomatoes’ critics Tomatometer, which is no easy feat. The critics’ consensus reads: “Arguably Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece, The Seven Samurai is an epic adventure classic with an engrossing story, memorable characters, and stunning action sequences that make it one of the most influential films ever made.”
One critic gave the film a glowing review, he said: “Kurosawa’s epic adventure masterpiece is one of the best films ever made.”
Another critic said: “Seven Samurai” remains a timeless masterpiece. Kurosawa’s editing prowess, evident in the climactic sequence, cemented the film’s status as a timeless classic, echoing the eternal struggle for justice and sacrifice in feudal Japan.”
“Responding to his sensitive, knowing direction, the actors have given inspired performances. Revealed in [Seven Samurai] is Kurosawa’s talent for putting violent action on the screen, making it terrifically exciting to audiences,” said a third.
Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian gave the film five out of five stars and said: “The glorious vigour and strength of this film is presented with such theatrical relish and flair: its energy flashes out of the screen like a sword.”
Seven Samurai is available to stream on Amazon Prime and the BFI’s streaming platform.