Akira Kurosawa?s Hidden Fortress

[glen]

Man, this is hard to follow.
Does anyone know a site with scene by scene explanations?

 

[glen]

Somebody surely has seen this film.
It is the one that inspired George Lucas to make the original Star Wars.

Trivia for
Kakushi toride no san akunin (1958)
Akira Kurosawa made this commercial and accessible film as a way to repay Toho Studios for allowing him to make riskier, more artistic fair such as Rashômon (1950). It was later one of the greatest inspirations for George Lucas' first Star Wars (1977) film.


In an interview for the Criterion collection DVD, George Lucas states that while this film is a story a story about a princess and her protectors that this is not the element inspired Star Wars. Lucas states the inspiration comes from the telling of the story through the eyes of two smaller roles. In Hidden Fortress it is the two thieves, in Star Wars it is C3PO and R2D2.

Plot Summary for
Kakushi toride no san akunin (1958)
Princess Yuki Akizuki ("Yukihime" in Japanese) is to be led through enemy territory, where she may rebuild her kingdom with gold that she has in her caravan. She is assisted by her trusted general, Rokurota Makabe, who insists that she masquarades as a mute farmer. Two minions, Tahei and Matashichi help unknowingly, as they believe they will get a piece of the gold if they help the princess attain her goals.

Summary written by Joel Kirk {joelkirk@sbcglobal.net}

Two peasant farmers are refugees, trying to return home after a war. They find gold, and join with a mysterious powerful-looking man and a mysterious beautiful girl. Together they attempt to smuggle the gold across the border and evade capture.

Summary written by Rob Brown {robbrown@tibalt.supernet.ab.ca}

During Japan's feudal wars, two cowardly farmers stumble upon an attempt by a defeated army general to get the last member of his ruling house - a wilful young princess - to safety in friendly territory.

Summary written by Bernard Keane {BKeane2@email.dot.gov.au}

 

[AnitaPeterson]

....and what a great movie this is... while no "Seven Samurai", it was really enjoyable...

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've seen it and liked it OK, but have no idea (beyod the obvious Google) where you'll find a disection of it.

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
....and what a great movie this is... while no "Seven Samurai", it was really enjoyable...

Seven Samurai was fantastic. I understood it wth no trouble, but Hidden Fortress is somehow going over my head.

 

[glen]

anyone else?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

What exactly are you confused about? Two morons try to get lost in a war, hoping they can make easy money by stealing from dead people. They meet a warrior and his companion (who turns out to be a girl) - the only survivors of a rich clan - and find gold hidden in sticks. As much as they try to get away with the gold, they have to return it to its rightful owners, but in the end come off better than at the beginning.