Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15188 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-03-25
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Black & White, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: Japanese
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 138 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
In one of the many classic collaborations between director Akira Kurosawa and his leading man Toshirô Mifune, this 1958 film tells the story of a warrior and a princess trying against all odds to return to their homeland with their fortune. Along the way, they are simultaneously assisted and thwarted by two itinerant and not-too-bright farmers with their own designs on the treasure, giving the story a subtle comic bent. Acknowledged by George Lucas as the inspiration for Star Wars (note the similarities, especially the comic duo who are the models for R2D2 and C3PO), Hidden Fortress combines an epic tale of struggle and honour with modern comic sensibilities, creating a masterful addition to world cinema. --Robert Lane, Amazon.com

Special Features
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Japanese
Region 2
Interview With George Lucas About Akira Kurosawa
English

Synopsis
During a civil war in 16th-century feudal Japan, two cowardly farmers (Minoru Chiaki and Kamatari Fujiwara) stumble upon Makabe (Toshiro Mifune), a fierce army general. Escaping from hostile territory, General Makabe embarks on a mission to rescue both Yukihime (Misa Uehara), the willfull princess of his ruling house, and the royal fortune. In the selfish hopes of finding the gold, the two misfits accompany the hardened soldier through dangerous mountain passes.
In addition to its status as one of Akira Kurosawa's finest films, THE HIDDEN FORTRESS is especially notable for its influence on director George Lucas's STAR WARS. Lucas admittedly borrowed much from Kurosawa's lighthearted epic; the two bickering misfits were likely the inspiration for R2-D2 and C-3PO, while Princess Leia was largely patterned after the feisty Lady Yukihime. Both Luke Skywalker and Han Solo contain elements of General Makabe, but neither character matches Mifune's disciplined ferocity.

Customer Reviews

A wonderful example of Kurosawa and Mifune, truly a delight.
Hidden Fortress is an outstanding example of Akira Kurosawa's film-making style, clear and simple. Although not as well known as the classics 'Seven Samurai' or 'Yojimbo', this film deserves to be rated among his finest. The narrative is both quick and engaging never allowing your attention to wander. This was Kurosawa's first widescreen film and he seems to revel in the new width of his canvas, without over indulging in the space. The performances are excellent with Toshiro Mifune in one of his finest roles, the two bickering slaves are wonderful. This film was in fact the inspiration for Star Wars and these two slaves are easily recognisable as the droids from George Lucas' Sci-Fi tale. I would recommend this film to any fan of Mifune's or Kurosawa's work as they are at their best in this picture. If you not aware of either of this pairing, do not allow that to put you off. Buy it, sit back and enjoy what is a delightful adventure that will hold you from beginning to end.

The Original Star Wars
Having watched many of Kurosawa's films, I was interested in Hidden Fortress, because I had heard that George Lucus borrowed its plot for the original Star Wars film.
I bought the film hastily, but have not regretted it at all.
It is a little light-hearted than his other films such as Rashomon and Seven Samurai, but this makes it all the more enjoyable, as does the fact that is hard to see where the film is going to lead you.
The 2.35:1 effect works brill on a widescreen TV, capturing Mount Fuji in all its glory.
As with many Kurosawa films, Toshiro Mifune is a central character, but its the two peasants that steal the show.
Buy it, watch it, and see for yourself what made George Lucus make Star Wars.

Best-kept secret: Japanese original of first Star Wars
From its opening battle scenes with two lucky buffoons escaping certain death, through the Princess-who-must-be-saved-at-all-costs and the strange other-reality of a tavern on the road to redemption, the entire opus of the original Stars Wars episode is here to be seen in its archaic japanese form. For those of you who think that Seven Samurai ripped off The Magnificent Seven, or Yojimbo, A Fistful of Dollars--here is proof of Jap perfidiousness. For all the rest of us--is there any memorable fantasy film from Hollywood that didn't rip off the Japanese master, Kurosawa? Now you know why Lucas and Spielberg financed Ran and Kagemusha: abject shame.