Toshiro Mifune

Looking at renowned director Kobayashi’s output in the early to late 1960s, one is struck by his string of films from 1962 to 1967, which begins with Harakiri, continues with Kwaidan and concludes with Samurai Rebellion. With those three films Kobayashi places himself in some illustrious company with the likes of Hitchcock and Spielberg, filmmakers that also delivered multiple movies in rapid succession, each met with near universal acclaim.

Some of the best things in life come in pairs, and film is no different. No, I don’t mean sequels and/or remakes, because I think we all know how those often turn out. Instead, I mean those actors and directors who very frequently collaborate on films, so much so that it feels odd when the …

A director of Kurasawa’s skill was probably best served by exploring different stories and themes throughout his career. As such, it seems perfectly understandable that he never went back to the Sanjuro well. Thinking back to the towering films he went on to direct, who would argue that he really should have produced another entry? Even so, one can be forgiven for asking ‘what if?’

Akira Kurosawa is known one of Japan’s great cinematic exports, if not the very greatest. Dabbling in drama, historical epics influenced by the works of William Shakespeare and entertaining romps replete with unforgettable characters and splendid adventure, his career spanned six decades and earned him the sort of reputation most directors will only ever savor in their dreams.

Everything about “The Hidden Fortress” clicks and falls into place: Kurosawa’s mastery of the widescreen, the amusing characters, the action, the set design, the riveting yet lighthearted plot … This is the sort of movie a natural born filmmaker can make and make look so easy, so instinctive.

A lone warrior comes across a town held hostage by two competing gang leaders. He meets the keeper of a local inn who explains the situation and warns him to leave as soon as he can. Our rogue, a man with no name, decides instead to play the two sides against each other and make …