 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Seven Samurai
- Review Date: October 30, 2005
- NR
- Genre: Drama
- 1956
Common Sense Media says
Famous epic with stylish violence and subtitles.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the film features seven samurai who help a farming village defend itself against a gang of bandits. There are multiple skirmishes, and the villagers, samurai, and bandits suffer casualties. The violence is not particularly bloody but it's accentuated through fluid camera movements and slow motion cinematography. The samurai and villagers are shown to have character flaws, but ultimately, they all stand together in the face of the ruthless bandits - who are not really developed beyond their thieving impulses. Strong language is used -- in subtitles -- but sparingly so. The presence of subtitles may be a hindrance to some younger viewers.
What's the story?
In what many consider to be his masterpiece, director Akira Kurosawa presents a tale of displaced samurai that put aside class differences in order to defend a farming village that has been the unfortunate target of a wily gang of bandits. The film's three and a half hour length is more than justified by the intricate character development of both the samurai and the villagers, as both groups let go of class biases to accomplish their mutual goal of fortifying the village. By the climactic showdowns against the bandits, a palpable anxiety is present due to the great affinity the audience feels for the characters. Worthy of special note is Toshiro Mifune's performance as the intense samurai Kikuchiyo who has a past that he is trying to hide.
Is it any good?
The action sequences are fantastic and, for their time, very innovative. Sweeping camera movements and slow motion are used quite effectively to pull the viewer into the thick of the battles. Of course, the techniques have now become old hat for action films, but Kurosawa got it so right that even now the action seem especially kinetic and involving.
This classic of the samurai film genre will appeal to teens and older who love action. Young viewers may find the human deaths disturbing, as many of the most sympathetic characters meet their demise while protecting the village. For those who can deal with the emotion of loss, this film offers substantial rewards.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the rigid class system in place during the time period of the film. Why is there such a separation between the samurai and the villagers? What makes it easier for the samurai and villagers to overcome the social barriers to band together? How might the film have been different if more insight had been supplied for the bandits' motivations?
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AGE
Perfect Movie For 8 and Up
A great film from one of the greatest filmmakers who ever lived. Forget the crap about this movie not being "appropriate" for anybody under the age of thirteen because if you have a kid below that age who likes subtitles and and action adventure movies they are going to love this. The movie is very understated in it's content, even it's violence is subdued, So there shouldn't be a problem for anybody under the age 13 seeing the drinking or the violence because 1) it was part of the culture the movie depicts and 2) the movie's not telling children to go out and drink or do violent things. Children would be seeing much worse if you let watch either Transformers movie.
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AGE
One of the best films ever made. But not always great for younger kids.
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A+ movie
A pinnacle of Japanese cinema, Seven Samurai saw the birth of the historical epic genre, and is an amazing movie in it's own right.
Kids may have issue sitting through this 3 and a half hour black and white, subtitled movie. But those who invest their time will come away with quite an experience.
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AGE
Awesome
One of the best movies ever, but most younger people might not be able to understand the story. Violent but not bloody, and it can be educational in terms of reading, since an English dub was out of the question (Thank God, I love subtitles. The original voices are always the best). There is swearing and drinking, but most young kids probably don't even know what Sake is. It's fermented rice wine and very strong, but don't tell them that. By the way, Sake is pronounced as Sah-Kay not Sah-Key. Saki is another, seperate word for Sake but the not the same, and it has other meanings.
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AGE
Akira Kurisowa's masterpiece is a must-see.
Everyone should see this one, it's one of my personal favorites. Parents, as long as your kid is mature enough to watch a foreign movie for 3 1/2 hours, he/she's mature enough to see this movie with only some mild violence and subtitled swears.
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| Studio: | Criterion Collection |
| Director: | Akira Kurosawa |
| Cast: | Takashi Shimura, Toshiro Mifune, Yoshio Inaba |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 203 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 19, 1956 |
| DVD release date: | April 21, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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