One of the greatest films of all time, Akira Kurosawas Seven Samurai has influenced the work of directors from George Lucas to Steven Spielberg, and spawned remakes, most notably John Sturges acclaimed The Magnificent Seven.
When 16th-century farmers whose village is repeatedly attacked by merciless bandits ask an elderly, masterless samurai (Takashi Shimura) for help, offering nothing but food in return, he hesitantly agrees and assembles a band of warriors to defend and train the villagers.
Boasting terrific performances (with Shimura and Toshiro Mifune as a peasant masquerading as a samurai particularly memorable), superb camerawork, and expertly mounted battle sequences, Seven Samurai is undoubtedly one of the greatest action movies ever made.
Restored in 4K by Toho and presented in High Definition
Newly recorded audio commentary by film critic Adrian Martin
Philip Kemp selected scenes commentary (1999, 20 mins): film critic and writer Philip Kemp analyses key scenes from the film. Recorded for the BFI's 1999 DVD release
Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create Seven Samurai (2002, 49 mins)
The Art of Akira Kurosawa (2013, 49 mins): Asian-cinema expert Tony Rayns discusses Kurosawa's career and influence
My Life in Cinema (1993, 116 mins): a conversation between filmmakers Akira Kurosawa and Nagisa Oshima filmed for the Directors Guild of Japan in 1993 - the two legendary directors discuss Kurosawa's life, career and legacy
Original theatrical trailer
Restoration trailer (2024)
Image gallery