Good
Those film viewers who equate foreign films with pretense need to sit down for a couple of hours and watch director Akira Kurosawa's first widescreen (Tohoscope) film, the black and white The Hidden Fortress (Kakushi-Toride No San-Akunin- literally The Three Villains Of The Hidden Fortress), from 1958. While it is a very good film, it is a great movie- in the feel good sense of the term. Filmmaker George Lucas claims this film was the inspiration for his third rate Star Wars films. Yes, there are a handful of similarities, but `influence' is usually used when a great work of art is influenced by an equal or lesser work of art, not when bad art rips off greater art. In short, influence occurs in evolution, not devolution, and Lucas's claims bear the stench of a lesser artist trying to parasitically sponge off a greater artist's reputation.
The Hidden Fortress runs 139 minutes, but it never slows down nor gets boring. It is action and humor nonstop, and Kurosawa reputedly only made the film to repay Toho Studios for allowing him to make riskier, more artistic films like Ikiru and Rashomon. In many ways, even though the film stars the great Toshirô Mifune, as General Rokurota Makabe, a role that is quite reserved in comparison to his other roles in period films- or jidai-geki (from where Lucas got the term Jedi), the film's narrative and heart belong to the two peasant farmer fools, tubby Tahei (Minoru Chiaki- the good natured samurai from Seven Samurai) and tiny Matakishi (Kamatari Fujiwara- the farmer Manzo from Seven Samurai), who make a terrific comedy team- far better than their supposed Star Wars stand-ins, R2D2 and C3PO. This duo not only get the most screen time, but the tale is basically from their point of view, and the viewer roots for them, despite their greed and stupidity constantly endangering them; whereas the more conventional tale of the Princess and her General is backgrounded and rather rote.... Fortunately, the occasional anachronism is about the only thing wrong with the tale, for The Hidden Fortress is a great adventure movie, as well as very funny. That said, I can state with the utmost seriousness that I know Akira Kurosawa. Akira Kurosawa is a friend of mine. And you, Mr. Lucas, are no Akira Kurosawa. Now, if only Tahei and Matakishi were around to beat him, as he so richly deserves.

4 ½ + Stars: Akira Kurosawa's Next JIDAI GEKI Masterpiece...
The HIDDEN FORTRESS (1958, aka. Kakushi toride no san akunin) is Akira Kurosawa's first widescreen-shot film and the famed director uses it as if he has been a master of it for many years. In a period where warring clans in Japan, the film is all about loyalty, honor, greed and betrayal but the film is also the most well-spirited, fun-loving samurai adventure that Kurosawa had directed after "Ran" and "Throne of Blood". Think the "Treasure of Sierra Madre" collides with George Lucas' "Star Wars"--without the Wookies, aliens, droids and spaceships.

Two bickering peasants named Tahei (Minoru Chiaki) and Matshichi (Katamari Fujiwara), who gets caught up with provincial warfare between the Akizuki and Yamana clans. After escaping the clutches of the Yamana forces, the duo crosses paths with a stranger who calls himself Rokurota Makabe (Toshiro Mifune), a general of the Akizuki clan in hiding. The Akizuki province is currently being occupied by the Yamana clan and whose Princess Yuki (Misa Uehara) is the last surviving royalty of the defeated side. Makabe intends to sneak by enemy lines and flee to the neighboring Hayakawa province along with 200 pieces of gold. But to do so, he must convince the punchy pair that the "plucky" princess is his mute girlfriend.

Yes, this is the film that inspired "Star Wars" and George Lucas even repaid the inspiration that he had gotten from Kurosawa by investing in his 1980 film "KAGEMUSHA" (which I will review much later). Those who are expecting highly visible references to the sci-fi blockbuster may be a bit disappointed though. While there is a princess and the antics of the two peasants are quite comparable to R2-D2 and C3-PO; in this film, the tough princess remained so and the story somewhat revolves mostly around two underlings; Tahei and Matshichi. Yes, Toshiro Mifune has a lead role in the film but only as a major supporting character. But not to worry, the film is a terrific actioner and it is well directed. What else can you expect from Kurosawa?

The role of Princess Yuki was a nightmare to begin with. Kurosawa had gone through 200 actresses and he could not find the right girl. (Hence, the 200 pieces of gold was inspired) It was not until he caught sight of newcomer Misa Uehara that Kurosawa had found the perfect girl to play the princess raised as a boy. Kurosawa is such a perfectionist, it would take him several months, maybe even a year to begin a project. The director had also insisted Mifune to grow a real beard for many months even though it itched like crazy (in "Red Beard"), this incident was believed to have ended the Mifune-Kurosawa collaborations. Their relationship had already become strained when Kurosawa questioned Mifune's acceptance of less than credible roles but the actor had to make a living and cannot wait for Kurosawa`s projects on several occasions.

The film is essentially a chase film and the bickering of Tahei and Matshichi (sometimes listed as Matakishi) gives the film a lot of depth. Their lust for riches and women are very entertaining all through the film's proceedings. The two would fight among themselves to gain advantage over the other but they would also be plotting with each other to gain advantage over others. The pathetic fools even considered the possibility of raping the princess. The two are pitiable lowlifes and they do give an unlikable impression to the audience but they are also necessary to represent the blacks and the whites and the shades of gray. Rokurota Makabe is a general and a superb warrior. Mifune's character is cunning, smart and determined to protect the princess at all costs that he manipulates the two lowlifes into helping them by using gold hidden in firewood as their motivation.

One thing with Toshiro Mifune, the man definitely has a strong presence onscreen. There is just something about him that is magnetic, commanding and energetic that would catch any audience's attention. The man is a marvelous actor and with Kurosawa at the helm, the actor definitely bears his soul for his character. Toho productions were so worried about Kurosawa Akira leaving their company after this film, that they agreed to help him form his own production company, and in turn take on some expenses of his projects. This is his first widescreen film but Kurosawa utilizes the wide frame to near perfection. The director manipulates the frame like a master whether the shots are mountain ranges or open vistas or fight sequences.

The film also has quite a lot of action. Highlights include a swordfight on horseback, and the film's main draw is the duel with spears between Makabe and Hyoe Tadokoro (played by Susumu Fujita). The fight is well choreographed and stays within the realm of realism. The fight is long and intense, and Tadokoro definitely shows that he is Makabe's equal in the use of a spear. I was also really impressed that for a movie at this time would be able to shoot a real good swordfight on horseback. Kurosawa definitely knows how to work his cameras.

"The Hidden Fortress" is a true classic by Akira Kurosawa. There is just so much going on with this film; a cunning general, a beautiful princess, pathetic peasants that all complement its elements of intrigue, betrayal, honor and loyalty. The film is a drag-out action film that displays not only Kurosawa's genius but also his ability to exude charm and magnetism through his style. This film is Kurosawa's next box-office success after "Seven Samurai" and after this he once again hits gold with "Yojimbo". The film is also a critical success garnering numerous film awards.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [4 ½ Stars]

They Can't All Be Seven Samurai
Though it is a step below Kurosawa's bonafide masterpieces, The Hidden Fortress is a clever and exciting comedy-adventure film and solidly entertaining in its own right. Toshiro Mifune is in top form and he is ably helped by Misa Uehara as a princess & Minoru Chiaki & Kamatari Fujiwara as the bumbling, greedy, cowardly peasants who unwittingly help restore a princess to her throne.

Kurosawa keeps the tone light by keeping the action and eye-candy plentiful and not concerning himself with character development or the insights into human nature and the trials of life indicative of his best work. The plot is a little inane and the pace a little frantic at times to be very thoughtful. More of a fun romp than a searing drama.

Kurosawa tells a good story but overstays the movie's welcome at nearly two hours and twenty minutes. I don't think much would have been lost by bringing the movie in under two hours. The cinematography in Kurosawa's movies are routinely excellent and The Hidden Fortress is no exception.

If it weren't for the fact that it heavily influenced George Lucas in crafting a galaxy far, far away, I think The Hidden Fortress would be rarely watched and regarded as one of many very good but not great movies on Kurosawa's resume.

The Hidden Fortress - Criterion Collection by Toshirô Mifune, Misa Uehara
"The Hidden Fortress" is interesting primarily because it gave George Lucas ideas for "Star Wars". which is why I got it, the influence is obvious. An interesting combat scenes with Toshirô Mifune (mounted & dismounted w/spear).

Although Not Quite Among Kurosawa's Masterpieces, An Extremely Fine Film Nonetheless
According to film lore, director Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998) wished to make a distinctly commercial film for Toho Studios in order to thank the company for backing his earlier, riskier fare. Considering that the fare in question, however, had generated at least major international hits, it would seem the studio had been already been thanked and then some. No, I suspect that this story was put forth by Kurosawa fans who wanted to find a tangible reason for the fact that THE HIDDEN FORTRESS was not quite in the same league as such films RASHOMON, SEVEN SAMURAI, and THRONE OF BLOOD. If so, they needn't have bothered. It is true that THE HIDDEN FORTRESS lacks the same intense focus and the same visual power as Kurosawa's masterworks, but it is no less a fine film for that, and it should be judged on its own merits.

The story begins with two foolish peasants Tahei (Minoru Chiaki) and Matashichi (Kamatari Fujiwara) who squandered their savings to go to war--only to find themselves beset by both armies. Having at last escaped, they discover a piece of gold belonging to the defeated army, begin to search for more, and fall into the hands of General Rokurota Makabe (Toshiro Mifune), who seeks to get both the gold and the only surviving ruler of his clan, Princess Yuki (Misa Uehara), out enemy territory. Makabe decides he can make use of the peasants--and quite soon the party is underway, the gold cleverly concealed, the peasants really more hinderance than help, and the Princess every bit as strong willed as her general.

As you might expect from Kurosawa, THE HIDDEN FORTRESS is a highly visual film, and indeed it contains sequences every bit as exciting as the best of his best. The opening shots, which track the peasants across what seems to be a completely empty landscape that is suddenly disrupted by sudden death; the rebellion of the prisoners in the camp; the moments in which Princess Yuki explores a brothel; the fire dance--all offer Kurosawa's meticulous eye at its most penetrating. The performances are excellent and the whole thing is extremely entertaining.

Most critical complaints about the film center on Chiaki and Fujiwara's performances as the peasants, and it is quite true that--to Western eyes at least--they seem excessive, almost as if two of the Three Stooges had been suddenly dropped into a Eugene O'Neill drama. Ideas about comedy vary considerably from culture to culture, and this may be an instance in which we should chalk up the experience to evidence of that; even so, and although I found them occasionally wearing, they frequently manage to transcend the cultural barrier to become laugh-out-loud funny.

The Criterion DVD release is quite fine in terms of sound and picture and offers extremely legible subtitles. The only "bonus feature" is an eight minute interview with George Lucas, who briefly discusses the influence of Kurosawa in general and THE HIDDEN FORTRESS in particular on his film STAR WARS. The best I can say for the clip is that it has obviously been quite some time since Lucas saw THE HIDDEN FORTRESS; he seems oblivious to many of the parallels. That said, quite frankly I find the comparison somewhat overblown. THE HIDDEN FORTRESS does well enough on its own.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer