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The Hidden Fortress

The Hidden Fortress

1958
Action, Adventure
2h 6m
Lured by gold, two greedy peasants escort a man and woman across enemy lines. However, they do not realize that their companions are actually a princess and her general. (imdb)

Directed by:

Akira Kurosawa

Screenwriter:

Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni, Ryûzô Kikushima

Starring:

Takashi Shimura, Toshirô Mifune, Minoru Chiaki, Takeshi Katô, Susumu Fujita, Eiko Miyoshi, Kamatari Fujiwara, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Yû Fujiki, Kokuten Kôdô, Toshiko Higuchi, Misa Uehara

Genres:

Action, Adventure

AKA:

Kakushi-toride no san-akunin

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese
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The Hidden Fortress

1958
Action, Adventure
2h 6m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 70.6% from 1602 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 12 May 2010
8
82nd
Takes awhile to get going, but once Mifune is introduced the film gets some new life and it becomes much more interesting. The 2 peasants got on my nerves sometimes but they never took me out of the film. The scene where Mifune fights the 2 guys on the horse was amazing.
Rated 12 May 2010
robrob
Rated 31 Jul 2007
15
83rd
One of the best adventure films ever made, it has it all: atmosphere, action and comedy. Mifune is characteristically brilliant as the taciturn General Makabe and the two peasants are bumbling, incompetent and endearing. Perhaps not as deep as your typical Kurosawa fare, but it's also far more accessible: taken for what it is, it deserves its place next to Kurosawa's greatest works.
Rated 31 Jul 2007
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 13 Dec 2009
80
81st
A bit too whimsical at times, and having two comic relief characters dominate most of the running time gets tiring, but Mifune is wonderful and the plot is interesting enough. I guess I was expecting something more epic.
Rated 13 Dec 2009
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 28 Feb 2008
4
74th
A rip-roaring high adventure, typical but top-form Kurosawa, written and played with an amusing sense of humor. Apart from the comedy, what strikes me is how vertiginous it is. The harsh mountain topography and steep landscapes are framed at extreme angles, and every shot seems designed top-to-bottom. It's a simple and consistent metaphor for the uphill battles these characters must endure, and it imbues the film with impressive scope and earthy texture.
Rated 28 Feb 2008
doctor7doctor7
Rated 20 Jan 2007
85
83rd
While some parts are very, very entertaining the movie does feel like drags a lot, especially in the beginning. Still it's a great movie and you can see obvious inspirations for Star Wars from it.
Rated 20 Jan 2007
coheedCoheed
Rated 14 Jan 2012
100
97th
A combination of adventure yarn, comedy, period drama and, with its two peasant characters who start and end the film, a character piece looking at the good and bad in human beings. Its humanist genre cinema stunningly made and with a great cast. One of Kurosawa's less talked about films, though there are even lesser know works, but it still outshines other films of its type.
Rated 14 Jan 2012
caimancaiman
Rated 21 Jul 2009
86
82nd
This is my least favorite Kurosawa movie, but that's like saying missionary is my least favorite sex position. It's Kurosawa, so it's great stuff. I enjoyed picking out all the Star Wars influences. The characters are all entertaining and the direction is top notch. The story just isn't as solid as some of his best films.
Rated 21 Jul 2009
farzanFarzan
Rated 27 Mar 2009
93
94th
Wow, I haven't seen a Kurosawa movie for a long time, and seeing this made me more into his work. I love his period, samurai films so much. This one may not be as epic as Seven Samurai or Ran, but it is just as colorful. The characters, especially the two peasants, were so well constructed. The Hidden Fortress has great drama, and believe it or not, comedy. I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
Rated 27 Mar 2009
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 21 Feb 2009
9
90th
A refreshing escapist picture à la 'North by Northwest' from Kurosawa that should please many of you. Mifune's presence is so enticing it becomes scary after so many films, the man's just too good for words. 'The Hidden Fortress' is just great fun.
Rated 21 Feb 2009
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
7
84th
An extremely rare and little known trivia fact: George Lucas drew inspiration for Star Wars from this movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
magbMagb
Rated 04 Feb 2007
75
50th
Not among my favorite Kurosawas. Of course it's got many things going for it, such as a cool plot, wonderful entertainment value and Toshiro Mifune. But I thought it was too long, the two peasants got on my nerves sometimes as did the princess, and... I don't know. It just didn't quite work for me, I guess. But as the score should tell you, I do consider it to be a good movie. Just not exactly for me.
Rated 04 Feb 2007
le_mamile mami
Rated 23 Jun 2024
75
74th
Even an average Kurosawa film can be enough to remind me how fucking beautiful cinema is. Two funnily greedy peasent, a mysterious hero, and a brilliant princess. It has enough adventure, enough comedy, and enough action. A film that never loses its pace, knows how to keep going in an interesting way and can tell something about larger issues through its characters’ simple stories. I liked this simplicity a lot.
Rated 23 Jun 2024
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 01 Jul 2023
75
66th
The dopey comic relief duo trying to rape a 16-year-old girl really puts a damper on the fun factor and makes their happy ending feel kind of gross. It's crazy how many Japanese movies I've seen that are all otherwise great but that have the same exact pitfall. Anyway, the overall film is a classic for good reason.
Rated 01 Jul 2023
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 04 Apr 2020
4
70th
Kurosawa has a gift for shaggy-dog epics, low stakes wrapped up in high settings. History happens in the backgrounds of his films, while he rolls around in the muck, where it's much more enjoyable. Here, embracing widescreen for the first time, he revels in the scope and texture of his barren, unforgiving landscapes - a threat to match anything else our heroes face. Mifune, armed with an unwavering scowl, has rarely been better or more intense.
Rated 04 Apr 2020
picklemanPickle_Man
Rated 22 Oct 2019
80
55th
Visually arresting and definitely fun as an action flick but lacking the strong characters and thematic depth of better Kurosawa films. Of all the strange talents to have, Kurosawa is consistently fantastic at filming horses.
Rated 22 Oct 2019
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 26 Dec 2015
5
42nd
Half comedy, half adventure, frequently silly. Makes some amusing observations about greed, but it's mostly caught up in being fun in a classic "movies are great entertainment!" kind of way. There's nothing wrong with this approach, but in this case I sometimes got bored. It's pleasing to look at, but it's also a bit long and full of dead areas. Still, Toshiro Mifune is great, the story is likable, and Misa Uehara's stone cold stares are hilarious.
Rated 26 Dec 2015
thehynesthehynes
Rated 28 Nov 2014
56
48th
An angry hardcase in hotpants goes on a walking holiday with an irritating and screechy, yet a bit saucy, woman who happens to have wacky eyebrows. Along for the ride are two duplicitous imbeciles who the hardcase repeatedly misplaces his trust in. They make a couple of friends along the way. They all live happily ever after and they even make the imbeciles rich despite the fact they'd planned on raping the woman,handing her in to be executed and also robbing them on numerous occasions.
Rated 28 Nov 2014
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 05 Jun 2014
80
69th
I loved the first half, but the constant plot contrivances ("We lucked out!" should not be said more than once in a single movie) and the at-first-funny-but-after-a-while-incredibly-irritating stupidity and greed of C3PO and R2D2 started to get on my nerves in the second. Of course, it's Kurosawa, so it's relentlessly entertaining and visually without parallel, with a badass performance from Mifune. But its imperfections can be pretty grating.
Rated 05 Jun 2014
ratedarghratedargh
Rated 20 Oct 2013
60
30th
The pacing is off, and it meanders a bit too much. It's much more loosey goosey than most other Kurosawa films. His usual ability to balance everything smoothly, even within a chaotic story, is off kilter and the story suffers. It needs to be tightened.
Rated 20 Oct 2013
terrymacterrymac
Rated 04 Jul 2013
84
92nd
Most enjoyable. The two peasants are finely realised characters, although their unrelenting greed and stupity occasionally grates. There are some excellent action scenes, and overall the direction is of a very high standard. I have no idea what was going on with the weird princess' voice - she should have remained mute. Toshiro Mifune is ridiculously watchable in everything I have seen him in - he has an incredible screen presence, and his glowering, hard-as-nails general here is no exception.
Rated 04 Jul 2013
actionbergActionberg
Rated 03 May 2012
85
84th
The wide angles in this film encompass such an astounding variety of textures in each shot I can't even believe it. They're complex enough that it's essentially like I know exactly how it feels to walk through that forest. And in the midst of this stunningly beautiful photography, there's this simple, fun adventure that's humorous and thrilling. The spear duel in the middle of the film should be in textbooks for how to shoot an effective action scene.
Rated 03 May 2012
valenzettiValenzetti
Rated 12 Oct 2010
84
68th
Slows down a bit in places, but as a whole, it carries through masterfully. Gripping action, some great jokes: this is how you make an adventure film.
Rated 12 Oct 2010
frederFreder
Rated 13 May 2008
82
74th
The only thing typical about any Kurasawa is the quality level. Much fun & spectacle.
Rated 13 May 2008
monstergearMonsterGear
Rated 06 Sep 2007
77
47th
I admittedly rented it for the "OMG STAR WARS COPIED IT" factor but they're really not all that terribly similar, and if I hadn't known about the connection beforehand I might never have made it at all. Seems a bit uneven but has an exceptional ending.
Rated 06 Sep 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
77th
A ripping good adventure. A bit slow at the start, but once Mifune shows up it starts cooking, moving from one exciting or clever sequence to another with ease. The dramatic elements are somewhat threadbare, but Kurosawa does straight action/adventure so well that it doesn't matter. Misa Uehara damn near steals the film with her nearly silent performance. My main complaint is that Tahei and Matakishi are sometimes so stupid or despicable that it becomes difficult to be amused by their antics.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 02 May 2007
80
68th
Kurosawa's samurai films start to look the same after a while, but this is one of his better ones
Rated 02 May 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 05 Mar 2007
65
73rd
Great film.
Rated 05 Mar 2007
timon88Timon88
Rated 28 Sep 2024
79
81st
I had not expected the spirit of the 3 Stooges to pervade a medieval adventure tale so thoroughly... Not quite my thing, but undeniably a classic. In no other Kurosawa movie does Toshiro Mifune command the screen so completely--what a fantastic presence.
Rated 28 Sep 2024
pasadenavicPasadenaVic
Rated 26 Nov 2023
93
74th
A dance number? Odd but still good.
Rated 26 Nov 2023
bownBown
Rated 16 Feb 2023
87
84th
A little slow to get going and the bumbling sidekicks occasionally get tiresome but otherwise this is in so many ways the ideal of a rip-roaring adventure, super funny and exciting. Mifune is fantastic - the more I see of him the more I’m impressed by how he manages to make each of his characters feel so different despite their many similarities - and Kurosawa really went and nailed widescreen filmmaking on his first try.
Rated 16 Feb 2023
nargNarg
Rated 12 Aug 2022
65
62nd
Watching those two dorks repeatedly mess everything up and then Mifune fixing it was fun, the big duel was sick, but the princess character wasn't super interesting and the film doesn't have nearly as much to chew on in its ideas as other Kurosawa's.
Rated 12 Aug 2022
ston3freen7Ston3_FreeN7
Rated 16 Nov 2021
90
87th
Fantastic film. Mifune is great and I love how the story is mostly told through the eyes of the two peasants. I love the contrast of the selfish and greedy peasants with the noble princess Yuki and Rokuruta who are portrayed as very noble and loyal. The spear fight scene was great and of course it's cool to see a film that was a huge influence on the first Star Wars.
Rated 16 Nov 2021
kasperlKasperL
Rated 17 Oct 2020
70
65th
I grew a bit weary of R2D2 and C3PO in the long run, but Misa Uehara steals every scene she's in.
Rated 17 Oct 2020
darrenDarren
Rated 01 Jul 2020
78
71st
This is genre filmmaking people!
Rated 01 Jul 2020
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 15 Mar 2019
91
84th
90.50
Rated 15 Mar 2019
jpotiijpotII
Rated 12 Nov 2018
55
43rd
Virgem
Rated 12 Nov 2018
easydiffeasydiff
Rated 08 Sep 2018
78
85th
It's good, but I like the '77 remake by Lucas better.
Rated 08 Sep 2018
nobambanobamba
Rated 23 Jun 2018
60
62nd
I was expecting more. Instead I got a lot of lulling moments. Good to see Mifune be a one man ass kicking machine again. Nice ending. I could have done with fewer comic relief peasant duo scenes or some development/redemption on their end. Watched it for the Star Wars comparisons and I don't really see it.
Rated 23 Jun 2018
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 05 Jun 2018
94
82nd
A-
Rated 05 Jun 2018
monisitMonisit
Rated 06 May 2018
75
55th
Even lesser Kurosawa is still Kurosawa. The main characters weren't very interesting, especially the two peasants. And as usual, humor in Kurosawa films doesn't really translate well. But still, it's an exciting action adventure film.
Rated 06 May 2018
sourheartsourheart
Rated 29 Mar 2018
2
10th
Slightly long. Minor characters good, but can definitely see how in George Lucas's hands they became insufferable.
Rated 29 Mar 2018
jacoiiiJacoIII
Rated 04 Mar 2018
43
73rd
Way funnier than I was expecting and the locations are breathtaking. But, in the end, you're watching because it's Kurosawa and what can I say about Kurosawa that hasn't been said before? He's a genius.
Rated 04 Mar 2018
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 23 Jul 2017
81
86th
Mifune is of course awesome and always such a magnetic presence on screen. Uehara is great too, constantly posturing and posing and not at any point outdone by Mifune. The endless whimsy and foolish greed of the two peasants (who are still superb) is a little wearing at times and means that along with the simple story this feels a little weightless compared to Kurosawa at his best. It may not punch weight with Kurosawa's very best, but is full of great set pieces and is a load of fun.
Rated 23 Jul 2017
tuerdatuerda
Rated 29 Jun 2016
87
84th
This movie has like 1 or 2 minor flaws, which by Kurosawa standards makes it a total piece of garbage. By ordinary movie standards, however, it is still great.
Rated 29 Jun 2016
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 18 Apr 2016
82
91st
Very fun adventure movie with some absolutely fantastic action sequences. Mifune can do no wrong, the guy is just a treasure.
Rated 18 Apr 2016
didigodotdidigodot
Rated 24 Dec 2015
80
4th
classist
Rated 24 Dec 2015
ofterdingenOfterdingen
Rated 14 Dec 2015
70
76th
May the episodic narrative be with you. Always.
Rated 14 Dec 2015
dardandardan
Rated 25 Nov 2015
83
88th
The film should have ended with the princess singing, rather than the hokey crap of the peasants. It was especially these peasants that severely lacked dimension, with their antics becoming annoyingly repetitive. The plot and themes went all over the place and despite touching on some interesting and beautiful moments it would have been better if these were structured towards achieving cohesion and congruence.
Rated 25 Nov 2015
ribcageribcage
Rated 05 Jul 2015
92
95th
Great adventure film and mifune is always gold
Rated 05 Jul 2015
chroniclerChronicler
Rated 12 Apr 2015
98
71st
One of the best adventure films out there, The Hidden Fortress is a middle of the road work as Kurosawa films go but it's an enjoyable and entertaining film that has cool action scenes, a good score and Toshiro Mifune. The only criticism I have of the film is that it dragged a bit near the middle. That said, If you like Samurai movies or just like adventure films, The Hidden Fortess is worth checking out.
Rated 12 Apr 2015
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Dec 2014
82
88th
(3rd watcht, 1st:80, 2nd:85)
Rated 03 Dec 2014
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 13 Nov 2014
79
77th
Very entertaining and absolutely solid adventure film with a timeless structure and expert realisation but lacks some of the sublime qualities present Kurosawa's best work.
Rated 13 Nov 2014
medikolaynmedikolayn
Rated 12 Jul 2014
95
98th
the princess's voice is so high pitched
Rated 12 Jul 2014
w00dyW00DY
Rated 13 Jun 2014
82
85th
Awesome adventure film. Some terrific action sequences and suspenseful plot twists. This is one of the few kurasawa films that I laughed, rather than cringed, at the humour.
Rated 13 Jun 2014
thereeldealthereeldeal
Rated 08 May 2014
75
65th
Certainly not my least favorite Kurosawa movie, but The Hidden Fortress is the first to make me question what the point of it all was. I also wonder what the 139 minute running time went towards, as barely anything of significance happened. Most of the movie consists of the two bandits screwing up and Mifune scolding them. No characters or relationships evolve and thus every scene becomes predictable. Uehara's constant shouting is also annoying. The Hidden Fortress is good fun, but no more.
Rated 08 May 2014
ag0stomesmerAg0stoMesmer
Rated 20 Feb 2014
4
91st
My eyes rolled often but it was surprisingly lovely.
Rated 20 Feb 2014
nepetaNepeta
Rated 28 Mar 2013
75
56th
It's a fun film for the most part, it looks good, there's a really fantastic fight scene involving lances and some really exciting moments and good scenes, however at over two hours it did drag a bit, the two peasants who we follow for the whole film got on my nerves with their attempts at humour most of which fell completely flat for me and I can't say I'm over the moon about Uehara's performance as the Princess (she was good when she wasn't speaking...). Very good but not a favourite Kurosawa.
Rated 28 Mar 2013
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 05 Jan 2013
80
83rd
A huge production with masses of actors in some incredible sequences. Excellent dramatic acting by the leads. The story is engaging and flows well. It highlights the struggle between classes and clans. There were a few eye rolling scenes, but for the most part it is a believable sequence and interesting story. A few good fight scenes and many humorous moments. Too bad there isn't an English dubbed version available.
Rated 05 Jan 2013
randorirandori
Rated 01 Jul 2012
65
42nd
bize burdan ne ekmek cikar kafasiyla savasa katilan 2 saskin koylu, tesadufler-sartlar sonucu kendilerini surekli daha zorlayici durumlarda bulurlar. sonunda bu 2li prensesin kacirilmasi, altinlarin kurtarilmasi gibi daha yuce bir goreve farkinda olmadan, istemeye istemeye hizmet ederler. film guclu basliyor. hele savas esirlerinin isyan sahnesiyle iyice yukseliyor ama generalle karsilasmalariyla pazar sabahi filmerine, komedi-aksiyona bagliyor.
Rated 01 Jul 2012
uncle_peteUncle Pete
Rated 02 Apr 2011
87
75th
one of my favorite kurosawa movies actually. the action scenes and pacing were just so right on. some of the best characters of all his films are here too
Rated 02 Apr 2011
armondwhiteArmondWhite
Rated 23 Jan 2011
5
0th
Best known as the major influence on George Lucas' Star Wars, Akira Kurosawa's 1958 The Hidden Fortress deserves recognition as a definitive cultural expression of Japan's master filmmaker.
Rated 23 Jan 2011
glmglm
Rated 18 Jan 2011
92
96th
91.500
Rated 18 Jan 2011
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 30 Oct 2010
60
36th
This movie was just a bit too silly for me. I was kind of not digging it until I saw the duel. It's up there with my favourite duels of all time, perhaps my #1 favourite. It's by far the best scene in the movie. P.S., everybody talks about how The Hidden Fortress helped inspire Star Wars, but nobody talks about how the Princess's eyebrows inspired Mr. Spock's eyebrows in Star Trek. Actually, that's not true. Just my way of saying that her eyebrows are wicked stupid. What's with that?
Rated 30 Oct 2010
big_lemonsBig Lemons
Rated 01 Jan 2010
88
83rd
Lots of fun!
Rated 01 Jan 2010
mechatiggerMechatigger
Rated 04 Dec 2009
86
74th
A gritty fairy tale (said to be the inspiration for _Star Wars_)
Rated 04 Dec 2009
b4conb4con
Rated 08 Oct 2009
90
84th
I agree with the sentiment that this is "lesser" Kurosawa. While it has a captivating grandiosity of the struggle and adventure of this group of people, it's also missing something that is present in Kurosawa's better films. A simple way to describe it is a respectfully indignant satire on humanity that usually carries a hint of optimism. The Hidden Fortress still has that but it's just not as powerful.. there is a lighter, comedic tone.
Rated 08 Oct 2009
krmrkrmr
Rated 05 Mar 2009
62
16th
The first scene is great, but it drops off and drags from there on out. Nothing about this story really needed more than two hours to tell it. Toshiro Mifune is the only thing that kept this film vaguely interesting, he's great and infinitely entertaining, but virtually everything else is a bore.
Rated 05 Mar 2009
drumnddrumnd
Rated 31 Jan 2009
94
94th
This is a great adventure movie, but to me it was more of a comedy. Simply hilarious.
Rated 31 Jan 2009
torontodogtorontodog
Rated 21 Jan 2009
80
85th
After an uneven start, the second half of this movie is excellent, and full of exciting action scenes.
Rated 21 Jan 2009
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
68
36th
650
Rated 19 Dec 2008
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 08 Dec 2008
84
80th
Certainly not the greatest example of Kurosawa's genius, but stands alone as one of the greatest adventure films ever. I tended to feel it lagged a bit in the middle (needing a little more suspense) but is a minor critique.
Rated 08 Dec 2008
attached_eonAttached Eon
Rated 27 Apr 2008
78
77th
Every Kurosawa movie is its own universe of cool. This one is no exception
Rated 27 Apr 2008
joojooJooJoo
Rated 27 Apr 2008
5
81st
Less of a masterpiece but 2x the fun of a normal Kurosawa.
Rated 27 Apr 2008
octane_deathOctane Death
Rated 25 Apr 2008
78
73rd
coolest spear fight scene ever
Rated 25 Apr 2008
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 02 Mar 2008
70
52nd
# 610
Rated 02 Mar 2008
icarusIcarus
Rated 23 Oct 2007
85
79th
Seeing this 20 years after my first viewing, I found it more impressive. I think the first time I felt it on the shallow side. But this time, I appreciated everything about the mountain fortress scenes, especially how the whole sequence was shot--some of the sharp angle photography is just stunning. I am also just so appreciative of Mifune's presence in a film like this--the film does drag a bit until he shows up, but once he does, it's never not good.
Rated 23 Oct 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
70
63rd
Solid film overall.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
baskilbaskil
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
55th
Highly entertaining.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
95th
Classic samurai/adventure film with lots of fun action and an admirably gruff performance from Mifune. Might score higher if the girl playing the princess wasn't constantly screaming at someone about something or other...that got annoying pretty fast.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cthulhaCthulha
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
25th
A direct inspiration for Star Wars, watch it and you'll see a few parallels!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kirjatKirjat
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
19th
yup, nice. Said to be an inspiration for Star Wars. Well, in details, maybe.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 16 Jan 2007
90
88th
Fun Kurosawa. Great cinematography and great Mifune. It's entertaining to see where Star Wars got some of its influences.
Rated 16 Jan 2007

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