Seven Samurai is a classic 1954 film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It tells the story of poor farmers in 16th-century Japan who hire seven skilled samurai to defend their village from bandits who steal their crops each year.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Samuraihttps://en.namu.wiki/w/7%EC%9D%B8%EC%9D%98%20%EC%82%AC%EB%AC%B4%EB%9D%BC%EC%9D%B4
The movie opens in 1586 during Japan’s Sengoku period, a time of constant war. Bandits on horseback spot a quiet mountain village and plan to raid it after the barley harvest for the biggest loot. One farmer, Yohei, overhears them and rushes back to warn everyone.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Samuraihttps://en.namu.wiki/w/7%EC%9D%B8%EC%9D%98%20%EC%82%AC%EB%AC%B4%EB%9D%BC%EC%9D%B4https://www.alternateending.com/2026/01/seven-samurai-1954.html
The villagers panic because the local leaders cannot help. Village elder Gisaku tells them to hire samurai, even though they have no money. They can only offer rice and shelter, so they must find hungry ronin, or masterless samurai down on their luck. A few farmers, including the hot-tempered Rikichi, head to the city and struggle for days.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Samuraihttps://en.namu.wiki/w/7%EC%9D%B8%EC%9D%98%20%EC%82%AC%EB%AC%B4%EB%9D%BC%EC%9D%B4
They meet Kambei Shimada, a wise old warrior who has seen many battles. Kambei proves his skill by saving a kidnapped child while disguised as a monk. He agrees to lead the fight and recruits six others: the young and eager Katsushiro, the cheerful Heihachi, the strong Gorobei who joins to help friends, the silent expert swordsman Kyuzo, the boastful but brave Kikuchiyo, and the steady Shichiroji.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Samuraihttps://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/akira-kurosawa/the-seven-samurai-rankedhttps://www.criterion.com/current/posts/19-seven-samurai
Back at the village, tensions rise. Kikuchiyo, who turns out to be a farmer’s son pretending to be samurai, yells at the farmers for hiding rice from the warriors. He points out how samurai have hurt peasants in the past. Kambei trains everyone, arming farmers with bamboo spears and building defenses like walls and a moat.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Samuraihttps://www.criterion.com/current/posts/19-seven-samurai
Scouts find the bandits’ camp. The samurai attack first, burning it down, but Rikichi sees his wife held captive there, explaining his anger. The main battle comes in heavy rain. Bandits charge with guns and swords, but the villagers fight back smartly. Houses burn, including Gisaku’s mill where he dies saving others. Kyuzo and Kikuchiyo fall to musket fire from the bandit chief, but the samurai win.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Samuraihttps://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/akira-kurosawa/the-seven-samurai-ranked
The film mixes thrilling fights with humor and deep feelings. It shows class differences between samurai and farmers, and how warriors seek purpose in a changing world. Kurosawa uses long shots of galloping horses, slow-motion sword clashes, and muddy chaos to make every scene exciting.https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/19-seven-samurai
