Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

VividSimon Simply Perfect

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Yashua Kimbrough (jimniexperience) Classic Action Adventure movie about a Master General guiding his exiled princess into safe lands: he's accompanied with two petty thieves who know the layout of the land

elvircorhodzic THE HIDDEN FORTRESS is an adventure drama with elements of comedy, which examines human courage, loyalty and greed.A country is torn apart in a war between two rival clans. A two poor farmers are trying to use a state of the war in order to profit. Their attempts are usually unsuccessful. After one attempt, the two of them barely save lives. However, they accidentally find a couple of bars of gold, which are marked with symbols of the defeated clan. One general (of dubious identity) is interested in gold also. He promises them a share in the wealth if they help him to escape to a free territory. A mute girl will join them ....Mr. Kurosawa has presented a medieval clash in Japan through a joint adventure between two greedy and unstable, but hilarious characters and two strong characters which manifest courage and loyalty at the same time. The war topics, except at the beginning of the film, are in the background. A dismal and cruel landscape corresponds to human greed and slyness.The story is quite tense and exciting. The focus is on two unlikable characters, whose cowardice is almost tragicomic. The true heroes are a kind of "support" in this story.Minoru Chiaki (Tahei) and Kamatari Fujiwara (Matashichi) were simply excellent. The rwo paupers, which with their greed and cowardice drive everyone crazy in a tragicomic way. They are constantly in conflict and they give a certain comic dimension in this film. Toshiro Mifune as general Rokurota Makabe is extremely strong, loyal and brave character, who gradually revives his heroic figure. Misa Uehara as Princess Yuki has offered an impressive performance. A bit arrogant princess is doing well in the role of the mute girl. This crazy adventure has changed her character.This is one fast, funny and visually impressive adventure where Mr. Kurosawa made an excellent balance between courage and cowardice, or between tragedy and comedy.

George Roots (GeorgeRoots) I was 22, and "The Hidden Fortress" (1958) was the first Akira Kurosawa film I ever saw (I remember watching the first 30 minutes of "Seven Samurai" 1954, sometime). If you find that hard to believe put your mind to rest knowing that for the next two weeks I had seen all of Kurosawa's Samurai movies, and I had found one of my new top 5 favourite directors. But that's not all, for here I am also introduced to the likes of Toshiro Mifune, an icon in every sense of the word who went on to collaborate with Kurosawa for 16 wonderful movies.It's also been well documented that "The Hidden Fortress", served as one of the inspirations for George Lucas's "Star Wars" (1977). Two peasants (Minoru Chiaki and Kamatari Fujiwara) intend to fight for the winning Yamana clan, but unfortunately get mistaken for the dwindling Akizuki clan and forced into burying the dead and digging for the failing clans gold. A chance uprising allows both to escape unharmed and throughout their travels and eternal squabbling they stumble across some Akizuki gold, attracting the attention of a certain gruff General (Toshiro Mifune). This leads both men being enlisted to unknowingly help the Akizuki Princess (Misa Uehara) cross the Yamana territories in hope to rebuild the broken clan.From the opening shot it's adventure, action and sheer spectacle. The musical score is loud and ever rising to highlight the tension and dangers of feudal Japan, which are beautifully rendered in great establishing shots. Toshiro Mifune's character shines as the wonderful no-nonsense General. Makabe Rokurōta, which impressed Lucas enough he asked Mifune to play Obi-Wan Kenobi. Finally, Kurosawa's camera-work is as natural as it comes, and the acting is wonderful from all fronts which I now know are made up of a few of Kurosawa's regular casting choices.Final Verdict: "The Hidden Fortress" remains a wonderful blockbuster Jidaigeki movie, and as my introduction to Kurosawa's filmography I have nothing but fond memories. 9/10.

tom van de Bospoort One of those brilliant classics from Akira Kurosawa, it has a bit of everything, and shows a way to newer films with its very brilliant acting and more so its shots, which really set you into the film. There is not a dull moment like in a lot of old films, the style of Kurosawa showing through and his quality of film making.Clearly one for all true film lovers and one for all film students to watch and awe over, the brilliance of each shot and the refinement of brilliant film making.A clear 8/10, a brilliant film.One of two Japanese film makers to watch Kurosawa and Ozu, leading the way to modern film making.