The Hidden Fortress

Akira Kurosawa, Japan, 1958, ? minutes

On returning home from a war, two defeated soldies/farmers stumble across a bar of gold. While fighting over it they are approached by the rightful owners, Princess Yukihimi (Uehara) and her loyal defated general Rokurota (Mifune). The unlikely group must together transport the royal fortune of a wagon of gold across the ememy land that is thier conquered province, to establish their kingdom once again.

Their dangerous journey invoves evading capture by the enemy while saving the gold and the princess. Achieving this involves fantastic fighting as always by Mifune and also acting as a mute, much to the annoyance of the princess. To make the journey even more risky is the constant bickering and general foolishness from the two farmers. This is much to the annoyance of the princess and the general, but provides us with humour rarely seen in other Kurosawa films.

In my opinion, this is the best Kurosawa film due to the excitment and tension created along the journey, wondering if they will be caught by the villanous enemy. They come so close to getting caught but we are surprised, along with the enemy how they outwit them everytime using cunning, fighting and luck. Also the humour created by the differences in all of the characters, the honorable and courageous general, the proud princess, and the idiotic, greedy farmers. In my opinion of this film I am in good company. Kurosawa himself apparently counts this as his favorate of his own films and also some of you may have noticed similarities with another film. George Lucas claimed that he drew inspiration for Star Wars from The Hidden Fortress. Similarities can be seen in the basic plot but give me the bumbling farmers instead of two shiny robots anyday!

Review by Lindsey Macdonald
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2001