The Hidden Fortress

Movie

1958

2h 19m

Japanese

Drama, Action, Adventure

User Score:

8.2

Critic Score:

Watch on The Criterion Channel

In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.

The Hidden Fortress

Movie

1958

2h 19m

Japanese

Drama, Action, Adventure

Watch on The Criterion Channel

In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.

WATCHMODE

8.2

IMDB

CRITIC SCORE

Where to watch

Available in 2 other countries.

See something wrong? Let us know

My Friends' Ratings

In order to see what your friends rated The Hidden Fortress, you need a Watchmode account. It's free and takes just a minute. Create an account

Cast

Full Cast & Crew

Toshirō Mifune

General Rokurota Makabe

Tahei

Matashichi

Princess Yuki

General Hyoe Tadokoro

Takashi Shimura

General Izumi Nagakura

Gambler (uncredited)

Guard (uncredited)

Guard (uncredited)

Guard (uncredited)

Guard (uncredited)

Horseman (uncredited)

Haruya Sakamoto

Horseman (uncredited)

Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi

Horseman (uncredited)

Minoru Itō

Horseman (uncredited)

Shigekatsu Kanazawa

Horseman (uncredited)

Shin Ōtomo

Horseman (uncredited)

Yoshio Tsuchiya

Horseman (uncredited)

Eiko Miyoshi

Maid (uncredited)

Toranosuke Ogawa

Magistrate (uncredited)

Old Man (uncredited)

Samurai (uncredited)

Samurai (uncredited)

Samurai (uncredited)

Samurai (uncredited)

Directed By: Akira Kurosawa

Written By: Akira Kurosawa (Screenplay), Shinobu Hashimoto (Screenplay), + 2 more

Featured Comments/Tips

KurtMoney says...

8 years ago

It's amazing to me how how contemporary this film's pacing of action and comedy feel considering it's over 60 years old. It's well known that Lucas was directly influenced by this film for Star Wars, but I think every "on the run" action/comedy movie since owes a a huge debt to this film as well. It just goes from one jam to another, never letting up. Especially as soon as they hit the road. This is great.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 20 0

karinrosner says...

2 years ago

This film was a bit hard to access as a Westerner, but with a little patience, I was rewarded. I definitely see its influence on Lucas and Star Wars, but our feudal peasants are _very_ different from our droids, Star Wars fans: their portrayal shows all of their crassness with really nothing to redeem them. On the technical side of things, the Criterion subtitles in white were very difficult to read against the film’s backgrounds.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Maitre_méchant says...

4 months ago

This movie is very funny, every scene with the duo works perfectly and the humor aged very well.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Nox Anexayi says...

11 months ago

I loved 7 Samurai, though admittedly I had to watch it in 2 sittings but it was a masterpiece. This is the second Akira Kurosawa movie from the boxset, and the one I looked forward to most. I loved Toshiro Mifune in the last one so I'm happy to see him back in this.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Show all comments (9) Leave comment

Featured User Reviews

CinemaSerf

2 years ago

Now though top billing and much of the screen time is afforded to Kurosawa regular Toshirô Mifune ("Gen. Makabe") this film really belongs to the two opportunistic farmers "Matakichi" (Kamatari Fujiwara) and "Tahei" (Minori Chiaki). These two chancers learn of a fortune in gold hidden away after th More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Show all reviews (1) Write Review