#VD7560A
Akira Kurosawa's epic tale concerns honor and duty during a time when the old traditional order is breaking down. The film opens with master samurai Kambei (Takashi Shimura) posing as a monk to save a kidnapped farmer's child. Impressed by his selflessness and bravery; a group of farmers begs him to defend their terrorized village from bandits. Kambei agrees; although there is no material gain or honor to be had in the endeavor. Soon he attracts a pair of followers: a young samurai named Katsushiro (Isao Kimura); who quickly becomes Kambei's disciple; and boisterous Kikuchiyo (Toshiro Mifune); who poses as a samurai but is later revealed to be the son of a farmer. Kambei assembles four other samurais; including Kyuzo (Seiji Miyaguchi); a master swordsman; to round out the group. Together they consolidate the village's defenses and shape the villagers into a militia; while the bandits loom menacingly nearby. Soon raids and counter-raids build to a final bloody heart-wrenching battle. This has been re-mastered and is the uncut edition. 90 minutes.