Slideshow
THE HIDDEN FORTRESS
Japan, 1958
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Starring Toshirō Mifune, Misa Uehara, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara
Approx. 139 min. DCP.
Two constantly bickering and bumbling farmers on the run from clan wars are dragooned by superman general Mifune into aiding his rescue of fugitive princess Misa Uehara and her family’s hidden gold. Pure entertainment from the masters, acknowledged as the inspiration for STAR WARS.
Presented with support from The Reginald S. Reinhardt, Ling-Makekau Fund for Asia-Pacific Films
Reviews
“Confirmed Kurosawa's greatest strength.”
– Time Out
“One of the greatest action-adventure films ever made.”
– David Ehrenstein, Criterion
“Deserves recognition as a definitive cultural expression of Japan’s master filmmaker.”
– Armond White
“In THE HIDDEN FORTRESS Kurosawa not only commemorated historical Japanese myths with new, vivid feeling but also created the source for many of the enduring entertainment tropes in world cinema today.”
– Armond White