The Hidden Fortress (1958)

Good movies inspire.  And great directors make great movies.  In 1958 Akira Kurosawa directed The Hidden Fortress, using his favorite star Toshiro Mifune.  It's a simple tale really, about two peasants fleeing a war.  As they attempt to flee across a border they find two things they did not expect: a mysterious source of gold, and two strangers.  The strangers of course turn out to be a princess and her champion, a fierce and legendary samurai.  They also are fleeing, being on the losing side of the war.  But they are in disguise, and the peasants agree to help them get over the border as well in exchange for the gold.

This movie gets a lot right: the interactions between the characters is memorable and fun.  The plot is simple, yet alludes to a much grander, wider world.  The dialogue is fun, the acting good, and the pacing of the action perfect.  Most notably, The Hidden Fortress excels in its use of action.  The whole movie we are hearing of how masterful a warrior this general Makabe is, but we only ever see him acting the role of a peasant.  But in one glorious moment, the disguise is shed and the warrior emerges, powerful, strong, and dangerous.  I hadn't realized it, but I had been waiting for the general to show his stuff, and when he did it was amazingly powerful.

It's a simple movie, yet very well done.  And it's inspiring, as I've said.  George Lucas, in fact, cites The Hidden Fortress as a chief inspiration for his later Star Wars.  You know, the one where two more or less normal guys try to smuggle a princess and her general away from another evil empire...

Entertainment: 8/10
Artistic Value: 6/10
Technical Merit: 7/10

Overall: 7/10