Seven Samurai

Akira Kurosawa’s SEVEN SAMURAI, one of the greatest action films ever made, reaches its 70th anniversary this year. The 1954 film, nominated for two Oscars and three BAFTAs, has influenced the work of directors from George Lucas to Steven Spielberg, and spawned remakes, most notably John Sturges’ acclaimed THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960). Now newly restored in 4K, overseen by Toho Co. Ltd, Japan, its restoration world premiere was at the Cannes Film Festival 2024.

When 16th-century farmers whose village is repeatedly attacked by merciless bandits ask an elderly masterless samurai (Takashi Shimura) for help, offering nothing but food in return, he hesitantly agrees, and assembles a band of warriors to defend and train the villagers. Boasting terrific performances, particularly from Shimura and Toshirô Mifune as a peasant masquerading as a samurai, the film has superb camerawork and expertly mounted battle sequences.

There will be a five minute intermission during this screening.