Hidden Fortress
From Conservapedia
| The Hidden Fortress | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | Akira Kurosawa |
| Produced by | Sanezumi Fujimoto Akira Kurosawa |
| Written by | Shinobu Hashimoto Ryuzo Kikushima Akira Kurosawa Hideo Oguni |
| Starring | Toshirō Mifune Misa Uehara Minoru Chiaki Kamatari Fujiwara |
| Music by | Masaru Sato |
| Cinematography | Ichio Yamazeki |
| Editing by | Akira Kurosawa |
| Distributed by | Toho Company Ltd |
| Release date(s) | 1958 (Japan), 1960 (USA) |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
The Hidden Fortress (隠し砦の三悪人 Kakushi toride no san akunin) is a 1958 Japanese film, directed by Akira Kurosawa, who also directed the classic Seven Samurai. Although the film has never been dubbed and only sub-titled versions are available, it has continued to influence writers and directors through the years.
Perhaps the best known of these is Star Wars, with George Lucas himself admitting that he based the characters of C3PO and R2D2 on the characters of characters of Tahei and Matakishi. In addition, the aspects of the character of the Samurai General and be seen in both Obi-wan Kenobi and Han Solo, whilst the princess lent much of her character to both Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. Hayao Miyazaki also incorporated elements of "Hidden Fortress" in his animated film, Princess Mononoke. [1]
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Synopsis
The film manages to skilfully combine a stirring adventure tale, with comedy, and with the evergreen "Prince and the Pauper" theme, as the story forces the Princess to face the daily trials of the lower classes, when she is forced to impersonate a peasant herself. Kurosawa delivers a solid period piece, set in feudal Japan, during one of the many civil wars, as well as a social commentary, as he highlights the class system still prevalent within Japan.
Two peasants, Tahei and Matakishi, are making their way home, having fled the battlefield and deserted from their Daimyo's army. They cross paths with General Rokurota Makabe, disguised as a peasant farmer and the Princess Yuki, who acts as his mute daughter (She cannot speak when others are around, or her cultured accent would betray her). Her army has been defeated in battle, and the General is escorting her to safety, together with the remainder of her wealth. This wealth, safely hidden in bundles of wood, is to be used to rebuild her army, once they reach safety.
Makabe convinces the two rogues to join them, by telling them he knows where a large amount of gold is hidden, thus appealing to their greed. This results in the group, later joined by a farmer's daughter, whom they buy from a slave-trader, travelling around, hiding, and occasionally engaging, enemy troops. Whereas the action scenes are left to Makabe, it is the constantly bickering Tahei and Matakisihi who provide the comedic elements. They are in stark contrast to the gallant general, or stoic princess, displaying gross stupidity, greed and avarice at times. However, they also serve a crucial role as the film's narrators, serving the role that the choir as used in Noh theater fulfils.
Towards the end of the film, the action scenes really come to the fore and the true skill of Kurosawa as a film-maker can be seen. In the scenes of a horseback chase, leading a spear duel, as well as the last frantic run for safety, Kurosawa skilfully builds the tension. Even when the opposing armies close in on them, he keeps track of exactly what is happening, without having to cut rapidly between scenes. Even now, his style remains fresh, despite the age of the film.
Cast
| Character | Japanese Cast |
|---|---|
| General Rokurota Makabe | Toshirô Mifune |
| Princess Yuki | Misa Uehara |
| Tahei | Minoru Chiaki |
| Matakishi | Kamatari Fujiwara |
| General Izumi Nagakura | Takashi Shimura |
| General Hyoe Tadokoro | Susumu Fujita |
| Old Lady-in-Waiting | Eiko Miyoshi |
| Farmer's Daughter (bought from slave trader) | Toshiko Higuchi |
| Guard | Koji Mitsui |
| Samurai | Shiten Ohashi |
| Slave Trader | Kichijiro Ueda |
| Gambler | Ikio Sawamura |
Trivia
George Lucas paid a subtle tribute to "Hidden Fortress" in "Star Wars". During the first conference room scene on-board the Death Star, Darth Vader telepathically strangles an Imperial officer, just before the unfortunate man can complete the phrase, "...the Rebel's hidden fort..." [2]
