3.1. A couple of moments don't make sense, but the story expresses a true journey. (Also, if you are interested in "Star Wars" influences, watch "The Hidden Fortress." George Lucas had to have been influenced more than the peasants for his creation of R2-D2 and C-3PO.)

Some parts are drawn out too much, but overall, the Hidden Fortress is an expertly directed adventure with thrilling fight sequences and strong characters.

Great movie. Way ahead of its time. The characters are great and very well acted.

A sublime example of a breezy, good-natured, humorous adventure.

This is my favourite Kurosawa film! It is such a blast to watch. The characters are lovely, and the story is compelling. It is an adventure, comedy samurai flick which everybody should watch!

It's entertaining from start to finish but what pushes the film into the level of greatness is that the film's two central characters are greedy cowards who Kurosawa somehow manages to get the audience to completely empathize with.

WOW. Flies by but has so much going on. Epic.

The Hidden Fortress is the definition of a masterpiece any way you slice it. The cinematography, acting, directing, set pieces, screenplay, etc. are all exquisitely done. This is one Akira Kurosawa's best works. This film is essential viewing for all.

In questo film traspare cristallina ed indefessa la dignità dell'umano. Altro capolavoro di Kurosawa

enjoyed watching the George Lucas interview first to see what inspirations he took from this movie for Star Wars. Interesting that such a strong female character has been so overlooked from a movie in the 50's.

George Lucas was inspired by this movie's story, characters, and sequences and it really does show in many scenes how the material overlapped into one of the best made trilogies of all time. That was one of my main reasons for giving this movie a try and I actually really liked it! The acting was convincing, the action and duels/fights were very well directed for the time, and the story was original and captivating throughout! Akira Kurosawa was quite the film artist and inspired generations with his work, and all of the main cast members did real justice with the roles they were given. Plus, the scenery and wide shots in many scenes were gorgeous as well!

Another Kurosawa masterpiece, The Hidden Fortress is a fun and really well done film that is just a fun and engaging watch! Great character portrayals and a stunning screenplay filled with adventure and stunning battles. Mifune gives a reserved and masterful performance that is typical of the legendary actor. An amazing film that holds up amazingly well and is a pleasure to watch!

Controversial opinion but I think this is Kurosawa's best samurai film. Maybe his only truly entertaining film with good characters, a lot of action and a fun, easily understood plot. I really enjoyed watching and certainly rate it higher than it's Star Wars follow ups.

A stylish and flat-out enjoyable samurai movie, The Hidden Fortress is perhaps best known by the American public for its influence on Star Wars, but is a brilliant and accessible movie in its own right.

I just couldn't get into this one. The story is subpar, the humor falls flat, and Misa Uehara is not a very good actress. Director Kurosawa does manage to present some impressive set pieces here and there though.

This classic Akira Kurosawa film came 4 years after the Seven Samurai. The story of a rebel princess trying to covertly get back to her kingdom with the aid of a loyal Samurai and two bumbling peasants is engaging, funny, and multilayered. I know George Lucas says it impacted Star Wars. While it is clear to me that Dune was his major story influence that there are elements of this film in Star Wars. The Enemy warriors' helmets are the foundation for Darth Vader's. In 1958 the role of Princess Yuki as a defiant, bold, tough, but feminine character is clearly a forerunner to Princess Leia. After reading about Lucas it seems clear to me that R2D2 and C3PO are modeled after Hidden Fortress's two main characters, the bumbling, often at odds, peasants. A great film.

Wonderful combination of comedy in a dark time. Both stories are shown so well.

Fun little romp with some real lovable characters.

Great story but the two peasants should have been played straight or left out completely.

Kurosawa's love for exploring the flaws of characters is immediately evident in Hidden Fortress, but many of the complex themes that he explored in similar films are noticeably absent. This is a much more simplistic and easily digestible entry in the master's catalog, but the sharply defined characters and the interesting perspective of the inherently unlikable pair of 'protagonists' make this an interesting film regardless. (4/5)