The Hidden Fortress (Kakushi toride no san akunin, 1962)
Kurosawa Akira
Japan
139 mins, black and white, Japanese (English subtitles)
The lightest of Kurosawa's jidai-geki, THE HIDDEN FORTRESS is perhaps best known this side of the pond as the inspiration for George Lucas' STAR WARS (this is so painfully true and trite that the Criterion DVD is supposedly coming out with a commentary soundtrack by the guy). Unfortunately, this status completely distorts this extremely well-done and entertaining film.
Let's first dispense with the pleasantries. Maybe the two bickering peasants, Tahei (Minoru Chiaki) and Matashichi (Kamatari Fujiwara), were the source of C3PO and R2-D2 but if that is the case, then Lucas has flattened them into one-dimensional and basically boring characters. In comparison, the peasants are greedy, treacherous, cowardly, and very stupid. There's actually no heroism, even of the latent variety, to make them remotely likable. At first, they are mildly amusing, then they become tiresome, then annoying, and then plainly worth killing. From slapstick comedy, to (almost) tragedy, to pathetic irrelevance, the two are worthless companions and the mandatory comedic element in this fast-paced adventure story. This is were the similarities end. Although there's the strong-headed princess and her rescue party, one should give Lucas his due as he certainly was not copying from this film.
The literal translation of the Japanese title is THREE BAD MEN IN A HIDDEN FORTRESS, and it is true that the farmers are not the only characters that are not good. At first, it may appear that the General is noble, brave, and honorable (at least by medieval Japanese standards), but then I recall the scene where it becomes apparent that he has sacrificed his sister so that the Princess may live (and even that sacrifice proves futile when the real Princess is discovered). Yoshimoto's analysis is blatantly weak here. He seems to think that this behavior was appropriate for the General, but it is not evident that this is so, judging by the reaction of the Princess herself. By the way, the same author seems to think the farmers are likable, but they are most definitely not: there's literally nothing good about them.
The two farmers have survived fighting on the losing side in an inter-clan war sometime presumably during the Warring States period. They narrowly escape slave labor, when the fellow workers revolt, and stumble across gold concealed in twigs (of all places). Unknowingly to them, they are recruited by General Rokurota Makabe (Toshiro Mifune) to help Princess Yuki (of the defeated clan) trek to safety to the territory of a friendly clan carrying her family's gold. The unlikely party of four, and later, five, has to smuggle the gold and their own persons through enemy territory because the victorious troops are guarding the direct route. After many twists and turns, including the defection of a previous enemy General, the party reaches its destination, although not in one piece. The farmers are seemingly changed by the experience and bicker less.
Again, this is a very light, especially compared to SEVEN SAMURAI and YOJIMBO, but perhaps closer to SANJURO, jidai-geki. Kurosawa surely knows how to film all sorts of scenes, such as the two farmers climbing a steep hill with sliding stones, or plunging to save a bag of gold from rolling downhill; or Rokurota in hot pursuit, on horseback, with a sword drawn in both hands. There's even a odd duel sequence that involves more shouting, growling, and waving lances around than actual fighting. Overall, this is a must-see film. The sets (as usual) faithfully recreate feudal Japan, and the relationship between characters is believable (although methinks the Lady did shout too much). From the unswerving readiness for self-sacrifice in service to the Master, to the dishonor caused by the refusal of the winner to kill the loser in hand-to-hand combat, and to the defection of a loyal samurai, everything has its source in history as far as I can tell. The complicated interconnected honor system is recreated in detail, a pleasure to watch.
There's a Hong Kong produced DVD, as with all Kurosawa films, but I am staying away from it and waiting for the definite Criterion edition, supposedly coming out in a month or so. The HK DVDs have one major problem even when the picture is tolerable: the English subtitles are awful, full of spelling mistakes, and rarely making sense. I've heard that HIDDEN FORTRESS is no exception; in addition, all Japanese names have been translated from their Chinese equivalents! I'd stay away from this DVD unless you really can't afford the Criterion version.
March 23, 2001. BLS