“Hide a stone among stones and a man among men.” —Rokurota Makabe
Today’s quick review: The Hidden Fortress. Tahei (Minoru Chiaki) and Matashichi (Kamatari Fujiwara), a pair of fortune seekers, stumble across a hidden fortress where General Rokurota Makaba (Toshiro Mifune) and Princess Yuki (Misa Uehara), the leaders of the conquered Akizuki clan, are hiding. Unaware of their companions’ identities, Tahei and Matashichi help smuggle Makaba, Yuki, and a fortune in gold out of occupied Akizuki territory.
The Hidden Fortress is a classic Japanese samurai adventure directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film follows the misadventures of two peasants as they get caught up in war and political intrigue. Fleeing danger and chasing the promise of treasure, Tahei and Matashichi become instrumental in Makaba and Yuki’s flight to safety. The Hidden Fortress is a sweeping tale of greed, honor, and friendship backed by solid cinematography and likable characters.
The Hidden Fortress covers a broad emotional spectrum. From the peril and hardship of war to the comical schemes of Tahei and Matashichi to the cunning heroism of General Makaba, the film delivers drama, action, and quite a bit of comedy. Tahei and Matashichi ground the story with their steady banter and streaks of good and bad luck. No matter how dangerous the situation gets, the two peasants muddle their way through.
Meanwhile, Rokurota Makaba holds up the heroic side of the film quite nicely. Faced with the nearly impossible taks of getting his princess out of occupied territory, he uses a series of clever ploys to manipulate the peasants, protect Yuki and the gold, and avoid enemy troops. His prowess in combat gives the film several strong fight scenes, while his interactions with Yuki give the story its share of important events and drama.
The Hidden Fortress is a finely balanced film that handles its harsh setbacks and lighter moments with equal ease. The journey of Tahei, Matashichi, Makaba, and Yuki is an enjoyable one to watch, while everything about the writing, acting, and direction shows the same excellent craftsmanship. Anyone who is in the mood for a sweeping adventure should give it a shot. For a more sober samurai drama from Akira Kurosawa, try Seven Samurai.
[8.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051808/). I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for an enjoyable story and high quality.