The Hidden Fortress
The Hidden Fortress
Lured by gold, two greedy peasants unknowingly escort a princess and her general across enemy lines.
Matthias_812 reviewedApril 2, 2025
Another one of Akira Kurosawa’s landmark films, celebrated for its inventive storytelling and influence on modern film, particularly George Lucas' Star Wars. This adventure set during feudal Japan, follows two bumbling peasants, as they unwittingly help a princess and her general escape through enemy lines. A look at loyalty, survival, and social hierarchy, handled with Kurosawa’s characteristic wit and depth.
Kurosawa’s use of perspective by centering much of the story through the eyes of two commoners, he gives a unique lens on heroism and war, contrasting their selfish, flawed personalities with the nobility of the princess and the bravery of the general. This approach creates a tension as the peasants’ greed and antics often complicate the mission.
The Hidden Fortress is an all round top craft among the rest of Kurosawa’s work. It balances tone, blending comedy and adventure without sacrificing the gravity of the characters’ journey.