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It is set in 16th Century Japan at a time when civil war
and famine are rife and survival is tough.
A raiding party of brigands occupies the village, but discovering
no food is yet available they leave but vow to return when
the crops are ripe.
The farmers have no chance against the swordsmen and so they
must hire protection - only they've no money. One wise old
head suggests trying to recruit some of the wandering samurai
- who are unemployed and starving - with the offer of food.
A small group of villagers is sent on this difficult task
and while most of the elite warriors spurn their offers the
recruiters manage to round up seven very different swordsmen
and begin the trip home.
Back in the village the samurai ready the villagers to defend
their crops and families just in time for the big battle with
the bandits.
That is a hugely brief synopsis for a 201-minute movie -
much longer than the video versions we've seen here - that
has everything you could possibly want in entertainment.
The fight scenes are superb and add excitement to an already
rich tale of characters.
Seven Samurai is 50 years old but remains a masterpiece of
film-making. Its presentation on this disc - due to considerable
digital repair work - has come up really well, although it
is by no means pristine and suffers from film artefacts.
The sound is 5.1 and is fine.
Conclusion: Movie 90% Extras 30%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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