The Hidden Fortress (1958)
b/w, Restored

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A story of rival clans, hidden gold and a princess in distress, The Hidden Fortress is a thrilling mix of fairy story and samurai action movie. It was Kurosawa's first film shot in the widescreen process of Tohoscope, and he exploited this to the full in the film's rich variety of landscape locations, including the slopes of Mount Fuji.

The Hidden Fortress became Kurosawa's biggest box office hit to date and won several awards, including the Golden Bear at the1959 Berlin Film Festival. Some twenty years on, the film's influence would have even greater impact on the world’s box office, when George Lucas borrowed elements of its plot for the first of his Star Wars series.

Extras:
Newly restored in 4K and presented in High Definition
Newly recorded audio commentary by Japanese-cinema expert Tony Rayns
Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Hidden Fortress (2002)
Interview with George Lucas(2001, 8 mins)
Original trailer