Week 2 Challenge Selection-A Classic Film

There are so many definitions of classic film, but I decided to stay within the boundaries of what I think many people immediately imagine when they think of a classic film, but also moved enough to the edge of that definition to be a little different.

My selection for week two of the challenge is the 1954 film Seven Samurai, written and directed by the acclaimed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa.

Now, I have a small confession to make. I have never seen a Kurosawa film. I'm a little ashamed of that fact, but it's a glaring hole in my film resume and one that I jumped at the chance to fill here. I considered holding this film a few weeks until we get to a film with subtitles, but I have at least one other film in mind for that category.

I also wanted to make a minor departure from the "classics" that many people think of when they hear that word. I often think of the films of the 1930s and 1940s like Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, etc. It's a narrow definition of classics, and I discussed that at length in my previous post. It's honestly something I am eager to explore beyond this challenge and may even put together a new series based on some lesser known classics in the future.

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Kurosawa

I'm also taking this opportunity to learn a bit more about Kurosawa himself. A quick glance at his filmography shows that he really started working in film during the years directly before World War II, directing his first feature in 1943 during the throes of that conflict. I also discovered that he continued to direct films well into his 70s and 80s.

Beyond his directing, Kurosawa was also a prolific screenwriter with numerous credits to his name for other directors and also authored several books in his later years.

Check out the trailer for the film below.

I'm excited to add this film to my viewing history and see what all the fuss is about. Let me know what "classic" film you've chosen for your viewing this week in the comments below!