KAMBEI. What ran through your mind at that moment?
S. Nothing special.
K. Sick of fighting yet? (Shichiroji doesn't answer) Truth is, there's a tough battle ahead leading to neither money nor rank. Will you join us?
S. (without hesitation) Yes.
The tall samurai demands that Kyuzo fight with real swords.
KYUZO. If these [swords] were steel, you'd be dead now.
TALL SWORDSMAN. Then we fight with steel!
K. Don't throw your life away.
TS. What?
K. Don't you see? With the steel blades, you'd die. It's a waste of your life.
Kambei is watching. After a moment he comments.
KAMBEI. This is preposterous. There's no contest.
Take a look at this scene from the 1960 American remake: it is a re-imagining of the scene where master swordsman Kyozo fights the arrogant samurai. Here is the scene from the Seven Samurai.
This is Kurosawa filming Seven Samurai.
1. What moment in today's viewing stayed with you—and why?
2. Look at the two scenes I posted above, one from the 1960 American western remake and the original. Which do you prefer and why?
3. Leaving Kambei out of the discussion for a moment: which character in the film—samurai or farmer—do you find yourself drawn to. Why?
4. Finally: look at the two sections I quoted at the top of the page.
•5th Period: look at the second quote—Kyuzo, Kambei, and the Tall Swordsman: how does this moment help us understand what Seven Samurai is about? Quote from the section. Don't simply agree with each other—come up with your own answer and/or add to what others have said.
•6th Period: look at the first quote—Kambei and Shichiroji: how does this moment help us understand what Seven Samurai is about? Quote from the section. Don't simply agree with each other—come up with your own answer and/or add to what others have said.
As always, about 200 words to answer the four questions.
Finally: Toshiro Mifune, who plays Kukichiyo, is considered the greatest of Japanese actors; or at least the best known in the West, due to his roles in several Kurosawa films (and mostly due to what we're watching). The late John Belushi, one of the stars of Saturday Night Live back when it started, did a hilarious part-homage, part-parody of the Mifune samurai figure. Watch it here.
Today was definitely more interesting than the first section because there was more action and dialogue between the characters. When everybody has gotten back to the village and Kukuchiyo sounds the fake alarm, the movie really picks up. His comedic character brings an element of humor to a movie that otherwise would be very serious. I know that this is probably what John would think of us, but I liked the 1960 remake version better. The Seven Samurai scene took twice as long to evoke the same outcomes and emotions. Also, the knife trick was pretty cool to see because the saying "don’t bring a knife to a gun fight" doesn’t apply here. My favorite Samurai is actually Katsushiro. I never would have expected this out of myself. He brings a youthful energy that is severely lacking in this film. This energy is displayed mostly in his scene with Shino when he wrestles her to the ground after she has convinced his that she is a young man. After Kambei asks Shichiroji is he will join them in a battle that will bring neither money nor rank, Shichiroji says no without hesitation. This shows the fighting spirit that most of the samurai hold in their hearts. They pride themselves on their fighting ability and cunning rather than the amount of money laying in their pockets. This is a beautiful attribute to posses in a time where social structures rule over the land.
ReplyDeleteThe moment when a couple of the Samurai and the farmer attempt to and succeed in convincing Kambie that they should let Katsushiro fight with them has stayed with me. Partly because I think the scene reflects Kambie’s character. His men openly challenge his decision, and instead of yelling at them for questioning his authority, Kambie allows the Katsushiro to return. While he cares about the safety of Katsushiro, Kambie also respects others opinions.
ReplyDeleteI liked the original version better. I think it does a better job of setting up the character of Kyuzo. We see that he is an expert swordsman who is very efficient at killing other people. However, in his repeated attempts to dissuade the tall Samurai, and Kyuzo’s initial usage of bamboo poles, show that he doesn't just want to kill because he can. He doesn't want to waste someone's life.
I find myself drawn to Shichiroji. His fairly easy going nature, as well as his loyalty to his friend, Kambie, make him very likable to me. If I were to be in his company, I think I would feel at ease. His immediate “yes” in regards to Kambie asking him to join the fight made him seem very understanding, humble, and willing to help others, no matter the cost.
I think that the idea of helping those in need is one that appears in this section, and one that the movie portrays. Shichiroji accepts Kambie’s request, knowing full well that “there's a tough battle ahead leading to neither money nor rank”. Also, earlier in the scene Shichiroji says “I knew I was finished”. This could either mean he though/new that he was going to die, or that he knew that he was done fighting other people. With both these possibilities in mind, we see that whether Shichiroji is scared or done with fighting, he is willing to draw his sword once more to join his friend to help the farmers. He puts his own desires aside for a moment, knowing full well that he won't get any material goods out of his actions and that he could die, all to save a small farming village.
I definitely really liked the moment when Kambei was remembering the days when he was a young samurai who dreamt and dreamt about being successful and working towards something. He had this goal until his hair turned gray. Then he said by that time, it’s too late and your parents have died. I think what he meant when he said this is that sometimes we let our ambitions eat up our lives so much that we forget to spend time in other important places as well. The reason that this stayed with me was because when I heard this, I was immediately able to make a connection between this and Wit, how Vivian spent her life working towards certain academic achievements that when she realized that there was another part of life that she missed out on, it was too late. I believe that Kambei’s and Vivian’s backstories are very similar in that way.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the one from Seven Samurai, because the moments of silence where the two opponents fiercely stare at each other are longer, which adds more tension and emotion to the scene. Both have the same overall message, but the 1960 American version doesn’t have the same intensity as the Seven Samurai one does.
I find myself drawn to Katsushiro for many reasons. One is his artistic appreciation. When he was exploring the field and picking flowers, he stopped and laid in the field and stared at the sky. That shot of his view of the sky stayed with me as well. I really like his appreciation for simplicity because I can relate to that. Another thing I really like is his eagerness to learn more about being a samurai. He wants to be the best at what he does, which is why he begs Kambei to take him as a disciple. I can see some part of myself in his personality in that way too, so overall, Katsushiro is the one who I relate with the most.
I think this moment in the film shows two types of characters: those who are skilled and wise and those who try to prove that they are skilled and wise. The tall swordsman was definitely, in that moment, trying to prove his skill by stupidly challenging another skilled samurai. But Kyuzo, the genuinely wise samurai, used common sense instead to deal with the situation. I think the reason Kambei said that there is no contest was because Kyuzo was clearly wiser than the tall swordsman, because he didn’t quickly resort to violence in order to prove his masculinity like the tall swordsman did. I think this moment contributes to a better understanding of Seven Samurai because it defines what a real samurai should be: skilled and wise, yet fierce.
A moment that stuck out to me in today's part of the film was when one of the village farmers (I forget his name) forced his daughter to cut her hair because he was afraid of what the samurai might do to her. I though this was interesting because he trusts the samurai to defeat the bandits and save the village, but he doesn't trust them around the women in the village.
ReplyDeleteI like the original version better. I think it shows the samurai's swiftness more than it does for the cowboys. A gun vs a knife is not a very fair fight, while the sword fight showed just how skilled the samurai was when the other man was running right towards him. The original scene had a greater effect on me than the 1960s version because I was more impressed with the samurai.
My favorite character so far is the Old Man. I think he has charisma and the entire village respects him and his opinions. he is sort of an "all-knowing" character. it was his idea to bring the samurai and somehow he made it happen even though the village had no money or rewards to give.
I think this scene shows the confidence and expertise that the samurai need to have in order to defeat their competition. The movie as a whole is based around the samurai being able to protect the village and outsmart the bandits, and when Kyuzo beats the swordsman without braking a sweat, it is evident the samurai are likely to succeed. When Kyuzo said, "Don't throw your life away," I was a little bit shocked by his cockiness, but after the fight, I realized just how much more skill he had than just an average villager.
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ReplyDeleteThe moment that stayed with me from today’s viewing was the rather humorous exchange between Shichiroji and the mediocre samurai who was chopping wood. The man who was chopping wood seemed determined to prove his mettle and he claimed that he had killed many men. Schiroji seemed amused by this and by the fact that the man was putting so much enthusiasm into chopping wood. The resulting conversation was funny and lighthearted but it also forwarded the plot.
ReplyDeleteThe moment that stayed with me from today’s viewing was when Kyuzo killed the tall swordsman after the tall swordsman had challenged him to fight with steel. I thought that it was interesting that Kyuzo had repeatedly urged the swordsman not to throw his life away yet after the swordsman kept insisting on fighting with real blades, Kyuzo did no hesitate to strike him down.
I find myself drawn to Kambei because he is wise, clever, and seems to be a cunning warrior as well. He carries himself with honor and dignity.
The quote at the top of the page seems to suggest that Seven Samurai is about finding a purpose beyond the gain of status or money. When Kambei says to Schiroji: Sick of fighting yet? Truth is, there's a tough battle ahead leading to neither money nor rank. Will you join us?” And Schiroji says that he will without hesitating it suggests to me that they have found a purpose greater than money or rank.
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ReplyDelete1. The moment when the samurai went to visit the village elder is still prominent in my memory, although mainly for how Kurosawa used the camera. The scene begins with a close up of the old man's face, which exactly matches earlier in the film when the farmers visited him. Except this time the camera does a wide swing around the old man and rotates until it is almost behind his shoulder, which brings Kambei and another samurai into frame with the old man. It then cuts to a shot of some more samurai, which pulls back to include the old man in frame again, matching the motion of the previous shot. Then again Kurosawa has a shot of the two farmers that pulls back as the old man looks at them. There is so much more I could say about these three shots and how cleverly they establish relationships with movement and smoothly bend the "rules" of film (with the 180* line), but alas, I have 3 other questions to answer...
ReplyDelete2. I think they both did a great job with the same subject matter, but I would argue that Seven Samurai does it a bit better, although I must admit I haven't seen the other film so I might be wrong as I don't know the full context. The scene in Seven Samurai has very important dialogue that develops the themes of what it means to live life with the lines: "Don't throw your life away" and "It's a waste of your life." Which I will talk about more later... #spoilers... It also doesn't loudly play super dramatic music after the character dies, which doesn't take me out of the film as much as the American version does.
3. I love Heihachi, and also Kukuchiyo but for reasons we have yet to get to in the film so I will not count him for now. Heihachi is just so lovable and funny. A lot of the laughs come from his dialogue and the way he approaches life. This is something Gorobai notices immediately and recognizes as something to value in hard times such as war.
4. I agree with what Zoya. This scene helps develop what a samurai should be. A samurai isn't brash and arrogant like the Tall Swordsman, they are poised and honorable like Kyuzo. Even when he is challenged he attempts to argue for his opponents life: "With the steel blades, you'd die. It's a waste of your life." For Samurai life is meant to be spent fighting and dying honorably, in the fields of combat against opressors (in an ideal world, as this is rare in reality for the samurai... an exception being Kambei).
Today’s viewing was much more satisfying than the last one because we are finally seeing all the samurai in one place. One thing that stuck out to me from this viewing was seeing how Kikuchiyo played a role in being one of the seven samurai. Before seeing him helping the farmers in the village, I only thought of Kikuchiyo as a drunk and never saw him as a person who could help the samurai defeat the bandits. However, he brings a sort of positivity and lightheartedness to the movie that I don't think it would have without him.
ReplyDeleteI like the original version better because we get our first impression of Kyuzo from this scene and I think it paints an important picture of his character from it. We are shown that he is very skilled in the art of swordsmanship and that he also doesn't like to pick fights and start conflict if he doesn't have to. The man he eventually kills has to draw his sword before Kyuzo agrees to fight him so I think this shows an important quality in Kyuzo that he will only kill if he has to.
I find myself gravitating to Katsushiro the most because of his younger viewpoint on the situations they come in contact with. I think that his innocence that we see when he goes to lay in the flowers and admire the nature around the village really shows how both young he is as well as his strong and independent characteristics. I think I like Katsushiro the most because he has those qualities that the other samurai have grown out of and I'm excited to see how he fairs in battle.
I think that this scene between Kambei and Shichiroji proves that samurai are extremely brave and value friendships and loyalty. I think it also shows how samurai are more focused on using their skills to help people who are in need than using their skills in exchange for money and profits. When Shichiroji replies to Kambei without hesitation I think this shows that he isn't afraid to die and wants to help his friend Kambei and the farmers who desperately need his help. I also think that Shichiroji proves how both brave and focused he is when he says, “Nothing special” when Kambei asks him what he thought about when the bridge fell on him. Shichiroji definitely has a fighting spirit and attitude that he gets from being such a good samurai.
ReplyDeleteThe scene where Manzo, one of the farmers, comes home distraught to his daughter, yelling at her that she must cut off her hair and dress like a boy stuck with me the most from this last section. He is terrified of “what the Samurai’s will do” to his daughter. This scene did a good job of showing the level of panic and despair that was apparent in this town. Manzo begins to chase his daughter out of the house and down hills, while she desperately tries to break free of him.
I agree with Aaren and I did like the 1960s version more. I have become so accustomed to watching color films, so immediately I think that is one reason that I am more drawn to it. Also, the fact that it is english prevents the subtitles from taking away any of my attention from the action and screenplay. In the 1960s version the author uses music and sound effects more which I think adds more to the dramatic effect of the scene. There is lots of silence in the original version, which some people may prefer but to me it takes away from the purpose of the scene. I do think both of the scenes do share the sort of slow paced progression, but I liked the way that the arrogant “fighter” in the newer version provoked the other man by shooting him multiple times at the foot.
I definitely find myself drawn to the samurai’s as a whole group. I find it so interesting how they all have their different personalities and roles while dealing with various situations. Specifically, I have liked samurai Katsushiro the most so far. I believe that he is youngest of the seven samurai, and I think that is apparent through his role in the group. He always keeps up with the group and works hard, yet he also adds humor and innocence to the film. It is refreshing to have a character that seems different from the rest and I think that is why I am so drawn to him.
This conversation between Shichiroji and Kambei reveals a lot about the nature of the samurai and these men in specific. As we have seen in a couple other instances in this film, these men are dedicated to helping those in need. In this conversation, Kambei talks about how he knew his life was over during this battle, yet it did not phase him and he would do it all over again. They are loyal to helping these farmers that are starving and in despair. As Shichiroji agrees to go on this battle “leading to neither money nor rank” he is exemplifying how selfless this group is, and how without hesitation, he will risk his life to help others.
I definitely prefer today’s viewing over Monday’s viewing. The scene that has stayed with me is when Katsushiro, the young samurai, was laying in and playing with the flowers. It reminded me of the blind innocence at the beginning of Alice in Wonderland, where Alice lays in daisies right before she enters a crazy and shocking world, which leads her to question her ability to live in the world she created for herself. I believe this is what may happen to Katsushiro as well.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the scene from the original Seven Samurai because we are held in suspense until the very end. I could not even tell if the less-skilled swordsman was dead or not until he fell after an excruciatingly long pause. I do prefer the use of a throwing knife in the western because the knife won over the gun, rather than one sword merely beating another. However, I think the western scene happened to quickly, so the scene’s suspense quickly dissolved.
Katsushiro is by far my favorite character in the film, and I don’t even know why. I just think it is interesting to see his innocence juxtaposed to the brutality of what (I believe) is to happen.
The quoted scene seems to comment on the different approaches to living life. The samurai represent the exhilarating, yet brutal side to life, while the farmers and common people represent the more modest, yet arguably more fulfilling side to life. Kyuzo says, “With the steel blades, you'd die. It's a waste of your life.” I think this is powerful because it is like Kyuzo is admitting that being a samurai may or may not lead to his downfall, yet it is his choice. I think it is saying something along the lines of “Live by the blade, die by the blade.”
1. Today, the scene that stuck with my the most was when Kukuchiyo was hit on the head by the wooden stick and the chase that ensued. It felt very cartoonish, like a scene from an old Mickey Mouse. It was brief but provided a healthy chunk of lightheartedness before these men return to the village and possibly their deaths.
ReplyDelete2. I prefer the scene in the original. In the 1960 remake, the moment is unnecessarily glamorized with brass flares. While they may initially get the hearts of the audience pumping, they also cause the scene to lose the intensity. In the original, I felt the scene much more. Even though it’s only a small part of the film, the silence and slow motion really allowed me to connect with the gravity of the situation and the realization of what’s just happened. In addition, the silence and slow motion, in a way, treats the character’s death with respect. It’s not a spectacle to applaud but a loss tobie felt.
3. I find that I particularly appreciate Kukuchiyo. While I disliked him at first, his antics have grown on me, largely due to the fact that he serves a purpose beyond comedy relief. While he may be a jokester, he is truly there to fight and possibly die for the farmers. Even if his overall goal is something beyond the freedom of the farmers (potentially glory or respect), he has provided legitimate assistance so far, all the while adding humor to the film.
4. The scene represents the true nature of being a samurai. The life of a samurai is not about proving oneself and showing off in order to achieve glory. A samurai cannot be envious of another and he cannot be so foolish as to risk his life just to look tough. Kambei is an incredibly intelligent man, and when he sees the interaction, he knows the fight will go to the man who has nothing to prove.
1. What moment in today's viewing stayed with you—and why?
ReplyDeleteOne of the moments that really struck me today was the fight scene between the master swordsman Kyuzo and the other swordsman. It was a beautifully executed scene that kept me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed this moment mainly because of the epic feel that Kurosawa portrayed through it; he began the sequence with a long two shot of the two fighters, which then slowly progresses into intense full-body shots of each subject. The tension-building paired with the (for the lack of a better term, badass) conclusion of the fight made this scene one of the most enjoyable so far.
2. Look at the two scenes I posted above, one from the 1960 American western remake and the original. Which do you prefer and why?
I like both, but if I had to choose one scene, then I would choose Kurosawa’s scene. I feel that the overly dramatic music in the 1960 Western version undermined the feeling of awe from the fight scene. In Seven Samurai, Kyuzo’s final strike is followed by silence, which added an element of extreme tension to the scene; I was on the edge of my seat as I waited to see the outcome of the battle. However, I feel that I did not get this same feeling from the scene from The Magnificent Seven.
3. Leaving Kambei out of the discussion for a moment: which character in the film—samurai or farmer—do you find yourself drawn to. Why?
I believe that I am connected the most to Katsushiro, the youngest of the samurai. He is depicted as an inexperienced warrior who is extremely eager to prove himself on the battlefield. While I cannot relate to being a warrior, I can relate to wanting to prove myself. I can really appreciate Katsushiro’s determination and perseverance, even when he is not initially considered one of the seven samurai.
4. Finally: look at the two sections I quoted at the top of the page. 6th Period: look at the first quote—Kambei and Shichiroji: how does this moment help us understand what Seven Samurai is about? Quote from the section. Don't simply agree with each other—come up with your own answer and/or add to what others have said.
I believe that this quote depicts Seven Samurai as a film about life. More specifically, the movie may suggest that life without purpose is meaningless. When Shichiroji is first confronted with Kambei’s request, he agrees “without hesitation.” This answer was much more spirited than his description of “what ran through [his] mind” when he was going to die. Shichiroji may have been so adamant about agreeing to fight because he has a chance to fulfill his purpose as a samurai: a purpose that would have been robbed from him if he was dead.
ReplyDeleteOne moment that stuck with me as it has for others as well was the scene of the father cutting of his Daughters hair. The obvious anguish and struggle presented by the daughter was difficult to watch and showed the painful lengths the father went to to do what he thought was right to protect his daughter. I also think it touched on concepts of femininity in the village and how it is portrayed as dangerous and vulnerable in the culture of so much masculinity.
I thought it was interesting to see this scene portrayed in this western style but I definitely prefer the original. I think the original portrayed a lot more subtlety and more deep meaning from the samurais. The few words shared between them in the scene of mostly silence hold a lot of weight was also focusing on the tension built in this powerful fight scene.
I find myself drawn to the old man of the village because I really enjoy his nature of few words of wisdom that hold so much weight. One moment that emphasizes this is when the crowd parts and everyone is just waiting to hear what the old man has to say and he ends up just saying a few words but it is powerful all the same.
I think the quote of “Don't throw your life away.” shows how this film focuses on sacrifice but also on virtue. It does not paint reckless violence in a positive light but the calm, collected samurai who can think beyond just violence and into what is right and wrong.
The scene of Katsushiro and Shino among the flowers in the forest stuck with me as a particularly beautiful moment. As Katsushiro lays in the flower bed we are reminded of how young he is. The shot with Katsuhiro's face backed by the flowers, all in black and white, was striking to me. As Katsushiro pursued Shino through the flowered ground of the forest it seemed almost juvenile, the flowers downplaying the intensity of the moment.
ReplyDeleteI liked the original scene of Kyuzo's fight better, there's more meaning to it because there is more dialogue between the two. Maybe it's because I haven't watched the western so I don't know how the lead up to the fight goes, but it seems more isolated.
I feel particularly drawn to Yohei, the frail, older villager. He's an extremely sad character and accurately portrays japanese farmers at the time. The actor is amazingly capable of showing the emotions felt by someone in his position at the time. A particularly powerful moment for this character was when he was picking grains of stolen rice off the ground while crying, showing his desperation.
I think the scene between Kyuzo and the Tall Swordsman teaches us that as a Samurai, Kyuzo doesn't value violence for no reason. Kyuzo believes that losing your life in a silly duel would be a “waste”. Defending the village would be risking your life for the right reason, to protect the people. Seven Samurai is the journey the samurai take to die with purpose and having accomplished something instead of wasting their lives in duels.
1. The moment that stayed with me most from this viewing was the scene where Kikuchiyo tricked the villagers. As Jacob mentioned, the film begins to give Kikuchiyo a purpose in the seven samurai group, other than his primary purpose of comic relief. I really like how they use him for comedy in the film, as he is typically drunk or hostile in his demeanor. This means most of his manners or anything he says tends to be in an exaggerated manner. In this scene, the farmers of the village all came rushing in fear of the bandits, ironically pleading for help from the very samurai they feared just a moment earlier. This showed a negative but realistic side of the characters the audience is supposed to sympathize with, and I like that the director chooses to add this. But my favorite part was when Kikuchiyo justified his trick, as though he is not such a good person, what he did there was right.
ReplyDelete2. I prefer the original (though this answer is biased to the original because I’ve seen much more of that film than the newer one) because of the dialogue and character building established here, as mentioned before. In the newer movie, there was no conversation that showed the character of the shooter, while in the original there was(with commentary from Kambei as well). Also, I preferred a katana duel over a pistol match. As with others, I prefer Katsushiro as well. Mature as he may try to be, he is still a kid, and the film captures that youth when we see him go off into the forest, wandering off. He can’t help but take a moment to enjoy what’s around him, despite the serious matters coming ahead soon. Additionally, the scene where he gave the farmers money to buy the rice really showed he has a kind heart.
4. This scene shows the difference between a true samurai of honor, and those who are not true. Kambei and Kyuzo both know before swords have clashed that the other fighter is going to lose. Kyuzo does not want to fight him, because he already knows he will die. As Zoya has stated, true samurai only fight when necessary, not boasting of their abilities but honing them for when they are needed.
1. When Kyuzo ran into one of the village girls in the forest while he was admiring a flower. He gets angry because she isn’t training with the rest of the boys becasue he doesn’t realize she is a girl until he accident grabs her chest while he tries to pin her down for being a coward. This scene can set up a separate story of love while the village fights against the bandits. Kambie will have more to fight for than just a full stomach if he does develop feelings.
ReplyDelete2. I liked the American version better because it gets to the point faster because I feel like the awkwardness of the silence between the sword fight made me laugh and not see the seriousness in the fight. I thought that for a moment in the original that they were moving in slow motion. In the American version things go by to quick in my opinion but either way we got to the same point we saw that one of clearly more skilled than the other, and in the American version this is shown more with the blade vs gun.
3. The 7th samurai because he isn’t seen as one until they are at the village and they finally accept that he isn’t going anywhere. He is the funny person/ comic relief from all the seriousness in the movie. And some of his actions are weird like when he would go up to Kambei like he had a question but just stare. But he has been bringing laughs to the other samurai.
4. This quote shows that for Shichiroji that fighting is what he does and what brings meaning to his life. He takes on a task that brings no money or rank without hesitation showing hat fighting is what he does and he doesn’t care if it’s the last thing he does.
1. The moment that stuck with me was actually something that happened after Kukuchiyo sounded the false alarm. He was proudly strutting back and forth in front of the farmers remarking how their welcome was so barren yet as soon as the threat of bandits return, the farmers beg for the help of the samurai. Then there was a moment were the confused crowd split as the village elder made his way towards Kukuchiyo with an impressive poker face. Speaking very close to his face, Kukuchiyo asks the elder something along the lines of “got something to say grandpa?” To which the village elder (after a second of silence) replies, “Nope.” This was so memorable to me because I found it a humorous surprise that the wise and well-worded elder would respond with a single word such as ‘nope’ with a smile in his eyes. I think it also reflects the character of Kukuchiyo in the way that despite his amateur appearance and seemingly useless humour, there’s some part of him that either knows what he’s doing or is extremely lucky.
ReplyDelete2. I prefered the original because it truly shows the skill and calmness of the character. In the original, Kyuzo tries to persuade the eager opponent against a fight with steel swords and is very hesitant to draw his weapon. Even though Kambei described the situation as “preposterous” and that there was no chance the opponent could win, they used the same weapon and the test was truly skill. This makes the moment when Kyuzo cuts down his opponent with a quick, precise, and lethal blow even more impressive. On the other hand, in the remake, the master gunman seems almost arrogant. Yes he doesn’t immediately agree to the contest, but he is clearly taunting his opponent (whereas Kyuzo was being bluntly honest). And in the end, he brought a knife to a gunfight, an extremely unnecessary action.
3. I’m personally drawn to the character of Kyuzo because I’d like to get a better understanding of his motivation and past. I’m especially curious as to why he would join the fight to defend the farmers even though Kambei actually never got a chance to ask him to fight with them. I’m not sure whether much will be revealed about his past since he appears to be the strong and silent type, but his incredible skill makes me wonder how he learned how to fight, from who, and why. Essentially, I’m curious about the past of the mysterious character of Kyuzo.
4. I think that this quote reflects the blunt or unexpected humor within the film about the fatal danger and hardships many of the characters face. Specifically, when Shichiroji responds to Kambei’s question about what he felt in his near death experience and he responds with, “nothing much” in a dry, witty fashion, it can warrant laughter. Yet, upon second thought, it’s actually rather sad and actually existentialist statement. I believe this theme relates to the samurai’s lack of understanding of the true value of life. The way in which these samurai have agreed to help the farmers and risk their lives for no tangible reward other than possibly internal accomplishment, and how many of them seem to be fighting for the sake of fighting seem to further prove this point.
1.One scene that has stayed with me was the scene where the young samurai is walking through the forest picking flowers. I think this scene stayed with me because it shows how he is still a child, just as the older wiser samurai were saying. He still has the fairy tale mindset of a child. When he is laying in the flower bed, it makes him seem more vulnerable and adolescent, which is the opposite of what a samurai should be like. Throughout the rest of the movie, he has been acting more mature than he his because it is what is expected of him. When he is completely alone, he lets is inner child show.
ReplyDelete2. I prefer the 1960 version. I think this is mostly based off of the different paces. In the Kurosawa version, there is a lot of silence and anticipation for the second duel with the swords. Although this does build up the action more, I think the lengthy pause made me lose interest a bit. The way this scene was directed does connect it's the general way the rest of the movie though, so I understand why it was filmed this way. I find the newer version to be the appropriate length. This may be because I'm used to watching shows and movies that are faster paced, but I like how it wasn't dragged out too long. Also, I think the character in the western that wins the battle has more mystery around him, since he explains himself less than the wise samurai in the Original.
3. I found myself drawn to the young samurai. I think this is because it feels like he has more character development than some of the other characters. Also, the last scene with the girl started a new plot that I am interested to see where it goes or if it leads to a romance of some sort. I find myself wanting to know his story and I think the movie outs a lot of focus on him for a reason. Maybe he will do something heroic in battle or something of the sort.
4. I think this shows that the Seven Samurai is about living life not based on the reward you receive but how your actions help others. Kambei cleary states that there will be “neither money nor rank” associated with the the battle. When shichiroji agrees “without hesitation,” this proves that he does not focus on what he will get in return for his actions. All the samurai that fight for the farmers understand that they will get nothing out of the battle, yet they still agree to fight. This is because they are kind people who understand the farmers struggles and simply want to help out a town in danger.
1. The scene that stayed the most with me was the scene where Kikuchiyo drunkenly saunters into the barn where the rest of the samurai are sitting. He comes in with a very aggressive and imposing presence. However, all that air about him is cut down quickly when the rest of the samurai treat him as a joke and take his sword to mess with him. It turns out in his drunken state, he is nothing more than a pesky fly. The attitude of the samurai is something I found very interesting and important to the movie.
ReplyDelete2. I liked the Seven Samurai scene more. I did like how in the American version, the person who was playing the wise samurai who tries initially avoid the fight uses an unorthodox method of taking down his opponent. However, I feel as though the slower pace and angle of the camera in the Japanese version helped paint a more intense scene. The American scene seemed a like lackadaisical compared to the Japanese version.
3. I am drawn to Gorobei. He seems like a truly good natured character and one of the first samurai to join. One thing that stood out to me was when he was taking with Kambei and said that he found someone to recruit. He mentioned that he was an average fighter, but he was also a very funny kind person. He seemed more interested in finding good, reliable people rather than people who solely posses the skill to wield a sword.
4. The Seven Samurai seems to be about loyalty and honor. When Shichiroji agrees to help Kambei fight the bandits, he does so without hesitation. This means that he didn’t analyze the situation to weigh the pros and cons of the coming fight, he did it out of a sense of friendship with Kambei. When he says, “Nothing special” ran through his mind after the wall crumbled, that shows me that wasn’t focused on the negative predicament he was in. He was focused on continuing to fight with honor and to loyaly stand by his freinds to the end.
This is Yani. I used gmail so it comes up as “unknown”
Delete1)The moment when the young samurai was walking around smelling and picking flowers really stayed with me today. In a movie with heavy themes, filled with adults and real life problems, this was a very welcomed break of pure innocence. It really shows how young and inexperienced this samurai is. It is even followed by a scene where he mistakes a young woman for a man and demands to know why she isn’t fighting. He sees the world as black and white, and that is an interesting view to take on such a complicated situation.
ReplyDelete2) i could not view the video.
3) I really like the young samurai. Everyone else has seen what they wanted to and have truly lived, but this young man is just searching for somebody to learn from. He is childlike and eager and it is very refreshing to see. When he mistook the young woman for a man he seemed genuinely afraid and apologetic, he is not arrogant enough to believe that he cannot make mistakes. He is also very kindhearted. We see this when the farmer is picking up the rice and he gives him money to by some more. This young samurai still sees good in the world.
4) It shows that they are about discipline and honour. Kembei says “There is no contest,” showing that the young and angry samurai couldn't possibly win because he was letting his emotions get the better of him. The swordsman kept telling him not to sacrifice his life. He knew that he would win and was not arrogant enough to feel as though he had to prove it. The swordsman and Kembei knew that the tall samurai was too untrained and emotional to possibly win. Kembei saw this discipline in this swordsman and that is why he wanted him to join them, he believes that discipline is something of value.
this is lila, I accidentally used the wrong account to comment.
Delete1. The one moment that stuck out to me was the time that Kikuchiyo rang the bell to finally get the farmers out of their homes. It really shows that Kikuchiyo is very clever but devious. At first, he thought to be an embarrassment to the party, the laughing stock of the group. The rest of the group didn’t see any value in him because he is drunk yet he claims to be a Samurai. This point in the movie was very a much a point of redemption for Kikuchiyo.
ReplyDelete2. I personally like the Seven Samurai Version better because there is more honor in the character Kyuzo. Kyuzo tells his opponent the price that they will have to pay if they engage in actual steel bladed combat. In the magnificent seven scene, The Kyuzo characters merely replies “Ok” and they go at it. There is no honor, no compassion for the enemy from the Kyuzo character.
3. My favorite character is Heihachi, the funny Samurai who we find cutting wood. Heihachi has a certain charm to him, and his witty humor in every situation never fails to make me laugh. While Kikuchiyo is more of three stooges type character, Heihachi brings an intelligent humor to his party of Samurais.
4. Seven Samurai is about honor and dignity, and this clearly shows it. A Samurai has been to battle many times and has seen people die, so they know the value of life. If Kyūzō’s opponent wants to commence of a sword battle, it truly is “a waste of life” and Kyuzo informs his opponent this so the opponent knows the risks he is taking, making the battle more honorable.
1.The part that stayed with me the most was when the samurai just get to the village and everyone is in hiding. Kukuchiyo sounds the alarm, and the villagers come running to the samurai for protection. Although Kukuchiyo is shown as a brat, and what he did was rude, it did bring up a very good point. When people are in need they will do whatever it takes to save themselves. They are scared of the samurai, but when they think they might die, they are willing to go out and beg for their help.
ReplyDelete2. (I tried to open YouTube several times and it crashed on my iPad and phone. :( I think it’s down)
3. I’m drawn to Katsushiro because he obviously has a lot to learn, and is the least experienced of the group, but he has good intentions. All of them are fighting for no pay but Katsushiro gives money to the farmers for food. Although he is impolite towards them after, i think he is just concerned that someone will see. Since he is the young character, I’m interested to see how he grows during the movie.
4. Kyuzo is a very good swordsman and he does feel like he has to kill his opponent. He warned the tall swordsman that he would die and Kyuzo only fought when he had no other choice. He does kill the other for fun or use unnecessary force. Kyuzo is smaller than this opponent and I think this might be a foreshadowing to the smaller group of only 7 samurai and their defeat of the larger group of thieves by outwitting them and not using pure force
1. The moment that stayed with me in today’s viewing was when a father decides, because the samurai are coming, to cut his daughters hair and make her dress like a boy. It stuck with me because it was kind of hard to watch. The girl was screaming and trying to escape her father, and when another villager came to check on her and her father, she was crying in a corner with cut hair. It was a scene that really stuck with me.
ReplyDelete3. I find myself drawn to Katsushirō Okamoto because he is very eager to learn. He also, despite not really seeing him fight yet, seems underestimated. I also like that he respects the elder samurai’s while also making sure that he is not disrespected. He is also really young which makes me connect with him more since we are all pretty young.
4. The first quote helps us understand Seven Samurai because it shows who the samurai are as people, or it helps us understand how THESE samurai are as people. Schichiroji doesn’t even hesitate when asked to join a battle that is very difficult and doesn’t promise any reward but the reward of helping people. He just strait up says “yes”.
The scene where Kukichiyo sounds the alarm in order to humiliate the other villagers really stayed with me. Not only does this scene show the raw fear that the villagers live in (the panic on their faces and in their movements seemed truly genuine) but it also establishes Kukichiyo as more than a bumbling idiot: he is a valuable samurai too, even if he lacks the martial skill of the other Samurai. I think that tact and leadership can be just as important in battle, so perhaps Kukichiyo will come in handy after all.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Japanese version. It is shot as if we are watching the fighters from the crowd, and the death is not overdramatized with music or odd facial expressions. The arrogant swordsman bowls over, and he is immediately dead, just as it would be in real life.
Kukichiyo stood out to me, he clearly is a misfit, the other samurai mostly disregard him. In a way, I can sort of put myself in his shoes-er, sandals. He may not be super skilled, but he has the determination to keep up with the other six, and that really counts. In a movie where characters seem to be rigidly divided (Samurai, Farmers) he clearly stands out.
What struck me was when Kambei said “This is preposterous. No contest.” At first, I was thinking to myself ‘It seemed pretty close, I don’t know’ even though the arrogant guy was being a douche and clearly had it coming. However, Kambei’s comment makes it clear that there should be no tension in this scene: we know exactly who will win. It’s as if it was decided from the beginning—perhaps this has implications for the movie itself.
I particularly enjoyed the part of Seven Samurai in which Katsushiro is exploring the wooded area in the village. The character’s innocence is clear as he romps through fields of flowers, picking them as he goes, and relaxes near a babbling stream. This purity stands out against the mature and heavy plot of the rest of the film. It allows the audience to take a moment to simply bask in the sun with the young Katsushiro as he enjoys the flora around him. Furthermore, this moment reminds the audience that the character is still an innocent boy even though he is moving toward battle; something very adult. In short, I was charmed by the more childish side of Katsushiro.
ReplyDeleteI think the scenes from the two movies are considerably different. The one from The Magnificent Seven portrays the cunning and cleverness of the older character more than it shows skill. Not to say that just anyone can throw a knife like what is seen in this moment, but the focus of the scene isn’t the fact that he threw the knife well; it’s that he threw a knife at all. The scene from Seven Samurai solely illuminates Kyuzo’s prowess as a master swordsman. The older samurai shows patience, method, and skill more than cleverness in this moment. Overall, I was impressed by both scenes but enjoyed Kyuzo’s more because of my lack of connection with the characters from The Magnificent Seven.
The samurai I am most intrigued by is Kukuchiyo. I am not yet sure if I like his character or not, but am hoping to see him faced with a tough decision and am excited to see how he grows. What interests me most about him is his expressiveness through movement. Though all the characters seem to exaggerate in hand motions or facial expressions, Kukuchiyo is especially passionate in his movements. I think this is because he has a harder time verbally communicating as eloquently as the other characters, which makes me feel more empathetic toward him.
The conversation between Kambei and Shichiroji emphasize the samurai as role models; people who will aid others in need even if they don’t get a tangible reward. It also is slightly comedic in its brevity. After Kambei asks what was in Shichiroji’s mind when he thought he would die, the samurai responds, “Nothing special.” Such short, passive response is surprising to us, but Kambei is charmed, which highlights the samurais’ selflessness.
What moment in today's viewing stayed with you—and why?
ReplyDeleteI think the panic among the women in the village stuck with me today. It kind of shows how even a hundred years earlier, women were still on similar situations as we are currently. We still find ourselves sometimes having to take extra precautions around men we don't know.
2. Look at the two scenes I posted above, one from the 1960 American western remake and the original. Which do you prefer and why?
I like the clip from the seven samurai because of the quote “don't throw your life away.” I just think that quote is so powerful. It has so much meaning in 5 words. I think that this can also be tied back into million dollar baby and wit.
3. Leaving Kambei out of the discussion for a moment: which character in the film—samurai or farmer—do you find yourself drawn to. Why?
I think the old man who loses the rice. I think his facial expressions are interesting to watch. So far, I feel like we've never really seen him smile. He always looks scared and almost sad. I think his expressions represent the overall mood of the movie so far.
4. Finally: look at the two sections I quoted at the top of the page.
•5th Period: look at the second quote—Kyuzo, Kambei, and the Tall Swordsman: how does this moment help us understand what Seven Samurai is about? Quote from the section. Don't simply agree with each other—come up with your own answer and/or add to what others have said.
I think it shows the difference in the amount of control between the swordsman and Kyuzo. Kyuzo seems more secure in his abilities and the swordsman seems like he has something to prove. At the end of the day, we all know that Kyuzo has the training and that the swordsman doesn't, but perhaps the swordsman needs to find strength in himself or he needs to reassure himself that he is capable of having purpose in such difficult times. Maybe he's okay with throwing away his life, even if it's just for the chance of him finding that strength and purpose.
1. The scene that stuck with me most from today’s viewing the scene where Mr. Tsushima asks his daughter to cut her hair, and eventually forces her on the ground to forcibly cut her hair himself. That showed how much Mr. Tsushima truly feared for his daughter, and set the stage for the villagers reaction to the samurai coming. The whole experience was so traumatic to Shino, the audience felt her trauma as well, and that stuck with me.
ReplyDelete2. I prefer the original. It may just be because I saw the original first, and know that the 1960 scene was based off of it, therefore had to be changed a bit. I Liked the tension that the original film built of before the bamboo fight and before the steel fight, and the audience doesn’t get that with the remake.
3. I am drawn to Okamoto. He is just as new to the way of the samurai as the audience is. We as watchers are going along his journey of learning with him. It’s almost as if we see the the movie from his point of view. He is funny, and naive, and it’s interesting to watch him learn and grow throughout what we’ve seen so far.
4. This section reveals to us in arguably the most prominent way we’ve seen so far, that this movie is about honor. When one man’s honor is jeopardized, he is willing to die in attempt to earn it back. When Kambei says “This is preposterous. There's no contest.” he is right, and both samurai know that there really is no contest between them, but the losing fighter must die trying to prove himself since he has been ashamed by Kyuzo.
The moments that stuck out to me the most were the ones in which the man was forcing his daughter, Shino, to shave her hair so that the bandits would not take her. This was a powerful moment because it showed how truly futile the man believed that this fight against the bandits would be so hopeless, despite having met the samurai that would be coming to save them.
ReplyDeleteThe scenes from the film and the SNL skit were both comical, but I personally enjoyed the movie scenes more because I liked how it added to the mysterious character that some would call a buffoon. It complimented the rest of the story by introducing the one character they were missing personality wise. In a slow moving and mostly serious movie such as this one it is important to include some comic relief and the slapstick humor from Kukichiyo does the job well.
My favorite character in the film so far is a tie between Kukichiyo and Katsushiro. I like Katsushiro because he is so dedicated to improving and learning from Kambei to become a better samurai. Despite already being a samurai, Katsushiro is still humble enough that he would defy a classist system and give money to poor farmers who have just had their rice stolen. On the other side of the spectrum, is Kukichiyo who is the ignoramus of the group. He has been my favorite part of the film so far and he brings humor to the story as well as the desire to prove that he deserves to be a samurai.
This shows what the movie is about because of the way it depicts the samurai. They have nothing to gain from risking their lives to save a village and they still agree to help these people. The impression that Shichiroji gave when he was asked the question was that he would do it for honor instead of money.(This is Christian Lubsey
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ReplyDelete1. The scenes with Kikuchiyo in which he entertains the children because they find him hilarious really stuck with me because even though he can act like a moron, he still has compassion for the farmers. Despite the fact that he constantly makes fun of them and calls them idiots, it is clear that this is not how he truly thinks of farmers. I find it very interesting that Kikushiyo tries to act a certain way by making the farmers seem lesser than he is, but it is made clear to viewers that he is concealing his true feelings. Underneath his 'tough guy' front, I think he is really a kind and sensitive person.
ReplyDelete2. I prefer the original because it just feels more genuine. Maybe I just tend to prefer the original versions of movies over remakes, but something abut the cinematography in the original feels more real to me. Also, while the Western theme works for the plot of the film, it just doesn't feel as true to the story as the original.
3. I find Katsushiro very interesting for many reasons, and I would say that I am the most drawn to him out of the other characters in the film. He is young and innocent, but eager to learn from who he believes to be one of the greatest samurai he has ever seen. He is ambitious in this way, and though he wants to become a great and wise swordsman, he is torn between youth and duty. He wants to prove himself to Kambei and the others and show that he is worthy, but at the same time he is still a kid in a lot of ways. At the end of the viewing today, we saw Katsushiro go into the woods to pick flowers, but is reminded of his tasks when he meets Shino in the woods, believing her to be a boy and trying to train her. When he realizes she is a girl after accidentally toucher her breast, he is completely freaked out. This shows his innocence, yet in front of the other samurai, he tries to act as grown up as possible. I think a lot of young people can relate to Katsushiro because he wants to be treated like an adult but still enjoy being young.
4. I think this moment in the movie perfectly captures what it is about. Kyuzo gives the tall swordsman the chance to back down and save his own life. The seven samurai in this film are generally about honor and helping those in need. Kyuzo doesn't want to take the other samurai's life for no reason, and when he tells him, "its a waste of your life", he is giving him the chance to back down before it is too late.
(This is Regan)
A moment that stayed with me today was Kukchiyo’s rant about having empathy for the farmers. I knew that Kikuchiyo was deeper than just a clown and it was really interesting to see his emotional and caring side.
ReplyDeleteI liked both scenes, but the original version really shows the raw emotion that the remake does not. Also, I have seen so many scenes like that in classic western movies, but I am more interested in seeing how a duel between two men plays out in Japanese culture.
The two characters I am really drawn too are Kikuchiyo and Katsushiro. One reason I am drawn to them is because they are both very young, so I feel a connection in that way. Another reason is that they both clearly have interesting back story’s, Kikuchiyo is clearly filled with a lot of pain, and Katsushiro probably comes from a wealthy background, I just want to know more about them.
I think what is interesting is how Shichiroji answers Kambei’s questions. Shiciroji is usually a very funny and relaxed guy, but when asked serious questions he gives one word answers:
Sick of fighting yet? (Shichiroji doesn't answer) Truth is, there's a tough battle ahead leading to neither money nor rank. Will you join us?
S. (without hesitation) Yes.
This really gives us a glimpse into the life of a samurai. Honor is everything for samurai, so even if death is likely, and there is no reward, they may fight anyway. This movie is exploring universal human themes such as poverty and death, through the lens of the Samurai, an extreme society with a very different code from most other society’s.
1. The moment that stuck with me most from today's viewing has to be the encounter between Katsushiro and Keiko in the forest. This scene stuck out to me because it was a huge change of pace from the rest of the film, it suggested the beginnings of love story and the overall tone was completely removed from the hardships of the village. I really loved the setting of that beautiful blooming grove and the shot of Katsushiro lying down in the bed of flowers has really stuck with me.
ReplyDelete2. If I am being honest I prefer the scene from the magnificent seven. I have a love for westerns after having taken Jim’s Lit of the West class last year and culturally the scene resonates with me better. I found the scene to be more digestible for me as I am already familiar with the hotheaded western gunslinger trope and the pacing was more familiar and moved along quicker than in Seven Samurai.
3. The character I have found myself drawn to the most since the beginning of the film has to be Kikuchiyo. I absolutely love the humor and pure character he brings to the film through his dialogue and the way he toys with the villagers and the other samurai. I also find him aesthetically to be extremely appealing; I love the idea of the broken down warrior without a cause roaming the lands with nothing but his extremely cool long sword and some alcohol.
4. I think that this scene between Kyuzo and the tall Samurai is meant to illustrate to us the inherent dangers of indulging one’s ego. Kyuzo clearly knows from the beginning that he is going to win the fight by saying “If these (swords) were steel you’d be dead now” and yet he goes to the effort of trying to make this claim not about him disrespecting the other fighter, but more about stating the truth as it is. Kyuzo has no will to kill this man over this silly dispute, and is trying his absolute hardest to do whatever he can to prevent this man from allowing his ego to get himself killed. This, I believe, speaks to the nature of how a true samurai should behave, and further urges us as viewers to consider this within the contexts of our own lives.
Today’s 50 minutes were much more interesting I think because there was much more action. A scene that stuck with me was when the Samurai arrived at the village and were running around yelling the samurais have arrived and nothing happened. I don’t really know why this stayed with me but it brought some humor to the movie. The samurai were so confused while all the villagers had ran to hide.
ReplyDeleteI like the original version better because when Akira is fighting, everyone is watching in fear. The 1960 version was almost more intimidating, and made it more intriguing because I feel the black and white gives more suspense.
My favorite character so far is Kikuchiyo. I am drawn to his character because he is first rejected but then ends up in the group. Although he is drunk on their trip to the village he make the the scene feel less serious and all you can do is laugh at his actions.
The quote above shows us the true personality of Shichiroji and Kambei and their willingness to put others before themselves. They team up to go to the village to help other people and fight for their lives which takes a lot of courage. Although he saw his life ending he still fought his hardest for other no matter what.