Kurosawa Films

Rashomon (1950)
One murder, three characters, four very different versions. Kurosawa's investigation of trustworthiness and subjectivity with marvelous performances by Toshiro Mifune and Machiko Kyo.

Ikiru (1952)
Student paper about Kurosawa's meditation on life and death.

The Seven Samurai (1954)
Bright Lights Film Journal Gary Morris reviews this undying classic that would be remade as "The Magnificent Seven."

Throne of Blood (1957)
Kurosawa's "Macbeth." Film Unlimited says: "possibly the finest Shakespearean adaptation ever committed to the screen."

The Hidden Fortress (1958)
This film inspired the plot of "Star Wars."

Yojimbo (1961)
This darkly funny samurai tale has been remade as a spaghetti western. Read my review, then hop on to more resources about this accessible and highly entertaining film.

Ran (1985)
Salon review of the opulent King Lear adaptation.

Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (1990)
The IMDb page links to reviews, production notes and more.

Rhapsody in August (1991)
Review of the master's penultimate film about the bombing of Nagasaki.

Madadayo (1993)
AK's thirtieth and last film.