Kurosawa’s samurai films and the Westerns that were inspired by them

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7 word format

document in English

film studies

presentation

published 21/11/2008

review : Completed

level : Advanced

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The films of Akira Kurosawa, from his adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays to his samurai films, have influenced filmmakers from the 1950’s to the present. This influence is most obvious in the Westerns that were adapted from his samurai films. In 1960 “Seven Samurai” (Kurosawa, 1954) was adapted into “The Magnificent Seven” (John Sturges, 1960). This was followed by the adaptation of “Yojimbo” (Kurosawa, 1961) into “A Fistful of Dollars” (Sergio Leone, 1964). Then in the 1990’s “Yojimbo” was adapted into “Last Man Standing” (Walter Hill, 1996). These adaptations raise an interesting question: Why do the Japanese samurai films of Akira Kurosawa lend themselves to being adapted into American Westerns? They are not identical films because the characters, settings, and genre conventions are extremely dissimilar. However, their connections are important. The films themselves are remarkably similar when one looks at the thematic conventions of heroic characters and action films. From the relation of cowboys and samurai to law and lawlessness, especially involving innocent people, one can draw a wide parallel between the two genres. The main differences lie in the general relation of the samurai and the cowboy to progress.

Introduction.
1. The films of Akira Kurosawa.
2. Adaptations.
3. The vast, untapped resources and land in the West.
Western towns.
1. One of the most powerful scenes of 'seven Samurai'.
2. Only one example of the lack of power in the law in 'Seven Samurai'.
3. The film 'Stagecoach'.
The lone hero type in Western films.
1. Similar to one found in samurai films.
2. He must live by more concrete ideals.
3. No admirable emotions.
'Seven Samurai' and 'The Magnificent Seven'.
A deceptively simple similarity between western and samurai films.
The invention of firearm.
Cowboys and Samurais.
Conclusion.