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MTDb › Best of › 1954 › Seven Samurai

Seven Samurai poster

Seven Samurai (1954)

“Unmatched for suspense and spectacle!”

8.5/10 · 4,383 votes 3h 27m nr ActionDrama

#1 of 12 films from 1954 #7 of 2168 in action

Directed by Akira Kurosawa · Written by Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.

Cast

Toshirō Mifuneas Kikuchiyo
Takashi Shimuraas Kambei Shimada
Yoshio Inabaas Gorobei Katayama
Seiji Miyaguchias Kyuzo
Minoru Chiakias Heihachi Hayashida
Daisuke Katōas Shichiroji
Isao Kimuraas Katsushiro Okamoto
Keiko Tsushimaas Shino
Yukiko Shimazakias Rikichi's Wife
Kamatari Fujiwaraas Manzô - Father of Shino
Yoshio Kosugias Mosuke
Bokuzen Hidarias Yohei
Yoshio Tsuchiyaas Rikichi
Kokuten Kōdōas Gisaku, the Old Man

Facts

Release dateApril 26, 1954
Runtime207 min (3h 27m) — longer as the 1954 average of 113 min
GenresAction, Drama
Original title七人の侍
LanguageJA
Budget$2,000,000
Box office$105,000,000 (52.5× budget)
IMDbtt0047478

More from Akira Kurosawa

High and LowHigh and Low1963 · ★ 8.4 · 2h 22m IkiruIkiru1952 · ★ 8.3 · 2h 23m YojimboYojimbo1961 · ★ 8.1 · 1h 50m The Hidden FortressThe Hidden Fortress1958 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 19m RashomonRashomon1950 · ★ 8.0 · 1h 28m RanRan1985 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 40m SanjuroSanjuro1962 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 36m Throne of BloodThrone of Blood1957 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 48m

If you liked Seven Samurai

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

HarakiriHarakiri1962 · ★ 8.4 · 2h 15m The Hidden FortressThe Hidden Fortress1958 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 19m SanjuroSanjuro1962 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 36m Ben-HurBen-Hur1959 · ★ 7.9 · 3h 32m The Longest DayThe Longest Day1962 · ★ 7.6 · 2h 58m The Guns of NavaroneThe Guns of Navarone1961 · ★ 7.3 · 2h 40m 12 Angry Men12 Angry Men1957 · ★ 8.6 · 1h 37m It's a Wonderful LifeIt's a Wonderful Life1946 · ★ 8.3 · 2h 11m

Questions

How long is Seven Samurai?
Seven Samurai runs 207 minutes (3h 27m), which is long for a action — plan for it.
Is Seven Samurai worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8.5/10 across 4,383 votes, which places it #1 of 12 films released in 1954 in this index (top 100%) and #7 among 2168 action titles.
Who directed Seven Samurai?
Seven Samurai was directed by Akira Kurosawa. Other well-rated titles by the same director: High and Low (1963), Ikiru (1952), Yojimbo (1961).
Who stars in Seven Samurai?
Toshirō Mifune as Kikuchiyo; Takashi Shimura as Kambei Shimada; Yoshio Inaba as Gorobei Katayama; Seiji Miyaguchi as Kyuzo; Minoru Chiaki as Heihachi Hayashida; Daisuke Katō as Shichiroji.
What is Seven Samurai rated?
It carries a nr certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Seven Samurai?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/440.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.