The Hidden Fortress (DVD)

Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress was the inspiration for Star Wars. In fact George Lucas is interviewed for the special features of this BFI DVD release of this classic film.

A story of rival clans, hidden gold, and a princess in distress, The Hidden Fortress is a thrilling blend of fairy tale and samurai action. It was Kurosawa's first film shot in the widescreen process of Tohoscope, and he exploited this to the full in the film's rich variety of landscape locations, including the slopes of Mount Fuji.

The film became the director's biggest box office hit of his career to date and won several major international awards, including the Golden Bear at the 1959 Berlin Film Festival.

The cast consists of long-term Kurosawa collaborator, Toshiro Mifune.

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Misa Uehara, Minoru Chiaki, Masaru Sato

Genre: Action adventure

Language: Japanese (with English subtitles)

Country: Japan

Year: 1958

Runtime: 138 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Audio: PCM mono audio (320kpbs)

Region: 2

Special Features:

• Digitally remastered in High Definition
• Interview with director George Lucas (2001, 8 mins)
• Original Japanese theatrical trailer
• Sleeve notes by film historian and critic Philip Kemp