Akira Kurosawa

The career of acclaimed filmmaker Akira Kurosawa spanned more than five decades, during which he directed more than thirty movies, many of them indisputable classics: Rashomon, Ikiru, Seven Samurai, The Hidden Fortress, Throne of Blood, and Yojimbo, among others. During the height of his creative output, Kurosawa became one of the most influential and well-known directors in the world, inspiring filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and movies such as The Magnificent Seven; The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; and Star Wars. In Akira Kurosawa: A Viewers Guide, Eric San Juan provides a comprehensive yet accessible examination of the artists entire cinematic endeavors. From early films of the 1940s such as Sanshiro Sugata and No Regrets for Our Youth to Oscar winner Dersu Uzalathe author helps readers understand what makes Kurosawas work so powerful. Each discussion includes a brief synopsis of the film, an engaging analysis, and thoughtful insights into the films significance. All of Kurosawas works, from 1943 to 1993, are analyzed here, including the overlooked television documentary Song of the Horse, produced in 1970. In addition to more than twenty photos, Akira Kurosawa: A Viewers Guide provides rich discussions that will appeal to students of cinema as well as anyone who wants to learn more about Japans greatest director.