Originally Posted by longbough

Each character in Seven Samurai has a powerful personal story worthy of an entire film - and the film covers just about every aspect of the human condition (except birth) - love, regret, loyalty, youth, growth, wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, passion, folly, discipline, honor, vengance, sacrifice, joy, humor, dispair, hope ....

You can say the same about other films ... but whether or not it's done convincingly is probably a matter of personal taste. Seven Samurai does this more effectively than almost every other film to my memory.

Maybe it's because the themes aren't shoved down your throat or embarassingly overplayed with a symphonic underscore. Seven Samurai just tells the story ... and the themes you infer from watching the stories unfold. That's the best way I can describe it.

Most folks used to the Hollywood-style of directing might get thrown by the slow expositional pace at the beginning. But if you relax and watch uninterrupted from beginning to end (best in a theater) the 3 and a half hours just flies by. If you expect an obvious singular dramatic arc punctuated by emotional cues from the musical score you'll probably be somewhat disoriented.

And the editing is very economic. There is hardly a wasted moment. The pace of events is actually quite rapid and a lot of story is told in a small amount of time .... and since this is a 3 and a half hour film it plays out like a grand epic (which it is).

For me the measure of a great film is one that you can, on subsequent viewings, find new things, understand relationships better or just enjoy from a visceral or emotional level as much as the first time .... Seven Samurai works for me. So does Casablanca and It's a Wonderful Life.

But if you didn't get into the characters, stories or exposition the first time then I probably can't change your mind. Maybe it's a "guy" thing.