# Seven Samurai (1954) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/seven-samurai-1954/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 93% |
| Editorial Rating | 97/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 97% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 98/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.6/5 |
| IMDb | 8.6/10 |
| Director | Akira Kurosawa |
| Genres | Action, Drama |
| Runtime | 207 min |
| Festival premiere | Venice 1954 (Silver Lion) |

## Quick answer

Seven Samurai (1954) earns a 93% Celluloid Score — Celluloid Pick. Kurosawa's epic template for action cinema remains unmatched in scope, character, and editing rhythm. Metascore 98/100. Directed by Akira Kurosawa.

## Celluloid verdict

Kurosawa's epic template for action cinema remains unmatched in scope, character, and editing rhythm.

## Synopsis

Farmers hire seven ronin to defend their village from bandits in feudal Japan, forging tactics, sacrifice, and unlikely solidarity.

## Cast

Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima

## Accolades

Premiered at Venice 1954, where it won the Silver Lion.

## Where to watch

Global: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel
the United States: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel
the United Kingdom: BFI Player
South Korea: not currently streaming
Japan: U-NEXT

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is Seven Samurai worth watching?**
Seven Samurai holds a 93% Celluloid Score. Kurosawa's epic template for action cinema remains unmatched in scope, character, and editing rhythm.

**What is Seven Samurai about?**
Farmers hire seven ronin to defend their village from bandits in feudal Japan, forging tactics, sacrifice, and unlikely solidarity.

**Who directed Seven Samurai?**
Seven Samurai (1954) was directed by Akira Kurosawa.

**What is the Celluloid Score of Seven Samurai?**
93% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (97/100), Metascore (98/100), Letterboxd (4.6/5), and IMDb (8.6/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**Where can I watch Seven Samurai?**
Seven Samurai is streaming on HBO Max, The Criterion Channel; on HBO Max, The Criterion Channel in the United States; on BFI Player in the United Kingdom; on U-NEXT in Japan. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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