The Best Films You've Never Seen: Seven Samurai

The Best Films You've Never Seen series returns in 2025 with Akira Kurosawa's 1954 watershed epic 'Seven Samurai'.

Image credit: still from 'Seven Samurai' (1954), courtesy Madman Entertainment.

Set in sixteenth-century Japan, the film tells the story of a village of farmers who hire seven samurai (ronin) to protect and combat invading bandits from stealing their crops. This three-hour ride from Akira Kurosawa seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, human emotions, action, and poetic violence, into an unforgettable tale of courage and hope.

'Seven Samurai' debuted in Sight and Sound's 2022 Greatest Films of All Time list at number 20, long revered by cinephiles, filmmakers and artists inspiring Hollywood westerns like John Sturges' 1960 classic 'The Magnificent Seven', George Lucas's original 'Star Wars' trilogy and was a major influence of the Wu-Tang Clan's conceptual cannon.

This screening will open with an introduction from RMIT Cinema Studies academic Dr Stephen Gaunson, who will explore the films cultural legacy and discuss 'Seven Samurai's' role as a technical and creative milestone that not only became Japan's highest-grossing film but also set a new benchmark for the international industry.


Presented by RMIT Culture in partnership with RMIT Cinema Studies.

 

Rating: PG

Language: Japanese (English subtitles)

Country: Japan

Year: 1954

Duration: 203mins

Format: DCP B&W

Share

Upcoming events

game-event-reference-1220x732.jpg

Monthly RMIT Games Day

Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 25 May 2025 - 14 Dec 2025
Icon / Small / Location Created with Sketch. RMIT City campus

RMIT are back for RMIT Games Day 2025 tournaments!

interpreter-scholarship-program-1220x732.jpg

2026 Interpreter Scholarship Program information session

Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 14 Nov 2025 - 11 Dec 2025

Join our Interpreter Scholarship Program information session to learn how we can support your journey to becoming a qualified interpreter in Victoria.

indy-johar-1220x732.jpg

Indy Johar: How we come together to reimagine the world

Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 10 Dec 2025

Join London-based architect and social entrepreneur Indy Johar at The Capitol for an evening exploring how care, community and civic innovation can drive systemic change.

aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information