The Hidden Fortress with English, Italian, Portuguese and Russian subtitles
is a 1958 Japanese adventure film directed by Akira Kurosawa.
In war-torn feudal Japan, two bumbling, self-serving peasants on the run from battle discover a hidden mountain fortress—and a secret that could cost them their lives. Unbeknownst to them, their reluctant guide is a general in disguise, sworn to protect a spirited princess and smuggle her—and her clan’s treasure—across enemy territory. What begins as a fool’s errand turns into a perilous journey through betrayal, loyalty, and the blurred lines between greed and honor.
George Lucas has openly cited The Hidden Fortress as a major influence on Star Wars (1977), especially in how the story is told through the eyes of two lowly characters—mirrored by R2-D2 and C-3PO.
It was Akira Kurosawa’s first film shot in TohoScope, Japan’s answer to CinemaScope. He used the widescreen format innovatively, especially in the long tracking shots and action scenes.
Princess Yuki, played by Misa Uehara, broke the mold of passive female characters in Japanese cinema. Her fierce independence and commanding presence were rare for the era.
Despite its experimental nature, the film was a commercial hit and helped solidify Kurosawa’s reputation as a filmmaker who could blend art with mainstream appeal.
