Hidden Fortress (1958) DVD

Winner of the Best Director Award at the 1959 Berlin Film Festival, this film is regarded by many to be one of Akira Kurosawa's finest and has been acknowledged by George Lucas as the principle inspiration for 'Star Wars'. Set in 16th century Japan, the story centres on rival clans, hidden gold and a princess in distress. Tahei (Minoru Chaiki) and Matashichi (Kamatari Fujiwara) are two cowardly soldiers on the run from an advancing enemy army. As they search the country for a cache of secret gold, they join forces with Rokurota Makabe (Toshiro Mifune), a samurai warrior who is escorting a fiesty princess (Misa Uehara) through enemy territory. The mismatched travellers then have to fight a number of battles before they finally come within sight of their goal.