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The Hidden Fortress

1958·Movie
2h 19min
IMDb8.0Metacritic898.3Rotten Tomatoes96%92%

Where to watch

HBO MaxCriterionShout! Factory TVPlexTubi TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Hidden Fortress fingerprint

High energy, immersive world, light on feelings.

Energy

Thrilling and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace7
  • Spectacle7

Heart

Cathartic and nostalgic

  • Catharsis7
  • Nostalgia7
  • Hopefulness6

Humor

Some sharp wit and situational comedy

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Situational Comedy5
  • Physical Comedy4

World

History

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

  • Direction10
  • Acting9
  • Narrative Structure9

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and score

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography9
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition8

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

What you make of another's kindness is up to you.

In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.
Feudal Japan EpicMasterful DirectionClassic AdventureSamurai WarfareWitty DialogueGreed & HonorInfluential CinemaIconic CharactersPeriod DramaQuest Narrative

Crew

Directed by:
Akira Kurosawa, Masaji Nonagase, Yoshimitsu Banno
Written by:
Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Shinobu Hashimoto
Produced by:
Akira Kurosawa, Sanezumi Fujimoto
Composed by:
Masaru Satō

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Hidden Fortress

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Hidden Fortress legally?

HBO MaxCriterionShout! Factory TVPlexTubi TV

The Hidden Fortress is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, and Plex. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Hidden Fortress worth watching?

88
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 88/100 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 96%, and Metacritic 89). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Hidden Fortress rated?

Violence

Content advisories: violence.

How long is The Hidden Fortress?

2 h 19 min

The Hidden Fortress runs 2 h 19 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Hidden Fortress?

Critics93
Audiences85

Not quite. Critics rate The Hidden Fortress higher (93) than audiences (85). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Hidden Fortress in?

Japanese

It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.

In how many countries can I watch The Hidden Fortress?

18AUBGCACHDKESFIFRGBGGIEJPKRNO+4

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Hidden Fortress in 18 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Hidden Fortress use?

Genre RefugeeArtistic License – HistoryHeroic SacrificeIdiosyncratic WipesSay My NameMr. FanserviceBlood from the MouthPose of SupplicationWhip of DominanceScreams Like a Little GirlHollywood DarknessNo Honor Among Thievesand 87 more

TV Tropes lists 99 storytelling tropes for The Hidden Fortress, including Genre Refugee, Artistic License – History, Heroic Sacrifice.