Kakushi-toride no san-akunin

The title of this post is the Japanese name for Kurosawa's favorite film Hidden Fortress. It's my favorite film of his also. It's the most life affirming of all his efforts. In the chaos of ancient Japan, the Akizuki clan has been destroyed. All that remains is the Akizuki princess and her legendary general, Rokurota Makabe. Their goal: to sneak the clan's gold to safe territory and rebuild.

Unfortunately, their gold is discovered by two bickering, greedy peasants (who inspired Lucas to create R2-D2 and C-3PO in their mold). But the pair are so greedy they agree to help transport the gold thinking they will take an equal share. But notice of their escape is spread across the territory, bringing a series of constant brushes with capture.

For the Princess, it's an education of the underbelly of the world. Disguised as a peasant, she sees first hand the day to day suffering of fuedal life. But she also shares their joys as in the great Yamana fire festival, dancing around the great fire and singing the ritual song:

"Kindle your life and burn it away,
Live with all of your might.
Kindle a blaze in this dark world,
For life's dream lasts but one night."

This motley crew bonds together against all odds. But they are trapped in enemy land and the noose grows tighter. The dreaded sound of the conch shell signals the arrival of pursuing troops. Gunfire comes in from all angles when at last, they make it to the border of safe ground - only to be captured by waiting samurai.

But it is the Princess that is the soul of this film. After surviving all the close scrapes and being dragged through a world so completely foreign to her, she finally faced death. But in this, she was not defeated. Her fearless general Rokurota begged forgiveness for his failure to deliver her to safety. But this was her reply:
"I am happy to die! I have enjoyed a happiness which I could have never have known in the castle. I have seen people in their true form, both beauty and ugliness with my own eyes. I thank you, Rokurota. Now I may die without regret."