That fight is a great example of how to nail the Hero vs. The choreography in the swordfight holds up against most of The Seven Samurai's fight scenes, and it still tops the type of fights that have become tedious and repetitive in modern day movies. The chase scene that leads into The General's encounter with his nemesis remains one of the best sequences Kurosawa ever Directed. I think the action it has is more than enough. Some people have said this movie needed more action.
These aren't characteristics that would normally be used for heroes, but Kurosawa makes them likeable to the audience. The story is told from their point of view, and they are essentially heroes, yet they do nothing but complain. They are primarily used for a laugh, but I thought there characters were unique as well. The peasant characters of Tahei and Matakishi are more than comic relief. In this she's quiet for most of the movie, but then she'll come out of nowhere and show more power and confidence than The General. In any American or British film of the 50s, she would have been nothing more than that. After a proposed pipeline creates divisions within the small town of Beaverfield, and a snowstorm traps its residents together inside the local inn, newly arrived forest ranger FINN. The Princess is not a damsel in distress. I love how Kurosawa plays the characters as well.
Without even saying a word he has your full attention. What Mifune offers in Hidden Fortress is true screen presence. Toshiro Mifune gives a much more toned down and subtle performance than we normally see from him. The rock slide provided for some real amusement. Even though there's a lot of comedy, mostly provided by the peasants, The Hidden Fortress still has all the power and uniqueness that all Kurosawa films have. So for those who may have found other Kurosawa films to be too deep and poetic (if this applies to you, you're a fool) you'll be more likely to enjoy this. It's almost the most mainstream and entertaining. The Hidden Fortress is the Kurosawa film with the lightest tone.