I need to admit upfront that my attention tends to wander easily, and I never imagined I’d enjoy films with subtitles; however, this movie moves along at such a brisk pace, filled with so much action, that it's hard to believe anyone could fail to be captivated by every moment. It really takes a lot to keep me engaged. For those who haven't heard, these "magnificent seven samurai," as it were, are recruited individually to help a village under threat from 40 bandits. A detail that’s frequently overlooked is the fact that the story centers on “Four villagers.” Two of them are elders (though not quite as elderly as the man they seek guidance from). One, Manzo, embodies the cautious viewpoint that in today's world might be considered "Republican," while the other, Mosuke, represents a more progressive or "Democrat" stance. The remaining pair are Yohei, a fearful individual who believes Manzo’s approach will offer him safety; and Rikiki, the most courageous of the villagers, who aligns himself with Mosuke's ideas. As the film unfolds, Rikiki might even be considered the “eighth samurai.” There are numerous engaging side stories and plenty of thrills, even during scenes without overt action, so there isn’t a single boring stretch. The samurai themselves have their own individual arcs as well. Toshiro Mifune isn't in charge, but he is the heart of the film; he shares qualities with Rikiki. There's humor woven throughout at just the right moments, alongside genuine sadness. I consider it Kurosawa’s finest work, and he’s rightly regarded as one of cinema’s most important directors.

Source on TMDB