the Seven Samurai and the magnificent seven

There are some parallels and variations between the Magnificent Seven and the Seven Samurai. Furthermore, The Glorious Seven was influenced by the Seven Samurai, and it served as a kind of homage to the Seven Samurai. First and foremost, there are significant variations between the two films; the Magnificent Seven was shot in a small town in Texas and Mexico, just across the border from each other. The Seven Samurai, on the other hand, was shot in black and white in a small town in Japan where the villagers were fishermen. However, there exist the biggest similarity in the plot of Samurai Seven and the Magnificent Seven. As such, both directors, Antoine Fuqua and Akira Kuroswa, show that there are village/town farmers that were often pushed around or getting raided by remorseless bandits in need of food. After a long period, the villagers got extremely agitated with the bandits; this pushed them to seek advice from the most prominent person of the village. In the Magnificent Seven, deep in the Mexican village, they asked the wise old man who resides adjacent to the village for a possible solution. Whereas in the Samurai Seven, they approached the "Grandfather" what they could do. The old man then advised them to go into town, the main area, to find Samurai Seven.

In both scenes, the directors, show us oppression of the people, helpless village farmers. The director of the Magnificent Seven, Antoine Fuqua portrays that old people in the village are very vital in giving wise counsel in times of oppression. In fact, the villagers look into them with a lot of hope for counsel and solutions to their problems. On the other hand, Seven Samurai villagers sought the help from an elder in the village, who then advise them to find Samurai Seven. Here the director develops the plot by showing us the importance of the elderly in the society. We should treat them well since when it comes to making a crucial decision, then they come in handy. The scene advances the plot by telling us that, when we have a problem in the community, in this case, oppression by remorseless bandits, then it is prudent to come together and seek a solution.

The scene influences the development of the characters by fostering unity among people in the society. In the Samurai Seven, the "Grandfather" advises them to find Samurai Seven. This decision humbles other characters by making them have a broader view of one another. In difficult times, we need the effort of every individual. As such, the director fosters for unity and valuing of each and everyone's effort in difficult times. In the Magnificent Seven, the director implies that respect for the elderly is very important in the society. Furthermore, the characters learned that unity among them is the key to getting out of oppression. Thus, the scene inculcates humility and respect among villagers which is a fundamental requirement for peace and development.

The camera shots in both films are on a completely opposite scale. The director of Samurai Seven, Akira Kuroswa, likes to focus on people. It is evident that everyone in his thought is thought out and pre-planned, with the influence of other shots and audience in mind. The Seven Samurai incorporate a bunch of intimate, intense shots, putting the scene and shots to the front of the film which makes sure that we remember every aspect of the scene. Most importantly, the shooting of the scene pulls the viewers into the film which enables one to feel and be part of the cast by understanding and realizing the importance of the scene. Conversely, the shooting of the Magnificent Seven scene appeared offshoot, making us not fully connect with the emotions required for the scene.

The scene of the Seven Samurai is shot at an angle to appeal to the emotions of the viewers aiming at creating shadows effects. The film incorporates exclusive Japanese culture of combing many plot elements. It embraces classically popular narrative format which is identical to Japanese producers. Furthermore, shooting the film in black and white advances the shadow effect that is more appealing and very emotional way. It is more noticeable that the director mainly focuses on what is going on, prompting cutting of other stories which does not help the film along its plot development. In particular, Akira Kuroswa quickly cuts some instances of the scene, making sure that the setting and story line remains intact. On the other hand, the cameraman of the Magnificent Seven takes lots of amateur shots that does not focus on the actions and emotions of the scene. The shooting is quite agitating since cutting is delayed making some aspects boring and the viewers losing emotional touch with the film.

Seven Samurai has many close-ups, the cameraman shoots clear, intimate pictures that are appealing to the viewers' emotions even though it is in black and white. Akira Kuroswa constantly uses deep focus which follows real-time actions in the foreground, background, and the middle ground. Often he delineates the distance with barriers. For example, the camera often avoids some cuts when making comparisons as he begins dialogues in a close-up. Akira sweeps the room with the camera then ultimately ends up on a close-up of another cast who was part of the dialogue team. In other instances, the shots enable us to see slight differences in the fabrics of the costumes, where outsiders may see them as normal but to the villagers, they are very significant and respectable. As such, the director is very much interested in every detail of the film, taking the time to solidify the plot. When the cameraman focuses on the costumes, he or she appeals to the viewers to notice the differences between the villagers and the elders. And thus fostering respect between generations. On the Magnificent Seven, there is no much close-up since the film is shot in color. The director is not keen in with the fine details of the villagers. The only agenda the director and the cameraman is to advance the plot of the film. Therefore, significant differences exist between the Seven Samurai and the Magnificent Seven. Overall, the scene cut and close-up of Seven Samurai is very effective in enhancing the plot development which is intact and easy to identify with. In contrast, the scene cut and close-up seemed ordinary but equally contributed to the development of the plot.