What is the Japanese film that Star Wars took alot of influence from?

Answer 1

Shichinin Samurai - The Seven Samurai

Answer 2

Just to clarify, although Lucas did take a lot of influence from Kurosawa's films in general, the answer directly above me is correct in stating that the most accurate parallel is made with The Hidden Fortress. It has a princess in flight (the equivalent of Leia), a samurai general protecting her (Luke), and two bumbling sidekicks (C3PO and R2D2).

In addition, some of the film techniques, such as the horizontal wipe, were taken straight from some of Kurosawa's 50's era samurai films, like Seven Samurai and The Hidden Fortress.

Seven Samurai was more directly copied by the American western The Magnificent Seven.

Answer 3

It's no question that George Lucas is a HUGE Kurosawa fan. In fact he does commentary on the Kurosawa DVD box set. The idea of the jedi came from Seven Samurai, but if you watch Hidden Fortress, you'll see the similarities to Episode IV. The two bumbling idiots on the road to the village are transformed into C3PO and R2D2. In fact, some of the dialogue is the same. The rogue samurai that takes them in could be seen as Kenobi or Luke.

Answer 4

The film George Lucas took the most from was Akira Kurosawa movie, the hidden fortress 1958. as far as i can remember r2d2 and c3po are carbon copies of identical characters, peasants i think with the same chemistry as our droids. there are a LOT of similarities between both movies.

Answer 5

The Seven Samurai, I think.

The wikipedia article on Philosophy and religion in Star Wars says that the Jedi were based on the Samurai code of honour Bushido.

3rd link has more stuff on kurosawa, the director, relating to the later star wars films based on other kurosawa films.

Answer 6

it derived from kakushi toride no san akunin (1958) the hidden fortress by akira kurosawa

Answer 7

the 7 samurai.