The Seven Samurai has more of these moments than any other movie that come to mind.
Many of these scenes have power only after you've seen the film before. Here are just a few of my favorite but there are more.
1. When Kambei shaves his head to rescue a child. How the symbolism foreshadows future events gets me as well as that instant he first makes eye contact with Kikuchiyo.
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/203405/Seven-Samurai-The-Movie-Clip-I-m-Just-A-Monk.html
2. When Kambei bumps into his old comrade in arms, Shichiroji. They both reminisce about how they escaped their last battle and were relieved to be alive.
Kambei suddenly asks Shichiroji if he wants to go to war again but this time just for meals and the fun of it. He barely finishes speaking when Shichiroji agrees with instant conviction and loyalty. When Kambei says they might die this time Shichiroji only smiles.
3. The Duel scene.
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/203402/Seven-Samurai-The-Movie-Clip-Don-t-Waste-Your-Life.html
4. This heartbreaking moment which frames the tortured historical relationship between the Samurai and the Farmers. Kikuchiyo, we discover, is the son of farmers and unknowingly becomes the spiritual bond between the two classes.
5. When a fleeing peasant mother hands off her child to Kikuchiyo before she dies. Kikuchiyo is stunned - he, too, was orphaned this way and is seeing his past play out in front of him. He sees the baby’s future as his own life and collapses embracing the child in pain for both himself and the crying motherless baby.
6. At Heihachi's funeral morale is collapsing. The thrill of conflict gives rise to their inevitable confrontation of death. Suddenly Kikuchiyo gets up and grabs their improvised banner and, in defiance, climbs a rooftop and posts it. Everyone in mourning sees the flag just as the bandits on horseback come riding in the distance to attack.
7. When the war is over. Kambei and Shichiroji realize the tragic irony that, as in the past, they are the survivors.
8. The final shot of the film.
Many of these scenes have power only after you've seen the film before. Here are just a few of my favorite but there are more.
1. When Kambei shaves his head to rescue a child. How the symbolism foreshadows future events gets me as well as that instant he first makes eye contact with Kikuchiyo.
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/203405/Seven-Samurai-The-Movie-Clip-I-m-Just-A-Monk.html
2. When Kambei bumps into his old comrade in arms, Shichiroji. They both reminisce about how they escaped their last battle and were relieved to be alive.
Kambei suddenly asks Shichiroji if he wants to go to war again but this time just for meals and the fun of it. He barely finishes speaking when Shichiroji agrees with instant conviction and loyalty. When Kambei says they might die this time Shichiroji only smiles.
3. The Duel scene.
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/203402/Seven-Samurai-The-Movie-Clip-Don-t-Waste-Your-Life.html
4. This heartbreaking moment which frames the tortured historical relationship between the Samurai and the Farmers. Kikuchiyo, we discover, is the son of farmers and unknowingly becomes the spiritual bond between the two classes.
5. When a fleeing peasant mother hands off her child to Kikuchiyo before she dies. Kikuchiyo is stunned - he, too, was orphaned this way and is seeing his past play out in front of him. He sees the baby’s future as his own life and collapses embracing the child in pain for both himself and the crying motherless baby.
6. At Heihachi's funeral morale is collapsing. The thrill of conflict gives rise to their inevitable confrontation of death. Suddenly Kikuchiyo gets up and grabs their improvised banner and, in defiance, climbs a rooftop and posts it. Everyone in mourning sees the flag just as the bandits on horseback come riding in the distance to attack.
7. When the war is over. Kambei and Shichiroji realize the tragic irony that, as in the past, they are the survivors.
8. The final shot of the film.
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