Scandal (1950)

A rising painter becomes entangled in scandal after a chance encounter with a famed singer in the mountains is discovered by a magazine reporter. This film is a rebuke of the "right to know" argument the media uses to rationalize their trampling of the private lives of people.

Rashomon (1950)

The novel, Yabu No Naka by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, is creatively depicted on the screen in this Kurosawa film. It focuses on the principle characters who narrate conflicting versions of a single incident colored by their individual perceptions and personalities. The film artfully examines the virtues and vices of human beings.

The Idiot (1951)

This is a film version of the novel, The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and author highly regarded by Kurosawa. His passion to remain faithful to the novel made the film so long that he was requested by company officials to shorten the film. Kurosawa responded with a now famous remark telling the company to physically cut the film, not the story, if they really desired it shortened.

Ikiru (1952)

A civil servant working as Citizens Section chief in a city office, having labored for thirty years without purpose or satisfaction realizes he has been stricken with cancer. He dedicates his remaining anguished days in construction of a small park. Kurosawa gently emphasizes the meaning of life through the soul of a man who is facing death.

Seven Samurai (1954)

Out of his many distinguished releases, this legendary masterpiece has not only moved countless audiences but has also greatly influenced the film industry around the world. Kurosawa's innovative technique of using multiple cameras was first used in the making of this film. The film tells the story of seven samurai summoned to protect a village and its inhabitants from bandits. The strong personal traits of each of the samurai are elaborately depicted, gripping the attention of the audience.

I Live in Fear (1955)

An aged owner of a factory, terrified of nuclear radiation, comes up with a plan to sell all his wealth and move to Brazil, involving his entire family. The film depicts the ownder who is driven into a corner by the discrepancy he senses with the people surrounding him, who think the hydrogen bomb somewhat irrelevant to their lives. The 35-year old Toshiro Mifune succeeds in portraying the role of a 70-year old man with the artfully applied makeup of Junjiro Yamada.

Throne of Blood (1957)

In this film based on Shakespeare's Macbeth, Kurosawa incorporates Noh elements in the performance, making the film his own expression. The magnificent set of Kumonosu Castle, constructed on the second station slopes of Mt. Fuji, is acknowledged as a landmark in the history of set design and manifests Kurosawa's determination and creativity in stage effects.

The Lower Depths (1957)

The play, The Lower Depths by Maxim Gorky, is adapted by this Kurosawa film set in the Edo period. Kurosawa enchantingly projects the precarious lives of destitute people, who for differing personal reasons, drift to a shabby wooden tenement house. The use of multiple cameras is also displayed in this film.

The Hidden Fortress (1958)

A period drama telling the story of a samurai leader attempting to restore his master's household. Breaking through enemy lines, he delivers the royal fortune and young princess to allies with the help from two peasants. It is widely acknowledged that this film was the primary inspiration for George Lucas' Star Wars.

The Bad Sleep Well (1960)

The film tells the tragic life of a man who seeks revenge by wedding the daughter of the man who coerced his father to commit suicide in order to cover up his company's extortion. Having wanted to create a film with deep socail significance, Kurosawa chose as his theme a contemporary social issue which Japan was struggling with. This film was the first film produced by Kurosawa Productions, Inc.