The work of legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa has influenced a countless number of filmmakers, and George Lucas is certainly no exception. There are notable ideas that Lucas has taken from Kurosawa movies, including the idea of the master and disciple, and the heavy use of transition wipes used throughout the Star Wars saga. The film of Kurosawa that most clearly impacted on a galaxy far, far away was 1958's The Hidden Fortress. Aside from the editing techniques, the the film's plot is told from the point of view of the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, which is taken from the fact that The Hidden Fortress is a story told by two bickering peasants, one tall and the other small. These characters are shown fleeing a battle in the film's beginning, much like Artoo and Threepio in Star Wars. It also features an old, battle-worn general, much like Obi-Wan Kenobi, who trains his student, Luke, and assists a princess (hello, Leia) in a rebellion against an evil enemy. Lucas has openly admitted the influence of Kurosawa and The Hidden Fortress on him, and without it Star Wars would be extremely different, if it even existed at all.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
