JurorNumberThirteen

Absolutely stunning movie, finally a true representation of life of the working families of the 30's. A scandal that they could not get this film made in the 30's because it's story was regarded as sordid and dangerous by the board of censors. If like me you come from working class families who lived through that era, the stories this film tells are true. The movie must have been shockingly brutal to the establishment and credit to the producer's for taking it on. The downside to the movie is the acting and the direction. The accent's are awful but actors then had to have a clipped middle england accent to get work. I loved the film especially the 4 old ladies holding court on the street. Special mention must go to Marjorie Rhodes character, Mrs Bull who's savage honesty of each situation was a breath of fresh air in the acrid atmosphere of relentless poverty.

I am not one of those artsy fartsy filim fans that search for some deeper meaning or like to talk about the metaphors used in a filim. I watch all types of movies normally recommended by reading critics, books or magazines about movies, I like just to enjoy the story, acting or the images shown. If I'm lucky most times it is all the previous that combine. I mention this to assure anyone reading this twaddle that, I am not some movie snob that was turned on when I saw the words Kurosawa, subtitles and black and white movie . I have watched a few Kurosawa movies and this is a good filim.

You do have to remember that Hidden Fortress is filmed in 1950's Japan and for a Japanese audience of that time but the basics are all there. Great leading man, some good action sequences, two funny sidekicks, a good story that is well told and some great outside shots.

When talking about filims a favourite critique is " it's of its time" that saying applies to this "classic" of Italian horror. While watching this I was transported straight back to the late 70's . Sitting in the Studio Cinema, Newcastle. Synth music blasting out ,the air heavy with the reek of Hi Karate and Tweed, a young lady beside me whom I hoped would feverishly grab me when she was spooked. Time has not been kind to this pile of ####. The music, cinematography, acting and script are gash. To be fair Richard Johnson keeps his end up quite well, the shark v zombie shots are good and the gore is alright, but its not enough and now with myself being in my 50's the unnecessary nudity seems crass. Mind I was not saying that when I was 17 !