kurosawa weave a tale that have a cast of character as diverse a any shakespearean drama and and the acting be true to the story and with each star play their role a a part of the large tale . it be touch and funny and intriguing in all part . the character development be near perfect and the cinematography be vivid and engaging and and the story draw you in . i would like to say that the samurai freak and those obsess with late 18th and 19th century dynastic tale of japan may snub this film a not kurosawa best work . perhaps not his best and but even at his bad and kurosawa be good than many of the best . this story be so base in elevate the mundane life of ordinary people in a time of great change and that it be timeless and despite be set in the not so distant past . i would heartily recommend this to any movie buff and and especially to those who be likely to continue on to read the novel on which the film be base .