Stanley Kubrick’s favourite Akira Kurosawa movies
The mutual appreciation society between the greatest directorial talents in the industry has always kept its doors wide open, although trying to decipher Stanley Kubrick’s definitive list of favourites has proven every bit as difficult as expected of such a fiercely private person.
Only once did he ever publish a ‘top ten’ list, and that came all the way back in 1963, which gave him more than three decades to experience the latest cinema had to offer. Presumably, were he asked again closer to his passing in March 1999 at the age of 70 for an updated version, it would have been borderline unrecognisable.
Still, one thing that’s largely assumed when the conversation turns to the top-tier directorial talents in history is that they’re more often than not going to hold Akira Kurosawa in the highest esteem, which is perfectly fair considering the Japanese icon is one of the very best to have ever picked up a megaphone.
There’s barely a notable director to come along in the last half a century that hasn’t waxed lyrical on the genius behind many of the all-time greats, and as far as can be inferred, Kubrick was part of that number. Speaking to the British Film Institute, the 2001: A Space Odyssey creator’s long-time assistant Anthony Frewin was left bemused that Kurosawa wasn’t present on a previously-published list of his former employer’s favourites.
“What struck me immediately while looking through this ‘Master List’ was the conspicuous absence of Akira Kurosawa. Stanley thought Kurosawa was one of the great film directors and followed him closely,” he explained. “In fact, I cannot think of any other director he spoke so consistently and admiringly about. So, if Kubrick was cast away on a desert island and could only take a few films, what would they be? My money would be on The Battle of Algiers, Danton, Rashomon, Seven Samurai, and Throne of Blood.”
Hypothetically speaking, then, were Kubrick to have ever appeared on Desert Island Discs, three of the five features he would have selected hailed from Kurosawa, at least in Frewin’s knowledgeable opinion. Despite the deep-lying respect there was between them, though, the chance to share those feelings in writing sadly slipped through their fingers.
“Talking of Kurosawa, a poignant tale: Stanley received a fan letter from Kurosawa in the late 1990s and was so touched by it. It meant more to him than any Oscar would,” Frewin continued. “He agonised over how to reply, wrote innumerable drafts, but somehow couldn’t quite get the tenor and tone right. Weeks went by, and then months, still agonising.”
Having “decided enough was enough,” Kubrick put his determination to craft the perfect note to one side, but it was too late. “Before the letter was sent, Kurosawa died,” Frewin sadly recalled. “Stanley was deeply upset.”
Stanley Kubrick’s favourite Akira Kurosawa movies
- Rashomon (1950)
- Seven Samurai (1954)
- Throne of Blood (1957)
