I have to say this probably my least favorite Kurosawa film.
I do own the DVD, and it is a very enjoyable movie, but it's not a classic in my eyes.
One of the biggest elements missing from this film is Toshiro Mifune(RIP), I know it sounds stupid, but I think most of Kurosawa's samurai classics were MADE by him. A Kurosawa film really isn't the same without him(with the exception of Ikiru, which was amazing)
And I thought the battles scenes were pretty non-spectacular.

Sure, you've got more modern technology and props to work with, but movies like Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Sanjuro had far better battles.

I thought it did have one amazing scene though, the stand off between the two brothers' armies, with all the soldiers who hid in the forest with guns.

But, it was just missing something, I guess heart is the word for it?
I don't know, but the battles didn't impress me at all.

The plot was a brilliant adaptation though.
overall, I'd give it a 7.5.

I have to disagree Cap'n. This is one of his greatest in my opinion.

I thought the battle scene with the sound drowned out by music was surreal. An absolutely brilliant piece of filmmaking. The actors were amazing and all the elements of the film tied up spectacularly.

I'm not saying the film isn't great, but most of Kurosawa's film are absolutely spectacular, this really wasn't, and in my eyes, it will never be a classic.

And the battle scenes you speak of were pretty hollow, there was no real fighting going on with all the guns and arrows, I missed the classic sword fights.

Well, for me I thought this film was really good.

I actually hate to admit that I'm not a huge fan of Kurosawa apart from this film so far. I've seen quite a few, but this is the only one I can personally love. I can certainly respect his other films that I've seen, but they don't appeal so much to me personally.

The oddest thing is that I don't feel as though I'm really allowed to admit this. If I do, I'll have everyone wanting to kill me. Seriously. Doesn't everyone want to kill me now?

But this film is really one of my favorites of all time.

Oh, as well, I have some screenshots that I've taken to add to the thread :

A great film