Force Material Episode XLVII: The Hidden Fortress
This week, we're going back to the Sengoku period to explore how The Hidden Fortress influenced Star Wars!
We start this week's episode by going back to the beginnings of George Lucas' love affair with Akira Kurosawa (01:37), and explaining what Kurosawa was motivated by when he made The Hidden Fortress (02:39).
Then we break down the specific ways The Hidden Fortress helped to shape Star Wars, from the influence of Tahei and Matashichi on C-3PO and R2-D2 (06:00), to the influence of General Rokurota Makabe and General Hyoe Tadokoro on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader (11:29), and the influence of Princess Yuki on Princess Leia, Padme Amidala and Rey (20:45)!
Finally, we take a look at the early Star Wars treatments that bore a much closer resemblance to The Hidden Fortress (26:52), and the influences Akira Kurosawa drew on himself when he made The Hidden Fortress (31:19)!
Force Material is a podcast exploring the secrets and source material of Star Wars with hosts Rohan Williams and Baz McAlister. Listen and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Stitcher, PlayerFM and Castro; stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and support the show by browsing our range of shirts, hoodies, kids apparel, mugs and more at TeePublic.
