Seven Samurai Theme of Warfare

The samurai spent much of their lives as warriors—real warriors fighting in extended wars.

In Seven Samurai, the beleaguered village is kind of like the Mini-Me of wars for them: it's a chance for them to be soldiers again, and practice genuine tactics and strategy like they were trained to. It won't matter in the grand scheme of things—not to anyone but the village itself that is—but the chance to practice formal warfare after years of wandering aimlessly is more than these guys can resist.

1. How does the movie distinguish the elegant tactics of warfare with the chaotic and gruesome reality?
2. How is formal soldiering portrayed here? What makes it better than the kind of warfare practiced by the bandits?
3. In what ways are the peasants forced to become soldiers?
4. Is a heroic death in battle shown as a good or bad thing in the film? Why or why not?

Tactics alone lets the samurai emerge victorious. They're professional soldiers.

Tactics and soldiering are valuable, but mean nothing without the samurai principles to guide them.