Yojimbo (1961)
OCCASIONAL LOW LEVEL VIOLENCE
| Director: | Akira Kurosawa |
| Actors: | Takashi Shimura, Eijiro Tono, Tatsuya Nakadai, Toshirô Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Seizaburô Kawazu |
In director Akira Kurosawa's comedic YOJIMBO, a masterless samurai, Sanjuro (Toshirô Mifune), wanders into a town divided by two warring clans. After displaying his formidable swordsmanship before both clans in a brawl with street thugs, Sanjuro offers his services to the highest bidder. When one clan conspires against him, the clever warrior switches his allegiance to the other side, with the ultimate goal of tricking the two equally despicable and foolish clans into exterminating each other. Sanjuro's authority is challenged, however, when Unosuke (Tatsuya Nakadai), a brother of one of the leaders, comes to town wielding a modern contraption: a gun. In the classic final showdown, the old world samurai is pitted against new world progress, and must use both his wits and physical prowess to survive.
Perhaps Kurosawa's most overtly comic film, YOJIMBO easily ranks with the director's finest work. In this reconception of the Western, Mifune plays Sanjuro, the tough mercenary of few words, to perfection, often allowing his subtle movements and swift actions speak for him. Throughout the entire film, Sanjuro is vigilant yet stoic, conceding that he finds the scenario entertaining and absurd, and essentially has nothing to lose. Mifune's outstanding performance, combined with Kurosawa's expert direction and Kazuo Miyagawa's beautifully balanced photography, makes for one of the finest, and funniest, films in Japanese cinema.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 106mins |
| Origin: | JAPAN |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 Enhanced |
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Member Reviews (22)
22 Member
Reviews
Josh
says
One of the best films that Kurosawa ever made. Not quite as good as Seven Samurai, but nonetheless excellent. I could definitely see why Sergio Leone felt motivated to direct this in the form of "A Fistful Of Dollars".
Spring
says
From a time when movie life was simple, without the gimmickry that modern technology allows. The movie is great fun, you know who the baddies are just because they are so ugly, with natural exaggerated features, facial and otherwise. There's even a Frankenstein look-alike, a giant of a beast. (Kurosawa uses the same cast of uglies in many movies). Yojimbo is the hired assassin with a heart and intelligence to boot. Playing two warring gangs against each other, his strategies remind me of some of Sun Tzu's military strategies , like "Avoid Strength, Attack Weakness: Striking Where The Enemy Is Most Vulnerable", "All warfare is based on deception" etc... In one scene, Yojimbo sits on a platform, up atop a ladder and sniggers as he watches the two gangs eliminate each other; a metaphorical perch above common low life.
Colin H.
says
The template for the modern action movie.
Unmissable.
Ryan S.
says
Sergio Leone doesn't look quite the genius after viewing this one (although still one of my favourite directors). The same story told here also is the basis for a Fistful of Dollars and Last man Standing.
A classic film with good pacing and a great soundtrack. The shots are nicely composed and the characters are great.
Jack K.
says
Toshiro Mifune stars as an itinerant samurai, Sanjuro, who becomes “the bodyguard” in Akira Kurosawa’s brilliant black comedy merging the American wild west with the Japanese warrior genre. It’s set in a small and bleak ‘bad-ass’Japanese town divided by two warring factions in 1860; enter arrogant and cynical, but cool, Mifune. He’s superb, emotionally indifferent, speaking only when necessary and conveying his character by deft control of his expressions and body movements. The stylized violence is wonderfully choreographed, there’s plenty of twists and unpredictable turns and the photography is outstanding. Kurosawa added a new dimension to the theme of a solitary cowboy-samurai coming to the rescue of a beleaguered town.
Craig Hill
says
It was O.K.. Depends what you're into.
Charlie P.
says
Adriaan van Jaarsveldt
says
Akira Kurosawa’s darkly comic classic about a lone Samurai warrior, who after the fall of the feudal system in Japan, wanders into a small town and becomes embroiled in a deadly feud between to local gangs. It’s a fascinating combination of eastern and western (real wild western) themes. It’s the classic lone gunslinger plot set in a village in Japan. The plot is almost identical to A Fistful Of Dollars. There are many other parts and techniques in Yojimbo that have been copied by later film makers. Near the start there is a scene of a dog making off with a severed hand in his jaw – lovingly reprised by David Lynch in Wild at Heart. The black and white cinematography is excellent, capturing perfectly the desolation of the besieged town and the tension between the opposing parties.
Peter D.
says
Not exactly a comedy, but about as much fun to watch as the spaghetti westerns it inspired.
Jack C.
says
Not as good as I expected.
John D.
says
Not worth your time a real second rater
David M.
says
Maurice M.
says
Noodle Samurai
Josh L.
says
While it may lack the explosive battles of modern chinese action films, it has all the style and charm. The charming control of characters is a testament Kurosawa's skill. Interesting to watch before watching "Last man Standing".
Yuki W.
says
Michael C.
says
Rebecca B.
says
Good viewing of Japanese period action.
Arie Sietsma
says
It is a like a stage play (one location) and a Western combined. We enjoyed it thoroughly
Job Napitupulu
says
I would give it 6 stars if it's available :D
Kevin Spearey
says
Francis Daly
says
Kurosawa's attempt at the lighter side of the samurai culture is still dark and,of course violent. But the pace and characters make it compulsive viewing.
Stefano Boscutti
says