The incomparable Toshiro Mifune stars in Akira Kurosawa’s visually stunning and darkly comic Yojimbo. To rid a terror-stricken village of corruption, wily masterless samurai Sanjuro turns a range war between two evil clans to his own advantage. Remade twice, by Sergio Leone (A Fistful of Dollars) and Walter Hill (Last Man Standing), this exhilarating genre-twister remains one of the most influential and entertaining films ever produced. Criterion is proud to present this Kurosawa favorite in a new, high-definition digital transfer. Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Eijirô Tôno, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yôko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada
Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
Runtime: 108 minutes
Studio: Criterion
Amazon USAmazon UKIMDBReview: Yojimbo
My latest experience of Akira Kurosawa tells the story of a wandering ronin (Toshiro Mifune) who comes to a town that is divided between two rival gangs. Once peaceful, friendships have broken down and sides have been taken with many of the young men taking up arms to defend their respective leader. Some of the townspeople try for peaceful co-existence and advise the ronin to be on his way so as to avoid any trouble. Rather than leave, the ronin decides that the town will only enjoy better times if both gangs are dead. This skilled warrior is more than a match for the townspeople but though he is good with a sword, he’s also pretty intelligent as well.
The ronin decides the best way to end the war in the town is to play both sides off against one another. He offers his services to one side and then to the other, gaining insight into each respective enemy before initiating many clever schemes to bring them both to ruin, liberating prisoners, blaming murders on opposing sides, all of it fuels the rage of both factions. The gang led by Ushitora (Kyu Sazanka) proves far deadlier than that led by Seibei (Seizaburo Kawazu) but neither side comes across as innocent. Initially drawn to helping Seibei, the ronin is disgusted when he overhears his employer’s plan to have him wipe out Ushitora and then orchestrate the ronin’s death so they don’t have to pay him! The more risks the ronin takes in ending the two sides, the more suspicious they become of his intentions. The question is can he restore peace to the town or will one gang prevail over the other?
Yojimbo complements the excellent range of Kurosawa films I’ve witnessed so far. This influential film may have a simple story on the surface but it is executed with some finesse by its director. The rival factions, the cunning undermining of the leaders, it all builds up to a terrific conclusion. If you ever try any of Kurosawa films do not overlook this one.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 752 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.
