Yojimbo

Rating: 10/10
Year: 1961
Genre: Drama
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Kamatari Fujiwara, Takashi Shimura, Tatsuya Nakadai, Eijiro Tono

Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the classic portrayal of the wandering Ronin, comes across a small town where a silk merchant and his gang battle with the sake merchant and his gang for control of the town. Sanjuro cons each side to ensure the destruction of them both by hiring himself out as a bodyguard or Yojimbo.

Most likely Kurosawa's second most popular film. Toshiro Mifune continues his legacy as Japan's most talented actor and brilliantly displays the Ronin's demeanor. A hero that will only come to the aid of the weak for just the right amount of koku.

Yojimbo has had such am impact on international Cinema that even Sergei Leone was sued by Kurosawa for stealing the entire story and making it into a western.

DVD (US version) - This film is highly recommended. The DVD Criterion Collection edition of this film comes for a price, but is gauranteed to become one of the most treasured pieces in your collection.

Cool guy(s) - Toshiro Mifune, Kamatari Fujiwara

Reviewed by: Brian Dodson