X
- 1961
- Not Rated
- Janus Films
- 1 h 50 m
- 1961
- Not Rated
- Janus Films
- 1 h 50 m
Summary A crafty ronin comes to a town divided by two criminal gangs and decides to play them against each other to free the town.
Directed By: Akira Kurosawa
Written By: Ryûzô Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa
- 1961
- Not Rated
- Janus Films
- 1 h 50 m
- 1961
- Not Rated
- Janus Films
- 1 h 50 m
Yojimbo
8.2
Where to Watch
Summary A crafty ronin comes to a town divided by two criminal gangs and decides to play them against each other to free the town.
Directed By: Akira Kurosawa
Written By: Ryûzô Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
93
94% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
6% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
93
94% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
6% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The filmmaking is marvelously austere, yet in its sudden bursts of action electrifying, in its stern morality sobering, in the blackness of its comedy often quite delicious.
One of the great samurai pictures, its darkly brilliant premise--the cynical mercenary/master swordsman or yojimbo (bodyguard) who walks into a town feud and plays both evil sides against each other--has been copied frequently, most notably in the Sergio Leone-Clint Eastwood A Fistful of Dollars. But Kurosawa's treatment remains the most savage, thrilling, smart and hideously funny. [26 Jan 2007, p.C2]
Yojimbo does not cause viewers to ponder deep issues in the way Rashomon does, nor does it possess the epic grandness of The Seven Samurai, yet it must still be considered in the top tier of Kurosawa's films. Stylish, compelling, and involving, it became as much a blueprint for future productions as it is an homage to past ones.
Toshiro Mifune is electrifying as an unemployed samurai exploiting two embattled factions in an early nineteenth-century Japanese country town. [05 Nov 2000, p.11]
Though this lacks the epic stature of Seven Samurai, Kurosawa here again shows his mastery of the medium.
Far from being just another vehicle for Mifune, this belongs in that select group of films noirs which are also comedies.
As in most Westerns, the dramatic penetration is not deep, and the plot complications are many and hard to follow in Japanese. Kurosawa is here showing more virtuosity than strength. Yojimbo is a long way (in the wrong direction) from his brilliant Rashomon.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 34 User Ratings
8.2
94% Positive
32 Ratings
32 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
6% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 34 User Ratings
8.2
94% Positive
32 Ratings
32 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
6% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Venice Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
Blue Ribbon Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
