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Yojimbo - Criterion Collection | Year: 1961 Classification: Foreign Film - Japanese Directed: - Akira Kurosawa Actors/Actresses: - Toshirô Mifune - Eijirô Tono I'm A Fan of Kurosawa Now I loved HIDDEN FORTRESS. I have not been able to make it through SEVEN SAMURAI yet. I thought I'd try YOJIMBO ("The Bodyguard") and give Mr. Kurosawa another try. I'm glad I did. I was hooked as soon as I saw the dog trotting through town with a severed hand in his mouth. Kurosawa has a wonderful sense of humor and this movie walks the line between action and comedy very well. The story is simple: A samurai-for-hire comes to town and plays two battling factions against each other. He can be bought for rice or saki. Things get a little interesting when an Official makes a visit to make sure everything is running well. Toshiro Mifune plays the "man with no name" samurai. He is an amazing actor. I think of him as the Harrison Ford of Japan. He plays the samurai as a gruff, nose-picking, shoulder-twitching mercenary. I am also impressed with Kurosawa's story-telling. I know Kurosawa only from George Lucas -- I know that Lucas admired him and based a lot of STAR WARS on Kurosawa's style. It is evident. Kurosawa starts the story right away, in the middle of things. He tells the story economically. He uses wipes (like Lucas). My friend Michael, who I think is quite "worldly", says he won't watch subtitled films because it's too much work. I used to think the same way. ** Make yourself work! It's worth it. It's not hard to follow at all. And for heavens sake, you're home in the comfort of your own couch -- if you miss a line or two, rewind the DVD and catch up. Fear of subtitles is no excuse to ignore Kurosawa's wonderful films. Lastly, I'll comment on the Criterion presentation. I agree with one reviewer on the condition of the film used for this transfer. There are a couple of sections where heavy lines appear for a few seconds. I am not easily offended by older films with these problems. I assume none of that could have been corrected digitally or that a better print was simply not available. I have seen a few Criterion DVDs now, and think they do an admirable job -- this one included. Rent/Buy YOJIMBO. Then, follow up and view its sequel SANJURO (which I enjoyed even more!). Kurosawa + Mifune = Magic It had been years since I have last seen Yojimbo. When I put the Criterion DVD into my player, I was enthralled by all 110 minutes. Kurosawa has made so many truly classic films, sometimes his other works are overlooked. This film, though not as good as Seven Samurai/Ran/Ikiru/Rashomon is still better then 99% of the films that have ever been made. In short, the movie is about a lone samurai without allegiance coming to a town of comical loons. The desolate looking town is split between 2 factions, each with their own hired goons. The town is literally being torn apart by them. In walks "Sanjuro" to right the situation!?! Toshiro Mifune is excellent as the no-name, bad mannered, shoulder-shrugging, toothpick-biting samurai. He decides to play each side against the other to start his plan of riding the town of their problem. The film is wonderfully paced, has nice twists, solid dialogue, great acting and an overall warmness in all aspects. My only problem is not with the movie, but with the DVD. I own many Criterion DVDs and this has to be the worse in overall quality. The print quality was a letdown, surely there must be a better print that was not used. If you are a "true lover" of film, then I highly recommend this film. You will not be disappointed. thank you for your time, David save for a few scratches in the print, this is a great DVD I myself am one with those who wonder how on earth this Criterion version of Yojimbo ended up having that huge, ugly scratch mark on the print. It just stops me from giving it a full 5-star mark. But that aside, this DVD is still a great DVD. It's actually my favorite among the Kurosawa-Mifune movies, simply because it is so much fun. the Mifune swagger, perfectly timed with the catchy beat of the soundtrack, is unforgettable. his huge confidence, his arms still drawn in, his shirt sleeves hanging limp and empty while his enemies menacingly surround him, is almost too funny. The lines I like the most come from the "coffins" chapter, where Mifune tells the wannabes "you have such cute faces", then proceeds to tear through them with ease, then with typical panache, tells the cooper (coffin maker) to make two coffins, no, make that three. I don't think I have seen any Hollywood actor, except perhaps the young Paul Newman, act so cool under stress. Even Clint Eastwood's turn in "A Fistful of Dollars" pales in comparison. Then of course, the twists and turns as he manipulates both gangs. Even the way he mocks the boss' wife by calling himself a "nobody", taking the name of some vegetable he saw in the garden through the window. Then his low moments. The way he recovers his strength, the way he prepares to neutralize the enemy's pistol by mastering knife-throwing. You'd think he doesn't stand a chance, until it happens. Those harrowing death scenes. And finally, the sight of Yojimbo leaving town, arms drawn in, sleeves empty and limp on his sides, swaggering to the beat of the soundtrack as the movie ends. It's worth it. And you can always trade-in that crappy "Last Man Standing" to pay off some of the cost of "Yojimbo". It's a trade I would make anytime. Buy Yojimbo at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Yojimbo Search with the Priority Search Engine on Yojimbo This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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