Film Fetish: "Sanjuro"

Sanjuro (1962)
- directed by Akira Kurosawa

In this follow-up to Yojimbo, Toshiro Mifune reprises his role as the sly ronin, Sanjuro. Set in nineteenth-century Japan, the wandering Sanjuro encounters a group of nine clansmen who become the target of a corrupt official when they decide to expose him. Sanjuro steps into the fray when he saves the men from certain death at the hands of the official's army. Along with their new ally, the clansmen set out to rescue their leader's uncle who's being held captive by the corrupt official who hopes to extort a confession which would exonerate him and his men from any wrongdoing.

What can I say? It's Kurosawa, and it's a "sequel" to Yojimbo, and Toshiro Mifune is reprising his role as Sanjuro? What more could I want? What more could you want? :P This is a great movie, and in its own way, you might say a better film than Yojimbo. But I don't want to say that. They're great films in their own right, which means this turns out to be one of the best samurai films around. It's packed with more action than it's predecessor, and has a more involved, intricate story. Given the success of Yojimbo, the Sanjuro character is the true focus of this film, more so than before. Which is a great thing. Mifune is so charismatic in the lead role. A true treat. Able to play both the comedian and the action star with such deft subtlety, Mifune's performance is more than worth the price of admission. A must-see for Kurosawa and samurai film fans alike.

8/10 A fantastic follow-up to Yojimbo. Toshiro Mifune at his best. An absolute treat for even the most casual samurai film fan; actually a treat for any admirer of great filmmaking.



* Spoilers *

While I've already said that Mifune's performance is more than enough to warrant a viewing, the real stand-alone draw should be the film's ending. More specifically the final duel between Sanjuro and the master samurai who led the official's army. It's filmmaking at it's best. Charged with tension, it's the most exciting minute of just about any movie you'll ever see. And best of all, it's the most gore-tastic piece of action I've ever seen, which is saying something given the time in which this film was made. You've gotta see it any way you can. :D

DS333, The Decadent.