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Special Features
- All-new, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Optional Dolby Digital 3.0 soundtrack, preserving the original Perspecta simulated-stereo effects
- Audio commentary by film historian and Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
- A 45-minute documentary on the making of Yojimbo, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
- Theatrical trailer and teaser
- Stills gallery of behind-the-scenes photos
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- Booklet featuring an essay by critic Alexander Sesonske and notes from Kurosawa and his cast and crew
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This semi-comic 1961 film by legendary director Akira Kurosawa (Rashomon, Ran) was inspired by the American Western genre. Kurosawa mainstay Toshirô Mifune (The Seven Samurai) plays a drifting samurai for hire who plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honor. Yojimbo is striking for its unorthodox treatment of violence and morality, reserving judgment on the actions of its main character and instead presenting an entertaining tale with humor and much visual excitement. One of the inspirations for the "spaghetti Westerns" of director Sergio Leone and later surfacing as a remake as Last Man Standing with Bruce Willis, this film offers insight into a director who influenced American films even as he was influenced by them. --Robert Lane
Product Description
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.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Although it lacks the scope of THE SEVEN SAMURAI, THRONE OF BLOOD, and other more widely known films by the celebrated Akira Kurosawa, the 1961 YOJIMBO (also known as BODYGUARD) is one of the most important films of the second half of the 20th Century--and a film that was deeply influenced by American film. Even so, YOJIMBO stands on its own merits: it's a magnificent piece of cinema that will fascinate even those who normally turn up their noses at "movies with subtitles."
In theory, the film is based on the 1929 Dashiell Hammett novel RED HARVEST--but transports the basic story to a period in Japan when the Samurai class has fallen on hard times and must seek employment as common body guards. Sanjuro Kuwabatake (brilliantly played by Toshiro Mifune, who appeared in several Kurosawa films) is such a one, a scruffy looking and aging warrior who finds himself caught between warring factions of a Japanese village and responds by playing the two against each other.
One of the film's greatest assets is its visual style. Kurosawa is very clearly influenced by the look of the American western here, and most particularly so, in my opinion, by HIGH NOON. Consequently, YOJIMBO leaps the cultural divide with considerable ease--but Kurosawa uses the images of empty streets and the lone warrior to considerably different effect, presenting him as a dangerous figure who emerges from the dust and the wind to rip wide his foes. But the film does not rely on visual style alone: there is plenty of hard substance here, too. The plot is tightly wound, action-intensive, and laced with a dry and very black humor, and the cast is superlative throughout.
As it borrowed from the American movie western, so did it influence American film in return, most obviously in the form of the popular Clint Eastwood "spaghetti westerns" of the 1970s--where it was essentially remade as A FIST FULL OF DOLLARS. But frankly Clint Eastwood never had it so good: with Kurosawa at the helm and Mifune as the lead, Eastwood's "lone stranger" feels mighty tame in comparison.
The Criterion DVD offers the film in original widescreen and in the best possible condition short of a full digital restoration. As noted elsewhere, there are occasional blips and lines--but honestly the film is so driving that you will barely notice them. The subtitles also seem to be a better translation than I've seen in any other version. YOJIMBO was my introduction to Japanese cinema. I urge you to let it be yours as well.
GFT, Amazon reviewer
66 of 75 people found the following review helpful
By JediFonger
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Thank you so much Criterion for releasing all of their licensed Akira Kurosawa films in a single boxset! This is one epic collection in every sense of the word!
Most arm-chair critics do not take into account or acknowledge companies like Criterion need to pay royalties for the right to release films! And the royalty often come with an expiration date. An example of this is Kurosawa's 1985 film RAN was released on DVD and was scheduled to be released on Blu-ray only to have the rights expired. It was reverted back to Studio Canal, who eventually decided to release their own Blu-ray/DVD instead (at the time of this writing). Royalties/licenses are primary reasons why the following 5 titles are missing from this collection to make it COMPLETE:
The Quiet Duel
Dersu Uzala
Ran
Dreams
Rhapsody in August
I'm not an industry insider nor do I work for Criterion so I do not know the business decisions those 5 films aren't included in this collection. Remember, Criterion is business first, film purist second. My guess is it is not for the lack of trying to obtain the rights to release those 5 in this boxset. It's possible that either the license/copyright owners want too much money or there might not have been a great film print to begin with and it would take even longer for a set like this to be released! It's not like Criterion is sitting around with nothing to do =P. So, it isn't really Criterion's fault for not including every single film Akira Kurosawa has directed! This boxset is already monumental for the fact that Criterion took the time to do it in the first place! For that, I am grateful!
Note: Those Who Make Tomorrow (1946) is not included because Kurosawa himself disowned this film because Toho studio forced him to direct it for the sake of union. Google it and you'll find out why. I've seen this film and Kurosawa is correct, it is not even close to being Kurosawa-lite! IMDB lists 31 FULL Length features that Kurosawa has directed, but it should be 30 total.
Now, onto the set itself! Every single film in this set is presented in the usual excellent picture quality and audio presentation Criterion is known for! If you have purchased Criterion products in the past, you already know that they deliver the very BEST technical film presentation than anyone else in the industry. So if you were wondering what if Criterion skimped on quality, I would stop wondering. They did not skimp on anything in this boxset! All grain is preserved and the picture is clear and sharp and audio cleaned up so you can hear everything. Pretty good for 60+ year old film negatives on the early films!
Ok, so there is probably only 1 film that you are wondering how they can squeeze what was once a 2 disc high bitrate release (from the 3 disc edition) down to 1 disc. I'm talking about the Seven Samurai, of course. I have to remind you that Criterion has released that title 3 times (correct me if I'm wrong). The first is the barebone movie only version during the early days of DVDs, it was not even anamorphic I don't think. The second release, Criterion took the video from the first, cleaned it a bit, and added more bonus/extra. There is a progressive improvement, but nothing like the third release (the 3disc edition). This latest edition is the definitive remastering of the film negative that is so sharp and awesome they needed 2 discs (it is an almost 4 hour movie after all). Anyways, back to this set. Did Criterion do Seven Samurai justice by squeezing what was once 2 discs into 1 disc? Absolutely. Why? Improvements in MPEG-2 compression knowledge and technology over the years. MPEG-2 is a VERY mature codec by now. It's been 13+ years since DVDs debuted. Every year or so it has improved more and more, squeezing more quality out of less disk space than previously required. So rest assured everything else is golden here. It's not the *SAME* as the 3 disc, but it also not as poor as the first 2 edition releases. But if you love Seven Samurai like I do, you should already own the 3disc release (or the Blu-Ray ;)
That brings to me to why I gave this 3 stars. Before I purchased this AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa boxset, the only Kurosawa Criterion I owned is the 3 disc Seven Samurai DVD because I had been waiting for a boxset like AK 100 to come along! The Seven Samurai is my favorite film of all time and Akira Kurosawa is my favorite director of all time, but I never bought AK movies on DVD because I've been waiting for a "definitive" Criterion collection to complete the collection all at one fell swoop. Unfortunately, Criterion did not release this set with those intentions in mind. This boxset included is only the films themselves and nothing more. Some of the films that were previously released like Hidden Fortress had bonus features. In my dream, I wished that Criterion included *ALL* previous double disc and the entire bonus content releases for ALL the AK films that they have. That would have made this more like $500-700 though. I know that would have been priced way out of my price range!
Which makes me wonder who this set is target. I know one of the audiences they want to bring in are people who have never purchased any AK films. It would seem like I am their target... yet I am disappointed because they didn't include all the PREVIOUSLY released bonus/extras! Before I got this, I assumed that this boxset would include EVERYTHING, my 3 disc Seven Samurai, all of the Criterion AK movies that have been released and previously unreleased material with even MORE bonus material. Instead I'm left with JUST THE FILMS themselves, which isn't bad at all! They are excellent films! It's just I feel cheated now because I'm expected to be brought upto speed w/the rest of the AK collectors (over the years) who have purchased the single disc editions for the bonus/extras. Instead, I'm left with the impression that Criterion is basically saying: "you should have been buying those AK Criterion releases all along, we were never going to include the bonus/extras in a boxset you silly goose!"
Those that have been collecting every single AK releases by Criterion will not buy this set. They will probably wait for the eventual Essentials/Eclipse package that will include the ones that they are missing (the early films especially). Or they can wait for the individual releases.
Hope this review is helpful for those who either don't have any AK films or have some or have all of them so far.
Most arm-chair critics do not take into account or acknowledge companies like Criterion need to pay royalties for the right to release films! And the royalty often come with an expiration date. An example of this is Kurosawa's 1985 film RAN was released on DVD and was scheduled to be released on Blu-ray only to have the rights expired. It was reverted back to Studio Canal, who eventually decided to release their own Blu-ray/DVD instead (at the time of this writing). Royalties/licenses are primary reasons why the following 5 titles are missing from this collection to make it COMPLETE:
The Quiet Duel
Dersu Uzala
Ran
Dreams
Rhapsody in August
I'm not an industry insider nor do I work for Criterion so I do not know the business decisions those 5 films aren't included in this collection. Remember, Criterion is business first, film purist second. My guess is it is not for the lack of trying to obtain the rights to release those 5 in this boxset. It's possible that either the license/copyright owners want too much money or there might not have been a great film print to begin with and it would take even longer for a set like this to be released! It's not like Criterion is sitting around with nothing to do =P. So, it isn't really Criterion's fault for not including every single film Akira Kurosawa has directed! This boxset is already monumental for the fact that Criterion took the time to do it in the first place! For that, I am grateful!
Note: Those Who Make Tomorrow (1946) is not included because Kurosawa himself disowned this film because Toho studio forced him to direct it for the sake of union. Google it and you'll find out why. I've seen this film and Kurosawa is correct, it is not even close to being Kurosawa-lite! IMDB lists 31 FULL Length features that Kurosawa has directed, but it should be 30 total.
Now, onto the set itself! Every single film in this set is presented in the usual excellent picture quality and audio presentation Criterion is known for! If you have purchased Criterion products in the past, you already know that they deliver the very BEST technical film presentation than anyone else in the industry. So if you were wondering what if Criterion skimped on quality, I would stop wondering. They did not skimp on anything in this boxset! All grain is preserved and the picture is clear and sharp and audio cleaned up so you can hear everything. Pretty good for 60+ year old film negatives on the early films!
Ok, so there is probably only 1 film that you are wondering how they can squeeze what was once a 2 disc high bitrate release (from the 3 disc edition) down to 1 disc. I'm talking about the Seven Samurai, of course. I have to remind you that Criterion has released that title 3 times (correct me if I'm wrong). The first is the barebone movie only version during the early days of DVDs, it was not even anamorphic I don't think. The second release, Criterion took the video from the first, cleaned it a bit, and added more bonus/extra. There is a progressive improvement, but nothing like the third release (the 3disc edition). This latest edition is the definitive remastering of the film negative that is so sharp and awesome they needed 2 discs (it is an almost 4 hour movie after all). Anyways, back to this set. Did Criterion do Seven Samurai justice by squeezing what was once 2 discs into 1 disc? Absolutely. Why? Improvements in MPEG-2 compression knowledge and technology over the years. MPEG-2 is a VERY mature codec by now. It's been 13+ years since DVDs debuted. Every year or so it has improved more and more, squeezing more quality out of less disk space than previously required. So rest assured everything else is golden here. It's not the *SAME* as the 3 disc, but it also not as poor as the first 2 edition releases. But if you love Seven Samurai like I do, you should already own the 3disc release (or the Blu-Ray ;)
That brings to me to why I gave this 3 stars. Before I purchased this AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa boxset, the only Kurosawa Criterion I owned is the 3 disc Seven Samurai DVD because I had been waiting for a boxset like AK 100 to come along! The Seven Samurai is my favorite film of all time and Akira Kurosawa is my favorite director of all time, but I never bought AK movies on DVD because I've been waiting for a "definitive" Criterion collection to complete the collection all at one fell swoop. Unfortunately, Criterion did not release this set with those intentions in mind. This boxset included is only the films themselves and nothing more. Some of the films that were previously released like Hidden Fortress had bonus features. In my dream, I wished that Criterion included *ALL* previous double disc and the entire bonus content releases for ALL the AK films that they have. That would have made this more like $500-700 though. I know that would have been priced way out of my price range!
Which makes me wonder who this set is target. I know one of the audiences they want to bring in are people who have never purchased any AK films. It would seem like I am their target... yet I am disappointed because they didn't include all the PREVIOUSLY released bonus/extras! Before I got this, I assumed that this boxset would include EVERYTHING, my 3 disc Seven Samurai, all of the Criterion AK movies that have been released and previously unreleased material with even MORE bonus material. Instead I'm left with JUST THE FILMS themselves, which isn't bad at all! They are excellent films! It's just I feel cheated now because I'm expected to be brought upto speed w/the rest of the AK collectors (over the years) who have purchased the single disc editions for the bonus/extras. Instead, I'm left with the impression that Criterion is basically saying: "you should have been buying those AK Criterion releases all along, we were never going to include the bonus/extras in a boxset you silly goose!"
Those that have been collecting every single AK releases by Criterion will not buy this set. They will probably wait for the eventual Essentials/Eclipse package that will include the ones that they are missing (the early films especially). Or they can wait for the individual releases.
Hope this review is helpful for those who either don't have any AK films or have some or have all of them so far.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
As there is so much written about this Box I want to share my opinion on it too !
First of all you already know that these DVDs are plain film,no extras!For a price around 300 dollars that's absolutely unacceptable,even though the films themself are pure masterpieces!
So my 5 Star-Rating only concerns the films,but not this poor release.
But even if the films don't contain any bonusmaterial,why are they also don't feature optional soundtrack-versions like a few of the individual Criterion-Releases have?
For instance the individual Release of "Rashomon" (Spine No. 138)also contains an optional english dubbed soundtrack.
The individual Criterion-releases of "The Hidden Fortress" (Spine No.116) , "Yojimbo" (Spine No.52) and "Sanjuro" (Spine No.53) also contain an optional 3.0 Soundtrack,while the releases in this box are only monaural. The individual release of "Throne of Blood" (Spine No. 190) contains 2 different subtitles to choose. One from japanese film translator Linda Hoaglund,the other from Donald Richie.The DVD in this box only features the Donald-Richie-Subtitles.
And of course the film "Dodes'ka-den".....While in 1995 released on Criterion-Laserdisc (LD 291)with a 1,66/1 format,the later DVD-Release was cut to a 1,33/1 format (The individual release (Spine No. 465) as well as the DVD in this box)!
And don't let anyone fool you by telling you how good the quality of the picture and sound are.The 4 early films that are released here for the first time ("Sanjiro Sugata part 1 and part 2","The Most Beautiful" and "Those who Tread on the Tigers Tail")have a poor picture and sound quality.In fact even someone who's able understanding the japanese language can't watch the films "Sanjiro Sugata Part 1 and 2" without subtitles.The soundtrack is to poor to understand the whole film.
The 5 films that have already been released as Eclipse Series 7 ,Postwar Kurosawa("No Regrets for Our Youth","One Wonderful Sunday","Scandal","The Idiot" and "I live in Fear") have a better picture and sound then those four films mentioned before,but still not the ultimate.I got better releases of some of these five films from other countries in my collection.
But the other 15 films that are also individually available from Criterion do have a brilliant picture and sound !!!
At last one really positive thing is that this collection contains the 3-hour japanese cut of the film "Kagemusha",not the 2 and a half hour international cut that's avalable all over the world.
Sad Thing is that "The Quiet Duel","Dersu Uzala","Ran" and "Dreams" are not included in this box(I Love those films !).
As some other reviews already stated,the missing of "Rhapsody in August" is Ok.(I don't like That film!)
But those 5 films are individually available.
"Ran" as Criterion-Collection Double-DVD Spine No.316.But if you want the Criterion-DVD then you must be fast ,it's already OOP (Out Of Print).
First of all you already know that these DVDs are plain film,no extras!For a price around 300 dollars that's absolutely unacceptable,even though the films themself are pure masterpieces!
So my 5 Star-Rating only concerns the films,but not this poor release.
But even if the films don't contain any bonusmaterial,why are they also don't feature optional soundtrack-versions like a few of the individual Criterion-Releases have?
For instance the individual Release of "Rashomon" (Spine No. 138)also contains an optional english dubbed soundtrack.
The individual Criterion-releases of "The Hidden Fortress" (Spine No.116) , "Yojimbo" (Spine No.52) and "Sanjuro" (Spine No.53) also contain an optional 3.0 Soundtrack,while the releases in this box are only monaural. The individual release of "Throne of Blood" (Spine No. 190) contains 2 different subtitles to choose. One from japanese film translator Linda Hoaglund,the other from Donald Richie.The DVD in this box only features the Donald-Richie-Subtitles.
And of course the film "Dodes'ka-den".....While in 1995 released on Criterion-Laserdisc (LD 291)with a 1,66/1 format,the later DVD-Release was cut to a 1,33/1 format (The individual release (Spine No. 465) as well as the DVD in this box)!
And don't let anyone fool you by telling you how good the quality of the picture and sound are.The 4 early films that are released here for the first time ("Sanjiro Sugata part 1 and part 2","The Most Beautiful" and "Those who Tread on the Tigers Tail")have a poor picture and sound quality.In fact even someone who's able understanding the japanese language can't watch the films "Sanjiro Sugata Part 1 and 2" without subtitles.The soundtrack is to poor to understand the whole film.
The 5 films that have already been released as Eclipse Series 7 ,Postwar Kurosawa("No Regrets for Our Youth","One Wonderful Sunday","Scandal","The Idiot" and "I live in Fear") have a better picture and sound then those four films mentioned before,but still not the ultimate.I got better releases of some of these five films from other countries in my collection.
But the other 15 films that are also individually available from Criterion do have a brilliant picture and sound !!!
At last one really positive thing is that this collection contains the 3-hour japanese cut of the film "Kagemusha",not the 2 and a half hour international cut that's avalable all over the world.
Sad Thing is that "The Quiet Duel","Dersu Uzala","Ran" and "Dreams" are not included in this box(I Love those films !).
As some other reviews already stated,the missing of "Rhapsody in August" is Ok.(I don't like That film!)
But those 5 films are individually available.
"Ran" as Criterion-Collection Double-DVD Spine No.316.But if you want the Criterion-DVD then you must be fast ,it's already OOP (Out Of Print).
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the best!!
I have seen this film at least 110 times over the last 15 years. It never gets tired. Kirosawa's films are ALL worth watching. Read more
Published 13 days ago by J. L. Zack
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kurosawa's coolest film
Yojimbo may not technically be Kurosawa's best film but it surely must be his coolest. Well known as the film that inspired A Fistful of Dollars, if it's the first time you've seen... Read more
Published 17 days ago by Christopher Brunton
3.0 out of 5 stars
Recent Ordering
For whatever reason I missed the part where apparently it stated that this offering was dubed into English. I wanted it in Japaneese w English subtitles. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Geof Larkin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
Looking forward to watching the Leone and Hill remakes. Great acting. A little gory at times. We liked this very much.
Published 1 month ago by ATLDad
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of Kurosawa's best.
This classic was the basis for Clint Eastwood's famous western "A Fistful of Dollars". Viewers who know that movie will recognize the scenes in "Yojimbo".
Published 1 month ago by FreedomRide
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT MOVIE
This is another great samurai movie from Kurosawa to complete an informal trilogy of samurai movies including Rashomon, Seven Samurai, and Yojimbo. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Roman Nykolyshyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Sequel Ever
A perfect introduction to Kurosawa. This one hits the ground running and completely holds your interest without a single wasted frame or word. Read more
Published 3 months ago by mr. critic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yojimbo
My son (26) really loved this movie. It was a Christmas present and he truly enjoyed it. Couldn't have bought him anything better.
Published 4 months ago by Crystal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ichiban
"Sanjuro" My wife and I enjoyed "Yojimbo" so much we had to get this film... They say it is this is the next story of the
wandering ronin.
wandering ronin.
Published 4 months ago by rainsongeric
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly a classic.
Not quite as epic as '7 Samurai' but still a GREAT movie, that has also been copied a few times, "Fistful of Dollars" & "Last Man Standing".
Published 4 months ago by MLawliss
