Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Death in the Dust and the Wind, December 6, 2003
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
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34 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
No help for fools., April 24, 2005
The great Akira Kurosawa directed "Yojimbo" -- first released in 1961. The film stars frequent Kurosawa collaborator, Toshirô Mifune, who's as good here as he's ever been. The film is set in the post-samurai era, and Mifune is a wandering samurai offering his services as a bodyguard. He stumbles upon an inept, warring town and decides to make some money - perhaps having a little fun in the process.
Of all Kuosawa's movies, "Yojimbo" is probably structured the most like a traditional western. Not surprisingly, Sergio Leone used it as his inspiration for "A Fistful of Dollars," the first of his "spaghetti-Westerns." Obviously, "Yojimbo" is better than the vast majority of movies, foreign or otherwise, but I was a bit disappointed nevertheless. Many people consider "Yojimbo" to be among Kurosawa's best film. However, the serio-comic approach didn't work entirely for me. I did not connect with it the way I did with other great films by the director, such as "Rashomon" or "High and Low."
In addition, the DVD transfer is problematic. A hissing sound can be heard throughout the movie, and the film just wasn't cleaned up the way it should have been before being transferred. Finally, the DVD includes no extras, save for the original trailer for "Yojimbo." Overall, the film is quite good although not Kurosawa's best, and the packaging is below par.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Japanese western!, August 5, 2006
Akira Kurosawa is one of the most talented and beloved Japanese directors to cross over into the western market. Yojimbo illustrates why. Shot in heavily contrasted black and white, Yojimbo is not only a beautiful film but an interesting cultural portrait and a psychological tale of conflict. The talented Toshiro Mifune in his prime plays the lead and Tatsuya Nakadai is notable as the villain obsessed with his gun.
Yojimbo means bodyguard. It is the 1860's and out-of-work samurai wander the country. The hero of the piece is a nameless and scruffy looking character. But his swaggering catlike grace, along with his characteristic shoulder shrugging walk, reveals his muscular strength and lighting speed with the sword. This charismatic ruffian arrives at a village that appears to be under siege. Villagers peer from behind blinds as he enters, and a breeze blows fallen leaves in the empty streets.
Our hero learns the village is in the middle of a gang war. He becomes a trickster figure who pits the gangs against one another and brings the problem to a conclusion--after demonstrating his superiority both in fighting and in intelligence.
This highly enjoyable period piece is not only a classic story but a view into Japanese cultural heritage. A must see for film buffs since many directors refer to this film. It is a great film for anyone just to see Mifune's visceral performance. Sergio Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars" was an unauthorized remake which resulted in legal action. It is interesting to note that the plot for Yojimbo was based on a Dashiell Hammett story, Red Harvest. In addition Kurosawa stated his inspiration for the film was a noir detective thriller called "The Glass Key" starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake. Apparently a scene where the hero is getting beaten in "Yojimbo" is from the exact same scene from "Glass Key", copied shot by shot. Kurosawa was also a big western fan and some of the plot as well as shooting angles are influenced by American Westerns.
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