Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yoko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada, Daisuke Kato, Seizburo Kawazu, Takashi Shimura, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Kyu Sazanka, Eijiro Tono
Certificate: PG
Genre: Samurai, Drama
Awards: None
Whilst many of Kurosawa's films have been influenced by Westerns (particularly those of John Ford), Yojimbo is definitely the one that takes the most from the genre. The empty land in the middle of a ruined town could not be more iconic. In this story, a nameless Ronin takes manipulates two rival gangs into destroying each other by playing for both sides. A plot that would be taken scene-for-scene by Sergio Leone when he made A Fistfull Of Dollars.The film itself has some beautiful black and white imagery and some brilliant action sequences. Kurosawa again shows he is the greatest director of weather with his use of wind in the tense climax. Overall, however, the film does not have as much to watch for as Seven Samurai or The Hidden Fortress. Whilst still a good film made by a master director, I would not rank it as one of Kurosawa's greatest pieces.
****Good
