“The charm of this fascinating Toho production, stylishly directed by Akira Kurosawa, is the personality of the hero, powerfully played by Toshiro Mifune.”
In this sly companion piece to Yojimbo (screened on 30 May), jaded samurai Sanjuro (a snarlin’ n swaggerin’ Toshiro Mifune) helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a "proper" samurai on its ear. Less brazen in tone than its predecessor but equally entertaining, this classic character's return is a stand-alone masterpiece in its own right.
