CINEXA

Yojimbo

Sanjuro, a wandering samurai enters a rural town in nineteenth century Japan. After learning from the innkeeper that the town is divided between two gangsters, he plays one side off against the other. His efforts are complicated by the arrival of the wily Unosuke, the son of one of the gangsters, who owns a revolver. Unosuke has Sanjuro beaten after he reunites an abducted woman with her husband and son, then massacres his father's opponents. During the slaughter, the samurai escapes with the help of the innkeeper; but while recuperating at a nearby temple, he learns of innkeeper's abduction by Unosuke, and returns to the town to confront him. Use this page to compare cast context, genre fit (Action, Drama, Thriller), release year 1961, and whether this film matches tonight's mood.

Yojimbo poster on CINEXA

Story of Yojimbo

Sanjuro, a wandering samurai enters a rural town in nineteenth century Japan. After learning from the innkeeper that the town is divided between two gangsters, he plays one side off against the other. His efforts are complicated by the arrival of the wily Unosuke, the son of one of the gangsters, who owns a revolver. Unosuke has Sanjuro beaten after he reunites an abducted woman with her husband and son, then massacres his father's opponents. During the slaughter, the samurai escapes with the help of the innkeeper; but while recuperating at a nearby temple, he learns of innkeeper's abduction by Unosuke, and returns to the town to confront him.

Use this page to compare cast context, genre fit (Action, Drama, Thriller), release year 1961, and whether this film matches tonight's mood.

Title facts

  • Type Movie
  • Release year 1961
  • Released 13 Sep 1961
  • Runtime 110 minutes
  • Content rating Not Rated
  • IMDb rating IMDb 8.2/10 from 141,960 votes
  • Metascore 93/100
  • Genres Action, Drama, Thriller
  • Languages Japanese
  • Countries Japan

Cast

Toshirô Mifune, Eijirô Tôno, Tatsuya Nakadai

Direction and writing

Directed by: Akira Kurosawa

Written by: Akira Kurosawa, Ryûzô Kikushima

Awards and recognition

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 5 wins & 2 nominations total

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