Sanjuro (Tsubaki Sanjûrô) (1962)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  Sunjuro is not as good as Yojimbo but it's pretty close. Toshiro Mifune plays it with a little more sensitivity but is just as cool a character. I though visually it was a much tidier film too, the scene with the flowers floating down the stream was very beautiful. The addition… More
  Sunjuro is not as good as Yojimbo but it's pretty close. Toshiro Mifune plays it with a little more sensitivity but is just as cool a character. I though visually it was a much tidier film too, the scene with the flowers floating down the stream was very beautiful. The addition of comedy doesn't always work but for the best part it's welcome. Nothing compares to the great final scene though, it is quite unexpected, very exciting and typical of Kurosawa mastery.

• xGary X

  
  Toshiro Mifune's wayward samurai returns to help out in the kidnapping of a statesman by a corrupt official intent on discrediting him to cover up his own crimes. Sanjuro was made hot on the heels of Yojimbo, and is obvious proof that a studio trying to cash in on the commercial… More
  Toshiro Mifune's wayward samurai returns to help out in the kidnapping of a statesman by a corrupt official intent on discrediting him to cover up his own crimes. Sanjuro was made hot on the heels of Yojimbo, and is obvious proof that a studio trying to cash in on the commercial success of a film by throwing together a rehash is far from a new phenomenon. The fact is, Sanjuro just copies the formula of the original with a bit more crowd pleasing action and humour and a bit less intelligence and characterisation. But let's face it, the combination of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune was never going to disappoint no matter what the reasons for their collaboration and Sanjuro is yet another beautifully crafted and hugely entertaining samurai movie. It's mildly comic approach does not capture the dramatic gravitas of the original film but Kurosawa's eye is still perfection and Mifune's performance still a powerhouse of charisma. In fact despite the commercialism of the film, the final scene is still pure Kurosawa through and through. Cash in it may have been, but it's still head and shoulders above the vast majority of the herd.

• First L

  
  Akira Kurosawa's sequel (of sorts) to Yojimbo finds the hero (Toshiro Mifune) once again coming to the aid of hapless ineffectuals. This time it's a clan of samurai who suspect there are traitors in their rank. The nine men on the side of justice are bungling greenhorns… More
  Akira Kurosawa's sequel (of sorts) to Yojimbo finds the hero (Toshiro Mifune) once again coming to the aid of hapless ineffectuals. This time it's a clan of samurai who suspect there are traitors in their rank. The nine men on the side of justice are bungling greenhorns seemingly incapable of doing anything themselves. Sanjuro almost has to carry them through the movie like infants in his arms as they mess up one mission after the other. In fact, Sanjuro is basically a superman, and maybe a metaphor for God, especially when, in one scene they doubt Sanjuro's loyalty and it winds up being a costly mistake for them. But on a purely visceral level, the movie, like most Kurosawa films, is highly entertaining. The lady of the house, who doesn't care for violence and rough language is a comedic highlight, in contrast to Sanjuro's exasperation. Kurosawa is great at making well-rounded, entertaining movies with great characters and engaging storylines. Toshiro Mifune is the John Wayne of Samurai movies, only more a method actor than the Duke (he doesn't pull his punches or his sword slices). Check out the bonus documentary on the criterion collection disc. It's well worth it.

• Chris W

  
  It may be lighter in tone, a little funnier, and not as good as its predecessor Yojimbo, but Sanjuro is still a very good and highly entertaining film. Parts of it seem a little muddled, but all in all, it's a fun samurai film with a great message and cool characters. I've… More
  It may be lighter in tone, a little funnier, and not as good as its predecessor Yojimbo, but Sanjuro is still a very good and highly entertaining film. Parts of it seem a little muddled, but all in all, it's a fun samurai film with a great message and cool characters. I've seen 4 of Kurosawa's films now, and none of them have missed the mark. It's a shame that there aren't really any more directors like him or films like his being made in this day and age.

• Cassandra M

  
  Akira Kurosawa is probably the best Director in the entire History of film-making. He has not been that prolific given the amount of time he has spent making films, but many of these have subsequently been remade - Seven Samurai became the magnificent seven. Yoijimbo (the prequel to… More
  Akira Kurosawa is probably the best Director in the entire History of film-making. He has not been that prolific given the amount of time he has spent making films, but many of these have subsequently been remade - Seven Samurai became the magnificent seven. Yoijimbo (the prequel to this one) became A fistful of dollars - and more recently last man standing. The hidden Fortress became Star Wars. Sanjuro marked the return of Toshiro Mifune as the Sardonic Ronin from Yoijimbo. Yet again, the photography is excellent - the period costumes and buildings beautiful to look at even in black and white. From one of the first scenes, in the grounds outside the Shrine, Mifune shows a 500% improvement in the art of Kenjutso - he must have been practicing night and day! But it is the character of Sanjuro itself that makes the film so absorbing. He is on the surface, a dirty, disrespectful abrasive man - but his deeds portray him as a hero - someone who once was a shining example of a Samurai and despite being put through the ringer still holds to a deeply rooted code of honor. When this shows however, he is most anxious to cover it up again..... The film involves a power struggle within a small city in Japan between the old faction and the new power-hungry one. It deals with false perceptions and truth. Two of the tenets that are at the heart of Kurosawa's films. This is a Gem - rent it - if you can, Buy it! <a href="http://s344.photobucket.com/albums/p328/Nemka_Jay/?action=view&current=21390058_l.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p328/Nemka_Jay/21390058_l.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Stella D

  
  i enjoyed this as much as yojimbo. it's a whole lot of fun. mifune is born to play comedy i think. such a ham but you can't take your eyes off him

• Tsubaki S

  
  This is going to sound repetitive but yeah, good fun, but not as solid as Yojimbo. Also, Tatsuya Nakadai looks more bad-ass with hair than without. Mifune as always shines in the role of the sarcastic loner, damn, Japanese cinema seriously has no more actors like him or like Tatsuya… More
  This is going to sound repetitive but yeah, good fun, but not as solid as Yojimbo. Also, Tatsuya Nakadai looks more bad-ass with hair than without. Mifune as always shines in the role of the sarcastic loner, damn, Japanese cinema seriously has no more actors like him or like Tatsuya Nakadai. With some exceptions, these days it's all about teen idols that look like 12 year olds.

• danny d

  
  Tashiro Mifune with a semi-sequal to yojimbo, almost as good as yojimbo, this film integrates humor into the role of the wondering ronin. even though yojimbo was slightly better, you can see a progression in kurosawa's skills as a director. this is a great movie.

• Michael G

  
  Not quite Yojimbo but still good.

• Matthew Y

  
  Sanjuro is a by-proxy sequel to the great Yojimbo and it lacks the impact and graphic violence of it's predecessor for much of the films run-time. Giving a name and a personality to the man-with-no-name character was a mistake and the film suffers for it. The plot of Sanjuro… More
  Sanjuro is a by-proxy sequel to the great Yojimbo and it lacks the impact and graphic violence of it's predecessor for much of the films run-time. Giving a name and a personality to the man-with-no-name character was a mistake and the film suffers for it. The plot of Sanjuro training a couple would be soldiers is mildly entertaining and effective but not what we came to love about this character before..that is until the final scene. The film is mostly lighthearted and PG-13 till the final seconds when Sanjuro faces off against (and absolutely PONES) the main villain. As Sanjuro quietly walks away forever his apprentance's stare in shocked disbelief at the grim and ugly violence that they have just seen. The glamorous and exciting world of Sanjuro that they idolized has suddenly become real and cold to them and their naive innocence has been taken away forever. One of the few films I've ever seen where the first 99% of the run-time is OK but the final 1% is show-stopping and epic. One of the best pay-offs of all-time.

• Gevvy S

  
  A good sequel to Yojimbo. Kurosawa made it less dramatic and intense by adding more comedy and a bit more in the form of 9 rebellious young men who are led by Sanjuro. The film is all about action but interesting to follow. However, the film offers little depth, does not explore… More
  A good sequel to Yojimbo. Kurosawa made it less dramatic and intense by adding more comedy and a bit more in the form of 9 rebellious young men who are led by Sanjuro. The film is all about action but interesting to follow. However, the film offers little depth, does not explore psychology or human nature like Kurosawa's earlier films, and does not much in terms of organic and relatable character development. It is formulaic and offers little mental stimulation, except for the final fight scene between Sanjuro and Muroto is memorable and shocking. The ending is a cliched 'make peace, not war' speech. That being said the film is still the first of it's kind to offer such a character who can bring no holds barred action to the screen. It's an entertaining film and has some very enjoyable comedic moments.

• Chris B

  
  To date, this is one of my favorite Kurosawa films. Deep storytelling and great acting throughout. The film is humorous and at the same time deep and well paced. The final duel is one of the best moments in film!

• Bill C

  
  Like Eastwood, Mifune thrusts onto the screen and makes a statement. Youth and exuberance vs. Age and craftiness. In a naïve attempt to expose corruption in their clan 9 unproven young samurai approach their leader?s uncle who is managing the region as chamberlain while the lord is… More
  Like Eastwood, Mifune thrusts onto the screen and makes a statement. Youth and exuberance vs. Age and craftiness. In a naïve attempt to expose corruption in their clan 9 unproven young samurai approach their leader?s uncle who is managing the region as chamberlain while the lord is traveling. His uncle is aware of the corruption but also the risk involved in confronting the problem tells tears up his petition and tells him to leave it alone. The nephew feeling rebuffed takes his case to the corrupt local superintendent and explains his uncle did not take him seriously. Enter Mifune (Sanjuro) who listened to the nephews? summation of the action so far and gives his uninvited and unrequested take on the situation. He expained the superintendent did not invite you here to listen to your grievances he invited you here so he can kill you all in on swoop. The superintendent and his cronies and his lead henchman Muroto, are the main actors in this treachery and have to act quickly to cover -up. They plan to kill the nine young samurai and frame the chamberlain for the corruption. The middle of the movie involves conflicts where the 9 evaluate a situation propose a plan, Mifune listens to the plan proposes an alternate solution, he takes action the 9 samurai disagree after he?s left and mess-up his plan and Mifune has to save the day with hi Katana. The short coming of this movie is Kurosawa introduces the 9 samurai and then does no character development on them. They don?t even have names, just numbers. At 96 minutes this is a short film and the subtitles and action fly by a mile a minute plan on backing it up a few times.

• Anthony V

  
  Not Yojimbo, but still fun.

Read all 14 featured audience ratings