Yojimbo

Like Seven Samurai, Yojimbo was Kurosawa's tribute to the widescreen action Westerns of John Ford, and was itself remade as a Western stolen lock, stock and barrel by Sergio Leone for A Fistful of Dollars (1964).

Played by the great Toshiro Mifune, the film's enigmatic samurai is a scruffy and itinerant warrior who wanders into a strange town and right into the middle of war between two clans. Showing his skills with the samurai sword within minutes of his arrival, he soon has the town's rival factions competing for his services.

Kurosawa's genius for storytelling combines with thrilling swordplay, a healthy dose of black humour, a soundtrack every bit as atmospheric and amusing as Ennio Morricone's, and a towering performance from Mifune, to make Yojimbo an irresistible widescreen action adventure.

Special features

Digitally remastered in High Definition

Optional audio commentary with film critic Philip Kemp

Original Japanese theatrical trailer

Sleeve notes by film historian and critic Philip Kemp

Japan | 1961 | black and white | Japanese language, with optional English subtitles | 106 minutes | DVD9 | original aspect ratio 2.35:1 | PCM mono audio (320kbps) | Region 2