Sanjuro - Criterion Collection

Sanjuro - Criterion Collection


Starring:Toshir么 Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Keiju Kobayashi, Yuzo Kayama, Akihiko Hirata, Reiko Dan, Takashi Shimura, Kamatari Fujiwara, Takako Irie, Masao Shimizu, Y没nosuke It么, Akira Kubo, Kenzo Matsui, Hiroshi Tachikawa, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Kunie Tanaka, Tatsuhiko Hari, Tatsuyoshi Ehara
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Studio: Criterion
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Akira Kurosawa's sequel to Yojimbo is more lighthearted and less cynical, a rousing adventure with Toshir么 Mifune reprising his role as the scruffy mercenary who becomes an unlikely big brother to a troupe of nine naive samurai. Shuffling into a secret meeting where the proud young men discuss the graft choking their clan, Mifune's Sanjuro scratches his scraggly beard and distractedly rubs his neck like some common peasant while giving them advice on appearances and truths: "People aren't what they seem," he warns the dubious lads. "Be careful." Naturally they aren't, and Sanjuro grudgingly adopts the well-meaning but hopelessly ill-equipped heroes, giving the starry-eyed youths a series of lessons in real-world honor and respect while saving their skins from reckless attacks and impulsive plans. It isn't the subtlest of Kurosawa's films--the repetitious lessons and speeches delivered to the thickheaded samurai are rather obvious--but it's one of his most entertaining. Mifune, gruffly at ease with the boys, is hilariously discomforted in the presence of a cultured lady, who sees through his shaggy exterior and imparts a little wisdom of her own. Mifune bounds into action in a number of impressive sword fights--wonderfully choreographed lightning-quick battles in which Mifune leaps all over the widescreen image--but an increasing sense of waste, of futility, hangs over the action scenes, culminating in a tense but meaningless duel of honor. The accompanying trailer on the DVD features brief behind-the-scenes glimpses of Kurosawa directing Mifune through an action sequence. --Sean Axmaker
Description
Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed Sanjuro. In this companion piece to Yojimbo, jaded samurai Sanjuro 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. Criterion is proud to present Sanjuro in a gorgeous Tohoscope transfer.
Yojimbo & Sanjuro - Two Films By Akira Kurosawa - Criterion Collection
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • It's alright
  • Two prime examples of the mastery of Kurosawa in one great set!
  • The Incomparable Toshiro Mifune
  • !!!!Great Box set!!!!
  • Sterling Prints
 Yojimbo & Sanjuro - Two Films By Akira Kurosawa - Criterion Collection
Starring: Toshirô Mifune , Tatsuya Nakadai , Keiju Kobayashi , Yuzo Kayama , and Akihiko Hirata
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
ClassicsClassics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Japan | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
JapaneseJapanese | By Original Language | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
Hirata, AkihikoHirata, Akihiko | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kayama, YuzoKayama, Yuzo | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kubo, AkiraKubo, Akira | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Nakadai, TatsuyaNakadai, Tatsuya | ( N ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Shimura, TakashiShimura, Takashi | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Tanaka, KunieTanaka, Kunie | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kurosawa, AkiraKurosawa, Akira | ( K ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
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( Y )( Y ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Seven Samurai - Criterion Collection - 3-Disc Remastered Edition
  2. Sansho the Bailiff - Criterion Collection
  3. The Third Man - Criterion Collection (2-Disc Edition)
  4. Army of Shadows - Criterion Collection
  5. Burmese Harp - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B000K0YM0Y
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Amazon.com

After Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo was released in 1961, the samurai film would never be the same. It's difficult for latter-day Western audiences to fully appreciate just how revolutionary Kurosawa's film was in its time; it had the same kind of popular impact that Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction had 33 years later, which is to say, it completely revolutionized its genre, and its influence continues to this day. With an emphasis on dark, delicious comedy, Kurosawa deliberately set out to overturn the conventions of chambara--or swordplay film--and he began by casting the great Toshiro Mifune in the role that would define his career. Unlike the samurai of previous films (including Kurosawa's own masterpiece, Seven Samurai), Sanjuro was an unkempt, down-and-out drifter, a masterless ronin and with time on his hands and nowhere to go. When he chances upon a corrupt, terror-stricken village where clashing merchants are engaged in a ruthless range war, Sanjuro amuses himself by playing both ends against the middle, offering his services as yojimbo (bodyguard) to both sides, then standing back to watch all hell break loose. It's a perfect game of wily deception, hugely popular with Japanese moviegoers as Mifune's performance gained iconic status. Yojimbo's international success was no less impressive; it eventually inspired two noteworthy remakes (Sergio Leone's spaghetti Western A Fistful of Dollars in 1964, and Walter Hill's mobster interpretation, Last Man Standing, in 1996), and remains one of Kurosawa's most popular classics.

A sequel was inevitable, and Kurosawa responded to public demand as only a true artist would, with the equally impressive Sanjuro, quite different from Yojimbo while allowing Mifune to reprise his signature role with a lighter comedic touch. This time, Sanjuro is recruited by a group of young, idealistic samurai to eliminate corruption in their clan, and in the process he completely subverts their overly reverent notions of "proper" samurai behavior. And while both Yojimbo and Sanjuro were milestones in movie violence (featuring the spurting geysers of arterial blood that would become a staple of chambara from this point forward), the calmer, more comically subdued Sanjuro actually boasts a higher body count, and both films rank among the finest examples of Kurosawa's peerless mastery of action.

The Criterion Collection's double-disc set is a must-have for any serious cinephile. Both films (also available separately) are presented with all-new, fully restored high-definition digital transfers, representing (as in the case of Seven Samurai) a significant improvement over Criterion's previous DVD releases. Both films feature full-length commentaries by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince (with eloquent emphasis on camera movement and composition) in addition to retrospective documentaries culled from the priceless Japanese Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create, featuring illuminating interviews with many of Kurosawa's closest collaborators. Theatrical trailers and behind-the-scenes photo galleries are also included, along with new-and-improved subtitles, insightful booklet essays by critics Michael Sragow and Alexander Sesonske, and rarely seen production notes by Kurosawa and members of his casts & crew. With this two-disc reissue, Criterion's previous releases of Yojimbo and Sanjuro should now be considered officially obsolete. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars It's alright.......2007-05-02

After seeing Seven Samurai, this movie is OK, I was hoping more out of it, but it's OK.

5 out of 5 stars Two prime examples of the mastery of Kurosawa in one great set!.......2007-03-12

The Clint Eastwood western A Fistful Of Dollars is the better known version of Akira Kurosawa's wonderful Yojimbo, but no matter how familiar you think you are with the plot of the Eastwood movie, Yojimbo has several surprises and cinematic treats (and special features) in store for you. Intrigue and conspiracy are two themes of Yojimbo and Sanjuro, the sequel which is also packaged in this wonderfully produced set, but in addition to the plot twists and skullduggery, there are thrilling and lightning-fast displays of samurai swordsmanship. Like all great movies, though, both Yojimbo and Sanjuro have elements of all kinds of storytelling, and this Criterion Collection edition puts these two excellent films on DVD in an excellent transfer. Worth the money, and an excellent addition to my movie collection!

5 out of 5 stars The Incomparable Toshiro Mifune.......2007-03-09

Out of all of the incomparable Toshiro Mifune's films, Yojimbo and Sanjuro are possibly the most fun. Mifune certainly seems to be enjoying himself as he glowers his way through both films. If you are a fan of any kind of Chambara films you will almost certainly have seen these films previously. However, the presentation of these new Criterion editions is superb and the extra's are first rate. Yojimbo of course is the basis for Sergio Leone's Italian Westerns with Clint Eastwood, but I perfer the Japanese original. Kurasawa's direction if first rate as usual. The set is strongly recommended for anyone who has even a passing interest in the Chambara or "samurai" type film.

5 out of 5 stars !!!!Great Box set!!!!.......2007-03-09

If you are a classic samurai film and Kurosawa fan owning this set is a must!

5 out of 5 stars Sterling Prints.......2007-03-09

Two of Kurosawa's best have been re-released in pristine prints that convey the genius of the director and the richness of his cinematic vision.
Akira Kurosawa - 4 Samurai Classics (Seven Samurai / The Hidden Fortress / Yojimbo / Sanjuro) - Criterion Collection
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 4 Classics in a box set? Priceless!
  • To the Criterion Collector.....
  • Awesome movies, but way too expensive.
  • Kurosawa Movies
  • Don't pass it up
 Akira Kurosawa - 4 Samurai Classics (Seven Samurai / The Hidden Fortress / Yojimbo / Sanjuro) - Criterion Collection
Starring: Takashi Shimura , Toshirô Mifune , Yoshio Inaba , Seiji Miyaguchi , and Minoru Chiaki
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
Samurai FilmsSamurai Films | By Theme | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Japan | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
ClassicsClassics | Japan | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
Samurai FilmsSamurai Films | Japan | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
JapaneseJapanese | By Original Language | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
Kimura, IsaoKimura, Isao | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Mifune, ToshiroMifune, Toshiro | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Shimura, TakashiShimura, Takashi | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kurosawa, AkiraKurosawa, Akira | ( K ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
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Akira KurosawaAkira Kurosawa | By Director | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
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Similar Items:
  1. Rashomon - Criterion Collection
  2. Ran - Criterion Collection
  3. Samurai Trilogy Box Set - Criterion Collection
  4. Throne of Blood - Criterion Collection
  5. Kagemusha - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B00006IUI5
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Amazon.com

Leading off the set of four Akira Kurosawa classics is Seven Samurai (1954), unanimously hailed as one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of the motion picture. It was the inspiration for countless films modeled after its basic premise, but has never been surpassed in terms of sheer power of emotion, kinetic energy, and dynamic character development. The story is set in the 1600s, when the residents of a small Japanese village seek protection against repeated attacks by a band of marauding thieves and hire seven unemployed "ronin" (masterless samurai), including a boastful swordsman (Toshiro Mifune), who is actually a farmer's son desperately seeking glory and acceptance. The climactic battle remains one of the most breathtaking sequences ever filmed and one of Kurosawa's crowning cinematic achievements.

In another of the many Kurosawa-Mifune collaborations, The Hidden Fortress (1958) tells the story of a warrior and a princess trying against all odds to return to their homeland with their fortune. Along the way, they are simultaneously assisted and thwarted by two itinerant and not-too-bright farmers with their own designs on the treasure. Frequently cited for its thematic influences on Star Wars, The Hidden Fortress combines an epic tale of struggle and honor with modern comic sensibilities.

The partly comic Yojimbo (1961) was inspired by the American Western genre. Mifune plays a drifting samurai for hire who plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Yojimbo is striking for its unorthodox treatment of violence and morality, reserving judgment on the actions of its main character and instead presenting an entertaining tale with humor and much visual excitement. One of the inspirations for the spaghetti Westerns of director Sergio Leone and the 1996 Bruce Willis vehicle Last Man Standing, this film offers insight into a director who influenced American films even as he was influenced by them. The 1963 sequel, Sanjuro, is more lighthearted and less cynical, a rousing adventure with Mifune becoming an unlikely big brother to a troupe of nine naive samurai. It isn't the subtlest of Kurosawa's films, but it's one of his most entertaining.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars 4 Classics in a box set? Priceless!.......2006-11-06

I was thinking about purchasing all four of these movies, but to have them together in a box set is a beautiful thing.
I will not bore you with the reviews of these movies, those who love Akira Kurosawa movies sees the stories closely matching those of Shakespeare, a Clint Eastwood Western, and Star Wars.
For the price and what you get, it's a steal.

5 out of 5 stars To the Criterion Collector............2006-09-14

Buy now as this set is going out of print.... Don't say I didn't tell you so.

2 out of 5 stars Awesome movies, but way too expensive........2006-03-13

Awesome movies, but way too expensive for the product itself.

First, I bought it at a reduced priced, since it was left sitting on a shelve collecting dust for a few years in the store. They dropped the price from a initial $200 Can (around $150 U.S.), to $149 Can (around $110 U.S.), and that was the cheapest price I could find it in my city and by far. A few of the stores told me that their cost was around $149 Can, so it was able to buy it at around cost. Considering that, it was a bargain, so I got lucky to start with.

Now the movies, they are awesome, and after watching them all in two days, I felt sad, sad at Hollywood and the current level of movie making, after tasting a piece of history, with movies that are deep, funny, either deals with issues (Seven Samurai and Hidden Fortress) or don't (Yojimbo and Sanjuro), they are all movie gems. But we can also be realistic here, seven Samurai in my opinion is the real champion in this set, it has everything, it's epic, yet personal, it's deep, yet sometime funny, but always powerful and superb.

Now to the quality of the disk, that where it's hard to tell, these are old movies. But something struck me as odd, Seven Samurai (7S), was done around 10 yrs before Yojimbo and Sanjuro but looks and sound better, obviously, they cleaned it out a little before putting it to DVD, but then, if Yojimbo and Sanjuro where made 10 yrs later, someone should expect at least a equal quality, if not better then the 7S, but it's not the case, especially Yojimbo is painful to watch, the sound track has a loud background hiss for at least half of the movie, scratches as big as a straw that last a full min multiple times, the contrast and brightness is out of wack in half the scenes, it's a painful experience, you tell yourself how great the movie is, but is it ever ugly to watch.

So far I would give it 4 stars, why then I give it 2?

It's down to price vs quality and extras. No extras what so ever beside the theater trailer of each movie, and a commentary track for 7S, then nothing. So Criterion in my mind had two choice, drop the price to 1/3 to 1/2 of what it is now, or pick a better original copy to bring on DVD, clean it, and add extras, selling it to the same price it is now, but they did neither. They used for Yojimbo, a terribly copy, add nothing, and charge full Criterion price, BAD !!! So in the end, one fell like being robbed by Ronins. In my case, I wanted to see those movies, and own 7S and this box set was the only way to go about doing this, and in the end, I praise the movie, the acting, the story, the camera work, everything, except Criterion DVD who brought those movies it North America, they dropped the ball on this one.

So 0 stars for Criterion and there DVD product (in this case) and 4 stars for the movie themselves so my end review is 2 stars.

5 out of 5 stars Kurosawa Movies.......2006-01-31

Every one who likes Cenema, should see/have this collection by the great One Akira Kurosawa.

5 out of 5 stars Don't pass it up.......2006-01-26

Kurosawa is not just considered a great japanese director - he's considered one of the best the world has known.
Samurai are a passion for me anyway - however, kurosawa brings them to life like no other.
I sometimes wish he were working today with the technology available, but it's not a degradation of what he did at all.

Details he pays attention to are easily missed the first time around and frequent watchings of these films with bring more to your eyes.

Yojimbo's first encounter with the blackgards and braggarts - the wanted men in the town, is ingenius and thrilling. Mifune plays the part so comfortably you can be lead to imagine he lived in his kimono.
His demeanor is so casual and calm that you could fear him just through his confidence.
It's something to take to heart. No real warrior needs to brag, nor does he threaten.
Right out of the Tao te ching.

Awright enough of that!

With the hidden fortress you can really see Luca's inspiration for Star Wars. And also, the female lead for every anime ever created afterward.

but my favorite is the seven samurai later to be remade as the magnificient seven in the west (what is it with the west and their inability to accept foreign films?).

the old samurai who in the opening sequence plays a monk to rescue a trapped woman gives you the personality of a man who puts all at risk for the right. And teaches a motley band of characters to do the same.

Every good fortress needs a weakness. :p

ENJOY
Sanjuro - Criterion Collection
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sanjuro
  • Great Film
  • Sanjuro DVD
  • fantastic adventure with lot of hidden humorous moments
  • Fine balance
 Sanjuro - Criterion Collection
Starring: Toshirô Mifune , Tatsuya Nakadai , Keiju Kobayashi , Yuzo Kayama , and Akihiko Hirata
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
ClassicsClassics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
Costume AdventuresCostume Adventures | By Theme | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Martial Arts | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Japan | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
Action & AdventureAction & Adventure | Japan | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
JapaneseJapanese | By Original Language | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
AdventureAdventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
Hirata, AkihikoHirata, Akihiko | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kayama, YuzoKayama, Yuzo | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kubo, AkiraKubo, Akira | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Nakadai, TatsuyaNakadai, Tatsuya | ( N ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Shimura, TakashiShimura, Takashi | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Tanaka, KunieTanaka, Kunie | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kurosawa, AkiraKurosawa, Akira | ( K ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
AllAll | Criterion Collection | Stores | DVD | Video
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JapanJapan | Asian Cinema | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
Akira KurosawaAkira Kurosawa | By Director | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
JapaneseJapanese | By Original Language | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
( S )( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Yojimbo - Criterion Collection
  2. The Hidden Fortress - Criterion Collection
  3. Seven Samurai - Criterion Collection - 3-Disc Remastered Edition
  4. Kagemusha - Criterion Collection
  5. Throne of Blood - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B000K0YM0O
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Amazon.com

Akira Kurosawa's sequel to Yojimbo is more lighthearted and less cynical, a rousing adventure with Toshirô Mifune reprising his role as the scruffy mercenary who becomes an unlikely big brother to a troupe of nine naive samurai. Shuffling into a secret meeting where the proud young men discuss the graft choking their clan, Mifune's Sanjuro scratches his scraggly beard and distractedly rubs his neck like some common peasant while giving them advice on appearances and truths: "People aren't what they seem," he warns the dubious lads. "Be careful." Naturally they aren't, and Sanjuro grudgingly adopts the well-meaning but hopelessly ill-equipped heroes, giving the starry-eyed youths a series of lessons in real-world honor and respect while saving their skins from reckless attacks and impulsive plans. It isn't the subtlest of Kurosawa's films--the repetitious lessons and speeches delivered to the thickheaded samurai are rather obvious--but it's one of his most entertaining. Mifune, gruffly at ease with the boys, is hilariously discomforted in the presence of a cultured lady, who sees through his shaggy exterior and imparts a little wisdom of her own. Mifune bounds into action in a number of impressive sword fights--wonderfully choreographed lightning-quick battles in which Mifune leaps all over the widescreen image--but an increasing sense of waste, of futility, hangs over the action scenes, culminating in a tense but meaningless duel of honor. The accompanying trailer on the DVD features brief behind-the-scenes glimpses of Kurosawa directing Mifune through an action sequence. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Sanjuro.......2007-06-28

"Sanjuro" may not match its predecessor in sheer virtuosity, but it's actually more fun, thanks to Mifune's comic scenery-chewing, and the innately humorous contrast between the clean, proper youths and their unlikely, unkempt protector. Sanjuro's savvy counsel to the virtuous but impulsive youths ("Things are not always what they seem") gets repeated and borne out through various developments which eventually help restore justice to the land. Bottom-line: In this entry, Mifune himself really warms to "Sanjuro," and as a result, so do we.

5 out of 5 stars Great Film.......2007-06-23

The sequel to Kurosawa's 1961 Yojimbo, Sanjuro picks up with our nameless hero in a new town helping to solve another family argument turned violent. Sanjuro in many ways has more happening in it than Yojimbo. Sure there are the great fighting sequences and some truly beautiful landscape shots but there's more direct humor reminiscent of Toshiro in Seven Samurai. Likewise, women have more of an emphasized role in this film and the women's nature of traditional Japanese attitudes juxtaposed with the samurai mentality creates some great moments and metaphors.

5 out of 5 stars Sanjuro DVD.......2007-05-28

One of Akira Kurosawa's classic movies that redefined the Samurai genre. I especially liked the commentary; it gives much information on the movie, actors, and imaginative camera shots that Kurosawa uses.

5 out of 5 stars fantastic adventure with lot of hidden humorous moments.......2007-05-11

this is another very entertaining film in black and white. but as it was shot in two tones, the lighting technique of this movie was a disaster from the very beginning. there were many night scenes in this movie, but it all looked like in day time. in the temple, barn and other places, the lighting was too bright. when they crawled over the wall, the whole wall was as bright as silver screen. too much light had made their shadows so sharp and so long in the bright streets and lanes. when they went to the chamberlain's residence, the interior lights were at least 1000 watts bright, the garden was as bright as in daytime. this was a major overlook or...well, did i adjust the brightness on my dvd player too much?

5 out of 5 stars Fine balance.......2007-04-25

There is a fine balance between humour and action and the cinematography supports this elegantly.
Sanjuro - Criterion Collection
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sanjuro
  • Great Film
  • Sanjuro DVD
  • fantastic adventure with lot of hidden humorous moments
  • Fine balance
 Sanjuro - Criterion Collection
Starring: Toshirô Mifune , Tatsuya Nakadai , Keiju Kobayashi , Yuzo Kayama , and Akihiko Hirata
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
Costume AdventuresCostume Adventures | By Theme | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Martial Arts | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
Action & AdventureAction & Adventure | By Genre | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
Costume AdventuresCostume Adventures | By Theme | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
Samurai FilmsSamurai Films | By Theme | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Japan | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
DramaDrama | Japan | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
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JapaneseJapanese | By Original Language | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
AdventureAdventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
Hirata, AkihikoHirata, Akihiko | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kayama, YuzoKayama, Yuzo | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kubo, AkiraKubo, Akira | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Nakadai, TatsuyaNakadai, Tatsuya | ( N ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Shimura, TakashiShimura, Takashi | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Tanaka, KunieTanaka, Kunie | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kurosawa, AkiraKurosawa, Akira | ( K ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
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Similar Items:
  1. Yojimbo - Criterion Collection
  2. The Hidden Fortress - Criterion Collection
  3. Seven Samurai - Criterion Collection - 3-Disc Remastered Edition
  4. Kagemusha - Criterion Collection
  5. Throne of Blood - Criterion Collection

ASIN: 0780022491
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Amazon.com

Akira Kurosawa's sequel to Yojimbo is more lighthearted and less cynical, a rousing adventure with Toshirô Mifune reprising his role as the scruffy mercenary who becomes an unlikely big brother to a troupe of nine naive samurai. Shuffling into a secret meeting where the proud young men discuss the graft choking their clan, Mifune's Sanjuro scratches his scraggly beard and distractedly rubs his neck like some common peasant while giving them advice on appearances and truths: "People aren't what they seem," he warns the dubious lads. "Be careful." Naturally they aren't, and Sanjuro grudgingly adopts the well-meaning but hopelessly ill-equipped heroes, giving the starry-eyed youths a series of lessons in real-world honor and respect while saving their skins from reckless attacks and impulsive plans. It isn't the subtlest of Kurosawa's films--the repetitious lessons and speeches delivered to the thickheaded samurai are rather obvious--but it's one of his most entertaining. Mifune, gruffly at ease with the boys, is hilariously discomforted in the presence of a cultured lady, who sees through his shaggy exterior and imparts a little wisdom of her own. Mifune bounds into action in a number of impressive sword fights--wonderfully choreographed lightning-quick battles in which Mifune leaps all over the widescreen image--but an increasing sense of waste, of futility, hangs over the action scenes, culminating in a tense but meaningless duel of honor. The accompanying trailer on the DVD features brief behind-the-scenes glimpses of Kurosawa directing Mifune through an action sequence. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed Sanjuro. In this companion piece to Yojimbo, jaded samurai Sanjuro 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. Criterion is proud to present Sanjuro in a gorgeous Tohoscope transfer.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Sanjuro.......2007-06-28

"Sanjuro" may not match its predecessor in sheer virtuosity, but it's actually more fun, thanks to Mifune's comic scenery-chewing, and the innately humorous contrast between the clean, proper youths and their unlikely, unkempt protector. Sanjuro's savvy counsel to the virtuous but impulsive youths ("Things are not always what they seem") gets repeated and borne out through various developments which eventually help restore justice to the land. Bottom-line: In this entry, Mifune himself really warms to "Sanjuro," and as a result, so do we.

5 out of 5 stars Great Film.......2007-06-23

The sequel to Kurosawa's 1961 Yojimbo, Sanjuro picks up with our nameless hero in a new town helping to solve another family argument turned violent. Sanjuro in many ways has more happening in it than Yojimbo. Sure there are the great fighting sequences and some truly beautiful landscape shots but there's more direct humor reminiscent of Toshiro in Seven Samurai. Likewise, women have more of an emphasized role in this film and the women's nature of traditional Japanese attitudes juxtaposed with the samurai mentality creates some great moments and metaphors.

5 out of 5 stars Sanjuro DVD.......2007-05-28

One of Akira Kurosawa's classic movies that redefined the Samurai genre. I especially liked the commentary; it gives much information on the movie, actors, and imaginative camera shots that Kurosawa uses.

5 out of 5 stars fantastic adventure with lot of hidden humorous moments.......2007-05-11

this is another very entertaining film in black and white. but as it was shot in two tones, the lighting technique of this movie was a disaster from the very beginning. there were many night scenes in this movie, but it all looked like in day time. in the temple, barn and other places, the lighting was too bright. when they crawled over the wall, the whole wall was as bright as silver screen. too much light had made their shadows so sharp and so long in the bright streets and lanes. when they went to the chamberlain's residence, the interior lights were at least 1000 watts bright, the garden was as bright as in daytime. this was a major overlook or...well, did i adjust the brightness on my dvd player too much?

5 out of 5 stars Fine balance.......2007-04-25

There is a fine balance between humour and action and the cinematography supports this elegantly.

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