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Yojimbo

Yojimbo

1961
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 50m
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Avg Percentile 76.86% from 3811 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(3811)
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Rated 20 Jan 2007
99
99th
Akira Kurosawa started the ground-breaking movie concept of the "anti-hero," played to absolute perfection by Toshiro Mifune as he uses sword fighting and political manipulation to force the two rival gangs to fight each other to death. Packed with larger than life characters whom you will never forget and teeming with Kurosawa's brilliant direction this movie is an absolute must for any film buff or samurai film fan.
Rated 14 Jul 2015
93
99th
Mifune puts in a masterful performance as the crafty ronin out-thinking and out-fighting some unpleasant criminal types. The direction, editing and camerawork are exceptionally good, and the score is very effective. I haven't absorbed the source material yet, but enjoy seeing how Yojimbo has influenced other films. This is a truly great piece of work, undercut with some lively humour, and very rewatchable. The sequel is pretty good as well...
Rated 04 Mar 2009
100
98th
Kurosawa's bloody-minded political parable about the struggle for supremacy in a godforsaken 17th-century rural village. The feudists on both sides are uniformly petty, pea-brained, and baboonish (the only thing protecting them from one another is their cowardice), and justice is done when an unemployed samurai wanders into their midst and capriciously slaughters them all.
Rated 21 Apr 2008
95
96th
Yojimbo is an extremely well made film. The anti hero who is played by Toshiro Mifune is such an awesome and deeply texturized character that its really hard not to appreciate him. The action is intense, as well as the great performances from Mifune, and the townsfolk altogether. One thing that makes Yojimbo so special is how the Sanjuro character disposes of his enemies. Not only using brawn, but brains as well. It is just extremely clever and action packed. Better than a Fistfull of dollars.
Rated 29 Jan 2008
100
99th
Brilliant acting by Mifune and timely anti-capitalist themes make this a masterpiece of the action movie genre. There are so many tensions: corruption vs morality, greed vs self-sacrifice, the old samurai order vs the new gangster chaos, even the sword vs the gun. It's hardly a surprise when the streets are eventually filled with dead bodies. Endlessly entertaining.
Rated 16 Sep 2011
92
98th
If this isn't your cup of tea then you shouldn't be allowed near tea, ever. An absolute, completely badass classic.
Rated 18 Mar 2009
10
97th
Nearly flawless and absolutely badass, Yojimbo evoked a wide range of indescribable feelings, that will linger in my mind for quite some time. Kurosawa's crafty direction and Mifune's spot on portrayal of the anti-hero are worth mentioning as well. This may be the most enjoyable film Kurosawa has ever made (and might I add, the best one). When I think of cinema in the future, I'll immediately think of Yojimbo. Highly recommended!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
98th
Mifune's great performance, dazzling camera compositions, wonderful score, and whiz-bang entertaining from start to finish. Perhaps the best pacing of any Kurosawa film. It really flies by and leaves you feeling completely satisfied.
Rated 06 Jul 2007
4
70th
Very entertaining and funny. This is my favorite Mifune performance, because he manages his usual dominant screen presence while also playing a more subtle character than his turns in, say, Seven Samurai or Rashomon. He's surprisingly restrained, especially given the nature of his character. As usual, Kurosawa is pitch-perfect behind the camera.
Rated 14 Feb 2010
9
93rd
Mifune is always a joy to watch and here his performance is subtle and restrained. If you are expecting the same guy from Seven Samurai you won't get it, it's almost like a different actor. This movie is endlessly ripped off and it's easy to see why, it's excellent. Love the music and it looks really beautiful.
Rated 29 Apr 2009
100
98th
Welp, see you later.
Rated 16 Jul 2008
98
99th
A beautifully shot Japanese crossover samurai film /spaghetti-western. Toshiro Mifune's acting is sublime as the indifferent but calculating Sanjuro. Korusawa makes every shot deliberate and significant and a story of a man at a crossroads after the collapse of the feudal system - perhaps mirroring Japan itself - is poignant and timeless. A sincere masterpiece.
Rated 04 Jun 2007
5
93rd
Important connective tissue, exhibiting the hallmarks of classic American westerns, transmogrifying them into a weird and whimsical tornado of violence from which Italians would subsequently fashion their own westerns, and furthermore bearing the standard for a golden age of sleek samurai films that would cascade out of Japan. Of course, all that historical context has been duly noted, as has its virtuoso style and full cast of animated characters. What more is there to be said?
Rated 09 May 2008
94
95th
The fact that it only took 3 years for a remake to get released says more than I can.
Rated 07 Dec 2019
93
96th
Honestly, not only am I not well versed in the 'classics', I am especially ignorant of most "foreign" films. That said, I'm pretty sure I've never seen a Japanese movie that wasn't weird. So it seemed odd when the last two I saw didn't have any giant robot fighting monsters or some kinky sex stuff, but instead were all like cinematic and stuff. However, I didn't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a film history class to figure out that it might have something to do with this Kurosawa fella.
Rated 07 Nov 2012
87
93rd
This one is one of Kurosawa's most celebrated movies, and there's nothing wrong with that supposition, it's fantastic. It's a clever plot, interesting, and Mifune is great as always.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
A brilliantly shot film from Kurosawa. One of the films that best highlights his flair for imagery. Combined with Mifune's wonderful performance, "Yojimbo" is one of Kurosawa's best.
Rated 10 Dec 2010
94
96th
As much as I love a Fistful of Dollars, Mifune's acting and Kurosawa's directing win out in the end. Mifune is amazing in the title role, with a completely different character from The Seven Samurai and arguably all the better for it. I see Clint owes a lot to this guy. The music is great, the dialogue is fantastic, and overall this is a movie that has aged extremely well. A well deserving classic.
Rated 04 Feb 2007
90
85th
Kurosawa doing a western homage...? Where do I sign up? I want to sign up. Give me a pen.
Rated 25 Feb 2011
99
97th
Extraordinary samurai film, doubling as western, clear inspiration for Leone's Dollars movies (especially FISTFUL). Mifune is extraordinary as wandering samurai with no loyalties to anyone; supporting cast of Japanese actors equally fine (love the ruthless matriach of one of the rival clans!) Kurosawa shows why he is considered one of the masters of the medium, with this impeccably shot, directed, edited and scored masterpiece. Extraordinary work.
Rated 21 Apr 2007
100
98th
It isn't the deepest or most beautiful Kurosawa, but it's my favorite Kurosawa piece bar none. Sanjuro is a straight-up hustler, often acting Janus-faced.
Rated 12 Jan 2009
99
92nd
yo, jimbo ! A masterpiece - nothing more, nothing less ... Kurosawa after all
Rated 09 Aug 2013
89
90th
Better than Seven Samurai in my opinion. The stranger was an incredible character, balancing ingenuity in swordsmanship and strategy, but I was more taken by Unosuke, the one with the pistol. I can't remember a character I wanted to punch more than him; he made me sick with how infatuated he was with his gun. A perfect representation of cowardice disguised by a mask of power. Perfect villains, great story, quality action, I loved it!
Rated 28 Mar 2019
87
96th
Kurosawa and Mifune are likely cinema's greatest collaborators. Mifune's character is the ultimate badass, who wields his cunning as deftly as his blade. Probably the most purely entertaining Kurosawa film of the ones I've had the pleasure to see.
Rated 12 Apr 2010
9
95th
Whilst it's not as sensationally epic as some of his more highly regarded films, it's an intriguing game of cat and mouse (possibly two cats and one mouse, if you like). Mifune is great in this one, as usual. His presence is at times astounding. He's not one for many words, but he delivers some classic, and indeed, highly influential lines. Again Kurosawa delivers, perhaps more minimalistic than usual, but the end result is still great to look at.
Rated 27 Jul 2013
65
83rd
Moral of the story: Never trust a samurai
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
97th
Quick, entertaining film. Mifune can act!
Rated 23 Jun 2009
99
99th
This movie has everything, and I loved everything it had. The action, humor, suspense, everything. The setting and characters are all very cool and fun to watch, and they are filmed beautifully. Mifune plays the part of Sanjuro the ronin to perfection. Yojimbo is the best samurai film ever. Sorry Seven Samurai.
Rated 02 Sep 2017
34
97th
Think of it as the prequel to every spaghetti western
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
90th
Funny, intense, action-packed masterpiece.
Rated 10 Feb 2012
82
91st
Man I wish they could have filmed this story in the time of guns.
Rated 31 Mar 2008
92
86th
This movie is baller. One of Mifune's best roles. You can see the inspiration for Sergio Leone's The Man With No Name. Everything about this film is fucking great, and the strategy used is classic (Pit your enemies against each other, let them destroy one another).
Rated 07 Mar 2011
70
53rd
Japanese samurai western... yeah why not.
Rated 29 Jun 2011
90
94th
In what very well may be the first action comedy ever made, Yojimbo is a darkly humorous tale about an anti-hero who plays two gangs off each other in an attempt to rid the town of both. Mifune is great as is Kurosawa's direction. The action was pretty good considering the time period, and the story was perfect. This would not be a bad choice for people wanting to watch there first Kurosawa flick, as it's easily the most watchable of this films.
Rated 15 Jan 2009
92
95th
Depends on the day, sometimes this is my favorite Akira Kurosawa...
Rated 09 Nov 2008
90
94th
Yet again timeless action by Kurosawa. Mifune is brilliant as one of the first anti-heroes ever.
Rated 28 Sep 2010
9
92nd
Is it wrong to prefer 'A Fistful of Dollars'? This is still a very good movie, I just happen to like the plot more in a cowboy environment then in a samurai one.
Rated 04 Jul 2012
99
98th
Filmed and financed entirely in Japan. The writer/director's Japanese. The protagonist is a samurai, the antagonists include sake brewers and geisha pimps. This is one of the greatest American crime films of all time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
94th
badass
Rated 08 Feb 2007
95
96th
Kurosawa + Mifune = a masterpiece every single time. Compelling storyline, classic western style, and tons of fun.
Rated 14 Mar 2007
100
96th
Mifune's best, for me. Seven Samurai is epic and innovative and all that, but nothing in there beats the way Mifune plays Sanjuro. Still my favorite Kurosawa movie.
Rated 12 Nov 2014
92
98th
Most fun to be had in Kurosawa's cinema. 100% inspired filmmaking all around with awesome score, great script, Mifune at his best, brilliant cinematography, lightning bolt action, witty comedy, impeccable directing, beautiful sets, fun surreal details, delightfully dark tone, iconic characters, spot on pacing, simple yet thrilling narrative... I could just go on and on but you get the point.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
60
47th
Not bad, but somehow I just don't care that much about this samurai stuff. Is Sanjuro *really* the first anti-hero, like another review here claims? Hasn't doctor7 ever seen _This Gun For Hire_ (1942)?
Rated 17 Sep 2008
100
90th
For those who see Yojimbo for the first time, after watching Sergio Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars" many times throughout the years, it is surprising to see how faithful a remake "Dollars" is. Story, main character (man with no name), and final showdown (wind blowing dusts and all) will never feel original. The fact is, Yojimbo is the original, and its influence over Leone's westerns or any following example of western genre is real.
Rated 21 Aug 2007
90
75th
I love Fist Full of Dollars, but I love Yojimbo considerably more! Well framed shots, excellent pacing, and a classic plot- amazing film making!
Rated 29 Jan 2010
92
89th
Mifune defines the samurai in this cynical thriller.
Rated 24 May 2015
85
87th
Mifune is exceptional as the mysterious anti-hero who cunningly plays two cowardly gangs against one another. The supporting cast excel in impressively distinctive roles and the cinematography is superb, and even though it's too drawn out at times, this makes the explosive action - most notably the spectacular finale - all the more satisfying. Kurosawa shows immense attention to detail throughout.
Rated 24 Aug 2015
95
97th
It is most definitely a masterpiece and should be seen by everyone for its expert use of frankly every aspect of film... Sight sounds score performance. So why no 100 from me? Because Im a monster and for overall entertainment value i still prefer Fistful of Dollars and Eastwood.
Rated 14 Apr 2010
95
97th
Classic film. Original badass. Clint Eastwood was good and all, but this is the original, and it's damn good.
Rated 22 May 2010
92
98th
For me it is Kurosawa's best movie. The character concept is great and Toshirô Mifune is absolutely stunning in his performance. Maybe he embodies the coolest guy in cinema history.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
98th
Superb samurai drama with solid characters, humor and action, highlighted by great performances from Tatsuya Nakadai and Toshiro Mifune. A classic picture which has been remade a half dozen times at least.
Rated 13 Sep 2013
92
98th
"Two coffins." Thud. "Make that three."
Rated 14 Jun 2007
95
94th
One of Kurosawa's greats.
Rated 25 Oct 2009
7
60th
Kurosawa makes something like Coen-Bros or Tarantino cinema where there isn't any soul in it. I don't feel fucking anything watching what few movies by him I've seen. But ah well, Mifune is cool and makes the whole thing enjoyable. I like gun vs. swords, that's good stuff.
Rated 30 Jan 2011
80
89th
Jesus Christ, this movie is confusing. Great, but confusing.
Rated 22 Feb 2014
7
92nd
another great kurosawa film that is about the death of the japanese old west: what use is good swordsmanship if someone has a gun?
Rated 30 Mar 2013
95
91st
With its mysterious-cool hero and sharp pacing, Yojimbo is Kurosawa's finest entry in pure entertainment. The Western genre inspiration this took from and influence it would carry on to have in the form of Leone westerns and their stylistic counterparts/successors make it a relevant work and easy recommendation.
Rated 27 May 2007
53
41st
A bit tedious and totally overrated. Leone's Western remake to this ("A Fistful of Dollars") is much better, even in terms of photography and music which are Yojimbo's strengths.
Rated 08 Dec 2009
100
98th
5/5
Rated 23 Mar 2011
93
97th
A western samurai film? Hell yeah. Mifune is awesome, and practically carries the entire thing.
Rated 05 Jul 2008
90
85th
Kurosawa is a master!
Rated 09 Apr 2011
85
90th
Really good. The action scenes are surprisingly very badass.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
80
95th
One of the best samurai films ever.
Rated 19 Mar 2018
97
93rd
As effortlessly engaging as it is widely influential, Yojimbo represents Kurosawa at the peak of his powers -- and lays the groundwork for the modern American western.
Rated 14 Jul 2008
76
83rd
I watched this movie 47 years after it's release, and easily could have been the inspiration for every western since it's creation. It would be an odd coincidence if this movie isn't widely copied, since it's virtually a template for the crime lord/vigilante flick. Somehow though, everything else really does feel like a copy, and this movie is good in it's own right.
Rated 31 Mar 2011
75
72nd
"Yojimbo" is a western set in the East, with swords instead of pistols. Kurosawa's violent tale has proved vastly influential and is widely acknowledged as inspiration for the Spaghetti Western. And although it is definitely outdated now, and I occasionally found myself rather bored, you can't deny its sheer visceral power. The innovative cinematography, the terrific soundtrack and Mifune's seminal performance enhance that. The final bloodbath is just some brilliant filmmaking.
Rated 04 May 2016
93
93rd
The entire "western" genre of movies is basically nothing but Yojimbo plagiarism. This movie did it first and best, and comes from much further east than you would expect. John Wayne be damned, Mifune is the only true cowboy!
Rated 30 Jun 2009
8
93rd
The samurai film meets the Western right in the middle. A bit more lighthearted than the usual Kurosawa fare, but with proper bursts of action and Mifune doing the same badass anti-hero character type Clint Eastwood would later come to dominate (indeed, in a remake of this very film). And it ends with a pistol versus sword showdown for the ages. Nice.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
95
80th
Kurosawa adapting Dashiel Hammet to samurai films, which in turn was adapted into western films, which in turn was adapted into sci-fi films.
Rated 06 Jun 2022
30
17th
bu puanlar şaka olsun lütfen tanrım amk yeter ya kusucam artık. rezil oyunculuklar, cüneyt arkın senaryosu, 3 kelimelik modernite eleştirisi. aga siz neye puan veriyorsunuz. allah aşkına açıklayın ya
Rated 22 Jan 2010
85
88th
Seeing this movie, you clearly note that influenced many other great films, of Sergio Leone to Tarantino. Has a great story, a character strong and unique. Classic.
Rated 18 Jan 2007
99
98th
Yojimbo, o Guarda-costas estreava há exatos 60 anos no Festival de Veneza. Meu segundo jidaigeki favorito dirigido pelo Kurosawa (perde para Rashomon), as imitações e refilmagens abundaram ao redor do mundo, mas nada se compara ao original. Acho que o toque que mais gosto dele é a trilha sonora que é uma espécie de mistura entre música tradicional japonesa e jazz, dando um clima totalmente peculiar e sofisticado. DVD Versátil
Rated 01 Mar 2008
83
72nd
# 339
Rated 30 Jan 2011
95
99th
Piling on more praise to this movie is needless, but I'll just say it IS a masterpiece, probably my second fav Kurosawa movie up to this point, and Toshiro Mifune's performance here is awesome.
Rated 23 Feb 2013
95
96th
A samurai film with western flavor- a neat concept executed perfectly. As usual, Mifune is the epitome of cool. One of Kurosawa's best, which is saying a lot.
Rated 25 Mar 2013
91
95th
Darkly funny, full of atmosphere and punctuated by blistering action. Proudly sits in Kurosawa's amazing pantheon.
Rated 18 Aug 2007
91
96th
Suprisingly stylish!
Rated 19 Aug 2007
87
96th
One of a few foreign films that I have seen, and a damned good one too.
Rated 21 Aug 2022
96
92nd
The best western movie that is not actually western.
Rated 24 Nov 2009
85
76th
A great movie. Mifune puts on an awesome performance, and it was fun to watch him play the townsfolk against each other. A few scenes seemed to drag on a bit longer than they should have but, all things taken into account, there's not much to complain about here.
Rated 13 Mar 2010
80
63rd
My first viewing of a Kurosawa film, and I was not disappointed by this engaging tale. Small in scale but with some tense action set pieces and a very watchable protagonist. A really solid 90 minute introduction to this director's style before viewing his highly regarded epics.
Rated 26 Oct 2019
79
82nd
Virgem
Rated 24 Aug 2011
80
50th
perfecto :)) mükemmel
Rated 22 Apr 2009
90
94th
Such a great film. Slightly dated, but that hardly detracts from the experience.
Rated 02 Feb 2012
100
99th
I knew I would like this as a fan of Kurosawa and Fistful of Dollars, but I was unprepared for how much I would be surprised by it. Equally mysterious, hilarious, and exciting all the way through.
Rated 22 Mar 2016
70
66th
This movie has better ending than "A Fistful of Dollars". Toshire Mifune as a lead role is perfect and also side actors are nearly flawless. However, story and characters are quite simple. Kurosawa's directorial skills seals the deal.
Rated 13 Feb 2009
4
96th
Very funny. Kurosawa was a true master.
Rated 15 Feb 2010
82
63rd
Typically excellent yet subtle Kurosawa. More comedy than action with some excellent performances.
Rated 20 Feb 2011
85
73rd
The original of A Fistful of Dollars, but better. Smart, violent, and very much an original Western, except its samurais. Mifune looks like he's having a good time.
Rated 09 May 2008
88
81st
Mifune is at his best here but the movie lacks the overall smash that several other Kurosawa epics have. Mifune on his own carries this with the stylistic visuals and interesting atmosphere.
Rated 15 Sep 2009
85
90th
Excellent. 'Sanjuro' is where it's at though.
Rated 20 Jul 2008
95
96th
Japanese Anti-western. Kurosawa great!
Rated 11 Jun 2007
79
81st
Great story with a weak ending.
Rated 20 Aug 2014
8
80th
Mifune is a joy to watch and the constant barrage of misanthropy makes for a very entertaining and funny movie.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
3
74th
Fun and suspenseful.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
84th
If you're going to watch any Asian movie, watch 'Seven Samurai' first. IMO it was much better than this. But after 'Samurai', check this out.
Rated 10 Feb 2011
80
58th
I was too stoned to remember anything about this movie, but I remember enjoying it a pretty lot. Probably going to watch this again sometime...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
70th
Excellent film about a samurai playing out two clans against each other.
Rated 26 Oct 2007
85
91st
+ highly recommended
Rated 08 Jul 2010
90
85th
I was expecting a fine film, but I wasn't expecting one that was also so humorous.

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