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Sanjuro - Criterion Collection Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 23 Reviews)

TOSHIRO MIFUNE SHINES IN ANOTHER KUROSAWA CLASSIC.
The late, great Toshiro Mifune shines in this off-beat and comical sequel to Yojimbo. I have seen this classic many times, yet never tire of the non-verbal wit of Mifune as a completely different kind of samurai. Mifune's continual warnings to the young group of samurai warriors on what direction they should proceed with in order to help rescue their uncle always falls on deaf ears, and it is up to him to continually rescue them.

As usual, Criterion did an excellent job with the DVD transfer. This is a highly recommended film. I really like Yojimbo, but I give a slight edge to Sanjuro, because it was one of the first Japanese movies I ever saw, and there are many great memories for me when I view this wonderful classic. I first saw Sanjuro in 1966. [The first memory I have of any Japanese film was "Attack of the Mushroom People" on Creature Features. Wow, left an impression on me at so young an age.]

This movie is not to be missed. Enjoy the widescreen, and place it in your collection. Well worth the watch.

slow beginning, but nice build up with a satisfying conclusion
I have been enjoying classic Japanese samurai films from childhood, and I have come to appreciate them more as I grow older.

This film is a must for those of you who appreciate a wry sense of humor and non verbal expression of wit. Toshiro Mifune (Sanjuro) plays the part of a jaded, cynical, but paradoxically honorable samurai to the hilt. The nine younger samurai reminded me of lion cubs who bound and growl with bravado while not realizing that they haven't the skills to bring down a sick sheep. Toshiro Mifune is the king of the pride, who gruffly smacks them back in line with his biting sarcasm.

My favorite character, however, is the wife of the kidnapped chamberlain whom the ten are trying to rescue. Her exaggerated but believable nobility and gentle femininity cow even the deadly and hardened Mifune, making him act like a school boy who is caught picking his nose.

All in all, the brief but stunning climax at the end of the film, with it's casual anticlimax, left me chuckling and applauding Kurasawa yet again.

Yet another Masterpiece
This is a follow-up to Kurosawa's Yojimbo. This edition is brilliant as it has been digitally remastered and that we have the option of choosing either Dolby 2.1 or Dolby 5.1 for the sound. At last, we get to enjoy this classic masterpiece at its best. Mifune is as charismatic as always and the soundtrack helps to build up the legend that he has become as the leaderless samurai who simply called himself "Sanjuro". Yet, he steps into a difficult situation where the followers of a clan is to be annihilated. It's never been explained why he wants to assist the nine hapless and totally inexperienced samurais but he stays on to give them a helping hand to defeat another clan that's far more powerful and conniving than the earlier clan. Once again, Kurosawa thrives in bringing out to the forefront different elements of human natures. Ultimately, it's really survival of the fittest. Whilst Sanjuro is unkempt and uncultured, in the end, it's to be seen that he's really an unpolished diamond; a samurai with a heart of gold. The movie is entertaining to watch, funny at times and mostly, an anthropological study of humans at their best and worst. Once Sanjuro finishes what he sets up to do, he disappears into thin air and the person he saved admires him for being wise, for not wishing to be trapped into a clan with responsibilities but that he simply can be a free man. An absolute must if you are a Kurosawa's fan. Simply mesmerising!

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