Sanjuro (1963)

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Sanujuro ( meaning 30) is the name of a ronin ( wandering, masterless samurai) during the modernization period of japan (mid to late 1800's).A sudden political change has occurred with the rise of the middle class and a more modern government not hinged upon an actual , all powerful godly emperor and aristocracy. But during this time much turmoil and corruption ran rampant through the country as outside influences with vested interests propelled the land into " do or die mode"; change or BE changed. Thus the political climate is one of unseemly individuals whom stop at nothing to cement themselves into positions of power and all in the way be damned to JIGOKU ( hell). But in the heat and lust for power a kindly, old fashioned politician is abducted by more devious sorts commonly associated with their station ( not too different form nowadays). So the nephew and loyal young vassals strive to formulate a plan of attack and brave all danger and cast discretion to the wind to save the honorable old man, even at the expense of their lives, for such is Bushido (the way of the samurai). However before embarking upon their errand , a surprise from a familiar face ( with the same name , look, style,,etc) named Sanjuro overhears them and shows them a more strategic way to fulfill their mission.Personally I believe this to be an indirect sequel, but still a sequel to the previous years smash genre hit, Yojimbo. Aside from the painfully obvious facts that the character with the same first name, style, look, vernacular and way of conjuring a family name from what ever he spies around him suggests this to be a sequel , there's also the constant lodging within temples that could point toward the penniless ronins true return to film, as well as the clever usage of the number 30 ( sanjuro) that shares his name throughout both films. Kurosawa did nothing without thought, and this film was very much more thoughtful than the first ( yojimbo).To put it simply: the first film was almost all comedy and farce, whereas the second film this review is primarily concerned with is much more a tale of the times it takes place in; a political intrigue period piece, filled with action, better set design, props, extras galore, moxy if you will. The directors penchant for tongue and cheek is no more than the veritable "spice of life" as I call it, that all humans whom have lived experience in this life. But even with a tad comedic realism, this film has much more character, captivates and requires more attention and intellect to follow and is just an all around superior film. I highly recommend this to anyone seeking older films that do not reek of unnecessary melodic overtones or dance routines. The best black and white films didn't need such things. Now go enjoy a fine film!

Originally its own thing, but due to the success of Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" (1961) the script was reworked to feature the return of "Kuwabatake Sanjuro" (Toshiro Mifune). With that in mind, "Sanjuro" is a pleasant follow up to his adventures and contains enough substance to also stand as its own thing.Nine young Samurai believe that their lord has fallen under corruption, after one of his superintendents claim to have caught him tearing up a petition against organised crime. Out of the dark corner of the room appears a resting Ronin (Toshiro Mifune), who overheard the story and suggests something otherwise. Though insulted, it appears the wandering Ronin was correct as he decides to aid them in finding their missing lord, while they still have doubts about their new companion who gives them his name "Tsubaki Sanjūrō" (Camellia thirty-year-old man).Given its origins, it holds up surprisingly well. Toshiro Mifune is up against Tatsuya Nakadi (Again), and Nakadai disappears into his stern henchmen effortlessly whilst Mifune returns with all the quirks of this gruff character. The absence of harsh weather from other Kurosawa pictures in noticeable, yet hiding around the compound and the many streams of water present is all captured beautifully.Final Verdict: The style had already been done (The main title music is the exact same theme of "Yojimbo" with different instruments), but "Sanjuro" easily entertains throughout its 1 hour 30 minutes. 9/10.

This sequel to 'Yojimbo' sees the ronin samurai helping a group of men. One of them took their concerns about local corruption to his uncle, the chamberlain, but was rebuffed; he then went to the superintendent to tell him he believed his uncle was part of the problem. The Superintendent agrees and tells those concerned to get together for a meeting. It is as the group are being told this that the mysterious samurai walks in on them and explains why their conclusions are wrong and that it is the superintendent who is corrupt and that by coming together they have made it easy for him to kill them all. As the superintendent's men approach to attack he manages to save them. He now has to help them rescue the chamberlain in order to prove who is really guilty. It won't be easy though as those he is trying to help don't fully trust him and many of their actions end up making matters worse for them all.It was good to see Toshirô Mifune return as the lone samurai; he is great in the roll as he brings an enjoyable mix of humour and roughness to the part. The story itself is fairly simple; the opening scenes set things up and after that there are no real twists… that doesn't matter though as the story is well told and enjoyable to watch; this is largely down to Akira Kurosawa's expert direction. Who the most part the fight scenes are fairly bloodless which makes the final scene somewhat shocking as here there is a huge burst of blood! There some amusing moments too; I liked how the samurai was either resting or asking for food much of the time while all around him were keen to get on and do something. Overall this film is well worth watching and if you are a fan of Kurosawa's other films it is must see.

Sanjuro (椿三十郎)- Japan 1961This is number 9 on the list.Sanjuro. The Samurai. Sanjûrô Tsubaki. 三十郎椿. I don't know if those are the correct Japanese characters but, I don't speak Japanese. Having said that, this movie is so great. I love, absolutely 100% adore the director-actor partnership of Kurosawa and Mifune. So many places they have proved time and time again that they only make movie magic. This film is fantastic. There is nothing I could see that is wrong or incorrect. The movie is just, Woah. The cinematography is pure, PURE Kurosawa, no one could do this story, no one could capture the words of the actors or even the slightest 'scratch-of-the-neck' of Sanjuro like Kurosawa does. I would usually say "I applaud" but for this certain movie, I bow to you Akira Kurosawa. The story lacks nothing. I have always wondered why people say so much of Akira Kurosawa's influence can be seen in Spaghetti Westerns and other westerns. This movie showed me. Long and intricate shots of only the faces of those worrying, or the final standoff fight scene. slow paced action but fast paced wit made this movie awesome.Mifune won a place in my heart with this movie. Sanjuro has unbreakable wit and clever thoughts though he may not seem to be the pure 'samurai' that is implied. I am ending this review saying that usually people may think that the use of subtitles us harsh and they don't like it. Or that subtitles take away from the jokes that the characters make. But the subtitles of Kurosawa's movies add to the movie for me. Not knowing Japanese, having to read the subtitles as they pass makes me pay even closer attention to the film. While with a movie in English, I could be folding laundry and just listening to the story as it happens. With any Kurosawa film, I claim that would be impossible.SilverRating: (and the highest yet) 8/10.