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Features: DVD
SANJURO (DVD MOVIE)
"Mifune's smashing performance is the force that makes it all work so well." Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
"...a shocking, graphic, powerful ending, and a perfect finish to this pair of remarkable films." Tod Booth, Reel.com
Editor's Note
A sequel to YOJIMBO, SANJURO features Toshirô Mifune reprising his role as the title character, an uncouth wanderer with a quick sword. While napping in a deserted shrine, the cynical and unkempt warrior is awakened by a meeting of nine young samurai who seek to weed out corruption within their city. While the youths take their situation at face value, the sleepy Sanjuro interjects with wise insight, pointing out that the real corruption may be hidden. The temple is suddenly surrounded by men seeking to kill the nine samurai, but Sanjuro cleverly hides them and fiercely deters the entire band of attackers, led by Muroto (Tatsuya Nakadai). Now indebted to Sanjuro, the novice warriors proceed to follow the unlikely hero around like lost puppies in their attempts to defeat the corrupt local officials.Akira Kurosawa's YOJIMBO was such a success that the director decided to make another film in the same comedic-adventure vein. Once again Mifune is in fine form, portraying Sanjuro as a gruff character who would rather laze about and drink sake than fight for justice. Constantly suspicious of the irreverent swordsman, his nine clean-cut followers slowly begin to look past his outward appearance and discover Sanjuro's deep, if unconventional, sense of honor. Featuring an excellent supporting cast and typically brilliant photography, the film is engaging from the bold opening scene to the tense, bloody final duel between Muroto and Sanjuro.
Plot Summary
A first-rate Japanese adventure film about a group of naive, overly serious young warriors determined to take on their corrupt clan leaders with the assistance of a wise but grizzled samurai. The legendary Mifune (SEVEN SAMURAI) reprises his role as Sanjuro in this inventive and often hilarious sequel to Kurosawa's brilliant YOJIMBO.
| Features | 35 Minute Documentary On The Making Of Sanjuro | | A Booklet Featuring An Essay By Critic Michael Sragow & Notes & Statements From Kurosawa & His Cast & Crew | | All-New, Restored High-Definition Digital Transfer | | Audio Commentary By Film Historian Stephen Prince | | Audio: Japanese Dolby Digital 3.0 Stereo | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection | | Stills Gallery Of Behind-The-Scenes Photos | | Subtitles: English | | Theatrical Trailer & Teaser |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Image |
| Release Date: 1/23/2007 |
| Running Time: 96 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1962 | | Catalog ID: 1659 | | UPC: 00715515020923 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: Japanese | | Available Audio Tracks: Japanese | | Available Subtitles: English | | Video: B&W |
Aspect Ratio | | Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | Sight and Sound
"...There's no lack of stunningly choreographed action scenes....[With a] final, breathtaking showdown..." 11/01/2003 p.70Total Film
"...SANJURO exhibits all of Kurosawa's formal beauty while parodying the conventions of the Japanese action film..." 12/01/2003 p.130 Uncut
"The climactic duel shows the great Japanese director at his controlled, no-frills best." 01/01/2004 p.142 eFilmCritic.com 9 of 10
Short and sweet. If you haven't seen Yojimbo, go rent that before this. If you haven't seen Seven Samurai, go rent that before Yojimbo. And once you've done those two, graduate to Sanjuro...As said before, the fighting isn't the object. The twists in the tale and the performance of Mifune bring so much more to this film, and the two previously mentioned, than Hollywood is capable of today. This movie won't be for everybody. It's black and white, it's old, and it's subtitled, but it's something you can't and won't look away from. - Chris Parry
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