Review of Yojimbo (1961) by Jj M — 29 Apr 2011

Toshiro Mifune stars as an ice-cool ronin who ghosts into a town with no specific intent but to get watered and fed and to cause general havoc amongst two warring factions based in the town while he's at it.

This is a superbly told tale about manipulation and human stupidity. It is untypical of Kurosawa: more musical, more comical. less epic. But a magnificent film. I love the way the constant jittery reactions of the characters add to the drama.

Much more effective than your usual Hollywood westerns. That A Fistful of Dollars was a remake and Wild at Heart references it is a clear indication of it's greatness.