While I find that 7 samurai's comedic moments has not aged that well, this movie is probably just as funny now as it was when it came. The dumb samurais at all times acting as a group is great visual comedy, while the way they manage to ruin Sanjuro's plans time and time again is timeless. The role of the women might be a bit dated, but it helps that the movie is set some time in the past. The mysterious character of Sanjuro fits well with both the setting and the plot.The plot itself mostly works, even without the comedy. And it doesn't hurt that the fights are good too.I've seen it mentioned that this movie could be a nice introduction to Kurosawa, and while I haven't seen most of his work, a 90 minutes light hearted but well crafted comedy ought to do well in that regard.

In Akira Kurosawa's highly underrated sequel to the much revered Yojimbo, Toshiro Mifune reprises his role as the titular master-less samurai, this time having the arduous task of cleaning up the mess created by the younger generation of a ruling clan, whose misplaced trust leaves them vulnerable to the clan's true enemy. Set in 19th century Japan, a gruff, disheveled, footloose samurai turns up in a deserted shrine where a cabal of nine young progressives is plotting to overthrow a corrupt regime. Boldly and brashly he appears among them while they have been fumbling for a plan and haughtily takes over the ticklish task of directing them. Consistently decrying the fledgling samurai as "idiots," expert strategist Sanjuro seemingly can't help himself from getting involved with the fallout of their political meddling, as the hapless bunch is desperately in need of saving. Starting with his chivalrous rescue of the chamberlain's wife and daughter from the corrupt warlord, Sanjuro leads the army of warriors on a wild goose chase so the nine inept samurais can free the chamberlain. All the action soon leads us to a dark, rug-yanking conclusion, as our eponymous samurai waves goodbye to those he helped and walks off into the sunset heroic and alone. The fact that Sanjuro is played by none other than the grunting, swashbuckling Toshiro Mifune makes the movie thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. The movie largely gyrates around the marvelously eccentric mannerisms of Mifune's performance, who swaggers through the entire film with a bemused expression - grimacing, scratching, yawning, and stretching in an ironic counterpoint to his character's phenomenal skill as a swordsman. The film's humor arises from Sanjuro's weary irritation and the contrast between his slovenly behavior and the phony ceremonial propriety of others. But while Mifune's satiric portrayal is a delight, Akira Kurosawa sets it in a more recognizably Japanese milieu, with a complicated plot involving political and historical intrigue. Kurosawa applies the full force of his cinematic genius, with brilliant widescreen composition that tells the story in visual terms as clear as the verbal ones. He guides the narrative mostly for laughs, but when the action kicks in the sword fighting is brutal and memorable.Sanjuro may not be Akira Kurosawa's most celebrated work, but you will find his witty paw prints all over the snappy dialogue, unique characters and intriguing plot – an effort that I personally rank higher than Yojimbo!

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.