Sanjuro (1962)

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Sanjuro (1962) – A. Kurosawa

Kurosawa’s relatively light-hearted follow up to Yojimbo (1961) sees Mifune’s character (who identifies only as “thirty-something” with an obviously fake family name) intervening in a struggle against corrupt officials who have tried to divert blame onto an innocent but blunt colleague.  As before, Sanjuro seems to take on the mission on a lark to thwart boredom but really we know he is all about social justice deep down.  Here he takes the role of sarcastic but caring mother hen as he uses his matter-of-fact wiles to help nine naïve young men take down the bad guys.  Of course, the opposition also has their own “sword without a sheath” in the form of Tatsuya Nakadai and in the end, there must be a battle between these two ronin, reasonably good and self-identified as bad.  Before that, there is much bloodshed (naturally) albeit peppered with comic moments.  Observant viewers will note Kurosawa’s expertise in framing multiplayer shots and, of course, action.  Minor Kurosawa perhaps, but thoroughly enjoyable.