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Sanjuro, made in 1962, is Akira Kurosawa's sequel to Yojimbo.
Based on Shungoro Yamamoto's novel, Sanjuro , played by Toshiro Mifune tells the story of a group of loyal but hapless Samurai who are trying to rescue thier master, the Chamberlain, from the clutches of a ruthless rival. Thier inital impulsive rescue attempts fail and they seem to be doomed until the scruffy, but brilliant swordfighter Sanjuro offers his help.
Sanjuro actually means "thirty-four" in Japanese and Mifune's Sanjuro is an an extraordinary anti-hero. He creates a bedraggled, shambling, scratching character who is a blend of John Wayne's strength, Clint Eastwood's quiet mystery and a bit of Humphrey Bogart thrown in.
Although we never know his real name, Sanjuro first appeared in Kurosawa's previous film Yojimbo. When asked his name by one of the gangster family, he looks wistfully out of the window at a cornfield and replies, "thirty (Sanjuro)" and the adds sardonically, "but nearer forty..."
Sanjuro is a fine example of it's genre. Mifune's portrayal of the scruffy, but deadly Samurai is quite brilliant and his subtle, understated style is apparent in every scene. The Chamberlain's wife (Takao Irie) sums him up perfectly: "You glitter, glitter like an un-sheathed sword."
The humour Kurosawa injects into some of the lighter scenes is wonderful, especially with Masuru Sato's music score which occationally borders on the slapstick. Highlights of the movie include the Samurai prisoner kept in a cupboard, who somehow manages to keep his dignity and even offers helpful suggestions, the Chamberlain's wife (Takao Irie) and daughter (Reiko Dan) who stay calm, controlled and beautiful in the midst of all the chaos and the final showdown between Sanjuro and the another equally deadly Samurai played with glittering ferocity by Tatsuya Nakadai, is breathtaking, for it's shortness and violence.
Along with Kurosawa's other epics, Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, a truly brilliant piece of work which is also a great evening in!
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