Sunday, August 29, 2010

YOJIMBO (Japanese) (1961)

A Samurai drifter named Sanjuro visits a lawless town divided between two opposing gangs. By playing smart bystander he pitted one gang against the other, to get rid the village of both. But matters start taking different turn when he helps freeing a woman killing six. Unosuke, the man obsessed with a revolver slaughters rival gang members sniffing the truth he severely injures Sanjuro. He escapes and recovers in a temple but he must face Unosuke. Would his skill and wit be any match with a revolver? Kurosawa’s this classic gave birth to the first installment of Sergio Leone-Clint Eastwood’s most famous spaghetti western ‘A Fistful of Dollars’. Along with the main plot, there’re many frames clearly lifted from this original.

Toshiro Mifune once again brought to screen his exciting presence as Sanjuro keeping the fun and action part of his Samurai act in ‘Seven Samurai’ as Kakuchiyo. Kurosawa’s long Hollywood inspiration of John Ford’s western is felt in execution of some of the scenes but his technical flair of using slow motion for dramatic flair running parallel to engaging action, multiple camera angles for same action, use of natural weather to enhance mood and feel etc. are inspirational for many great directors. Like true Japanese Samurai, he was hard task master and the mad perfectionist who spent endless hours and efforts to achieve the effects as per his vision. His excellence is surely a legacy unparalleled that live forever.

Ratings-8.5/10

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