Personally my favourite Kurosawa movie and obviously one of his more influential works. The story centres itself around a Ronin (Toshiro Mifune), and how he spends his time moving back and forth between two rival gangs in a small village. I'm sure you know the plot by now (we've all seen "A Fistful of Dollars"), but the points that really stand out for me are performances and the incredible use of light and shadow by Kurosawa. The film has some absolute gems as far as classic scenes are concerned. I mean who has not seen a dog in a movie running down a road with a hand in its mouth? It's been used a number of times but once again it was Kurosawa who sowed the seed.
The film is full of humour, but at the same time carries a certain seriousness, and we get to see the full scope of Mifune's acting ability. The action scenes are as always superb, quite often over before you can visually digest what has happened and they constantly have you reaching for the rewind button.
Breathtaking.
The film is full of humour, but at the same time carries a certain seriousness, and we get to see the full scope of Mifune's acting ability. The action scenes are as always superb, quite often over before you can visually digest what has happened and they constantly have you reaching for the rewind button.
Breathtaking.