Yojimbo
1961 · Movie · NR · 110 min · ★ 8.1
A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men.
Based on Red Harvest
Also known as The Bodyguard
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1961
- Release date
- 1961-04-25
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 110 min
- TMDB rating
- 8.1/10 (1,685 votes)
Themes
- japan
- samurai
- swordplay
- gambling
- sword
- bodyguard
- black and white
- fighting
- family
- intrigue
- ronin
- jidaigeki
- +10 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design, Black-and-White · 1962 · nominated
Cast & crew
Toshirō Mifune
as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
Tatsuya Nakadai
as Unosuke, gunfighter
Yōko Tsukasa
as Nui
Isuzu Yamada
as Orin
Daisuke Katō
as Inokichi
Seizaburō Kawazu
as Seibê - brothel operator
Takashi Shimura
as Tokuemon, sake brewer
Hiroshi Tachikawa
as Yoichiro
Yōsuke Natsuki
as Kohei's Son
Eijirō Tōno
as Gonji, Tavern Keeper
Directed by Akira Kurosawa