Synopsis
Thanks to perhaps the most indelible character in Akira Kurosawa’s oeuvre, Yojimbo surpassed even Seven Samurai in popularity when it was released. The masterless samurai Sanjuro, who slyly manipulates two warring clans to his own advantage in a small, dusty village, was so entertainingly embodied by the brilliant Toshiro Mifune that it was only a matter of time before he returned in a sequel. Made just one year later, Sanjuro matches Yojimbo’s storytelling dexterity yet adds layers of world-weary pragmatism that brings the two films to a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion. Criterion is proud to present these Kurosawa masterworks in new, high-definition digital transfers and Blu-ray editions.
Collector's set includes
Sanjuro
Akira Kurosawa, 1962
In Kurosawa’s sly companion piece to Yojimbo, jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan’s evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a “proper” samurai on its ear.
Yojimbo
Akira Kurosawa, 1961
To rid a terror-stricken village of corruption, wily masterless samurai Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune) turns a range war between two evil clans to his own advantage in Akira Kurosawa’s visually stunning and darkly comic Yojimbo.
Disc Features
- Restored high-definition digital transfers (with uncompressed monaural soundtracks on the Blu-ray editions)
- Optional Dolby Digital 3.0 soundtracks, preserving the original Perspecta simulated sound effects (DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray edition)
- Audio commentaries by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
- Documentaries on the making of Yojimbo and Sanjuro, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
- Theatrical teasers and trailers
- Stills galleries of behind-the-scenes photos
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- PLUS: Booklets featuring essays by film writers Alexander Sesonske and Michael Sragow and comments from Kurosawa and members of his cast and crew
