This seems like a classic plot for a western, but instead of a cowboy a poor masterless samurai comes into a town torn between two gangs and tries to cash in on them as he is the key to victory with his unsurpassed sword-technique. A game starts.
Toshiro Mifune is able to carry this movie on his own, his presence on screen, like his sword-mastery is second to none. Luckily this movie also has the visual mind of Akira Kurosawa and a fitting set. This town is on the verge of becoming a ghost town, by senseless killing and rivalry.
Under Kurosawa's supervision this movie has no dull moment whatsoever, and once the action picks up you're locked in for the rest of it. It's also well cast, I just wish the giant would fight with his club. The old man in the restaurant next to the coffin maker is my favorite character next to Yojimbo. And some poor guys arm get cut off so the blood spurts out like from a fire-hose, Kurosawa invented that.
Toshiro Mifune is able to carry this movie on his own, his presence on screen, like his sword-mastery is second to none. Luckily this movie also has the visual mind of Akira Kurosawa and a fitting set. This town is on the verge of becoming a ghost town, by senseless killing and rivalry.
Under Kurosawa's supervision this movie has no dull moment whatsoever, and once the action picks up you're locked in for the rest of it. It's also well cast, I just wish the giant would fight with his club. The old man in the restaurant next to the coffin maker is my favorite character next to Yojimbo. And some poor guys arm get cut off so the blood spurts out like from a fire-hose, Kurosawa invented that.