YOJIMBO

Japan, 1961, 110 minutes, Black and white.
Toshiro Mifune.
Directed by Akira Kurosawa.

Yojimbo is another of Akira Kurosawa's films about Japan and Samurai traditions. It was made in the early sixties and fits in very well to the long tradition of his films glorifying and criticising the Japanese past. The film which it relates most nearly to is Sanjuro. Once again the star is Toshiro Mifune who appeared in most of Kurosawa's fine films from Seven Samurai to Throne of Blood to Red Beard. Kurosawa has an extraordinary talent for recreating the Japanese past, presenting it in a striking fashion open to western audiences.

The films remind western audiences of the Hollywood westerns. As a matter of fact, Rashomon and The Seven Samurai were adapted in America to the west, as The Outrage and The Magnificent Seven. Perhaps there is a lot to be learnt with this linking of Samurai tradition with the experience of the American west.

1. How interesting a film was this for non-Japanese audiences? Why? What was impressive about the style of the film? Black and white photography, musical background, use of Panavision?

2. How important was the Samurai atmosphere of the film? The legends of Japanese history? The village and life within the village? Power and violence and corruption? The Samurai as saviour by violence? The loyalty that he aroused? Admiration? Did the director admire the Samurai and his style of life? Does the audience of this film? Why?

3. What insight into Japan and its history, its characters and style of life, its codes and its manner do films like this give?

4. How important was the building up of the atmosphere of the town and its fighting? What details best communicated this? The clash of a small civil war within the one town? The ensuing violence and suffering? The need for the outsider- saviour?

5. How interesting a character was Yojimbo? The style of Toshiro Mifune? The director's placing him so centrally in the film? What qualities of character did he have? What interesting aspects of personality? What qualities an a Samurai?

6. How strong was the presentation of Yojimbo as a Samurai hero? The contrast of his behaviour with that of the people in the town? The contrast with the weak people who needed his support?

7. With how much admiration did the director present the cunning and skill of the Samurai? In cleansing the town and destroying the enemies? His ability to infiltrate the power in the town?

8. The importance of the fights? The manner in which they were filmed? The implicit violence? The nobility of fighting for saving people?

9. What insight into society and the inter-relationships of persons, power, innocence and corruption does the film give?

10. How dramatic is the ending with the success of Yojimbo and his going off to future errands?

12. American writers have seen a link between the westerns and the Samurai stories and film. Is this a useful insight into understanding films like this?