Sanjuro

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Sanjuro

1962,

1h 36m,

Adventure/

Action

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Watchlist

100%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

95%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Toshirō Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel 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.

Critics Consensus

Technically impressive and superbly acted, Sanjuro is a funny, action-packed samurai adventure featuring outstanding cinematography and a charismatic performance from Toshiro Mifune.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

Jan 9, 2025

The swordplay in Sanjuro is perhaps even more impressive than it is in Yojimbo, though the gentler tone gives the film an altogether softer effect.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Aug 7, 2012

This is fun but, compared with Kurosawa's other 60s efforts, relatively slight.

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David Parkinson

Empire Magazine

Aug 7, 2012

4/5

Satirical Samurai action of the highest order.

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Carson Timar

ClapperCast

Apr 29, 2026

While not as deep as many other Kurosawa works, there is still enough in Sanjuro to have a good time.

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Apr 1, 2025

3.5/4

In addition to being a rousing action movie, Sanjuro is also a biting satire of other samurai movies.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 5, 2025

3.5/4

A worthy sequel to Yojimbo.

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Albus W

Feb 20, 2019

I was initially cynical that how could a film be better than Jojimbo. This film not only found a way but it is humorous, clever and plot is just brilliant. Stop reading this and watch this epic master piece of glorious cinema.

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Harry W

Nov 28, 2018

Sanjuro is a great sequel of sorts to Yojimbo. The Ronin With No Name now leads a group of hapless samurai through a dangerous corruption case. Like most of Kurosawa's films from this period, it is highly satisfying.

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George P

Nov 17, 2018

This film was great.

Anakin G

Aug 5, 2018

Liked thsi one better than Yojimbo

Theodore M

Dec 16, 2017

Lighter than the other films in the excellent Kurosawa/ Mifune collaborations. A delight from the very first scene.

Abraham P

Nov 17, 2017

This film, in my option, is better then the first. Why, because it'd more light-hearted and bouncy then Yojimbo. the plot is about 9 young samurai who try to save the leaders uncle. Sanjuro gets mixed in the plot and pure awesomeness happens.

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Akira Kurosawa

Director

Toshiro Mifune

Sanjuro Tsubaki

Tatsuya Nakadai

Hanbei Muroto

Takashi Shimura

Kurofuji

Yûzô Kayama

Iiro Izaka, Samurai Leader

Reiko Dan

Chidori

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Synopsis

Toshirō Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel 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.

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Screenwriter: Ryûzô Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Shûgorô Yamamoto
Production Co: Madman Entertainment
Genre: Adventure, Action
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 1962, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 14, 2017
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Perspecta Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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