Overview
A wandering samurai finds himself embroiled in a deadly game of political intrigue and corruption.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- witty
- irreverent
- propulsive
- classic cinema night
- samurai movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praise Sanjuro as a technically impressive, superbly acted, funny, action-packed samurai adventure with outstanding cinematography and a charismatic lead performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sanjuro's sardonic behavior and the film's comic treatment of inexperienced clan supporters undercut conventional samurai solemnity.
The wandering ronin protects an outnumbered faction by exploiting the Superintendent's political scheme and anticipating enemy moves.
Kurosawa stages sword confrontations and group movement in crisp black-and-white compositions, culminating in sharply controlled bursts of violence.
The Superintendent frames the Chamberlain for wrongdoing and plots to remove the Chamberlain's staff to consolidate clan power.
Films like Sanjuro, and why
Yojimbo
wandering samurai protagonist, feudal Japanese setting, sharp action choreography, and irreverent humor
The Hidden Fortress
stylized jidaigeki action, morally complex warriors, and Kurosawa's dynamic black-and-white compositions
Seven Samurai
ensemble samurai conflict, tactical leadership, and a blend of suspenseful combat with humanist drama
The Sword of Doom
feudal Japanese power struggles, charismatic swordplay, and darkly comic action
Movie Details
- Director
- Akira Kurosawa
- Release Date
- 1962-01-01
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (752)
Cast
- Toshirō Mifune
- Tatsuya Nakadai
- Keiju Kobayashi
- Yūzō Kayama
- Reiko Dan
- Takashi Shimura
- Kamatari Fujiwara
- Takako Irie
- Masao Shimizu
- Yūnosuke Itō
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Sanjuro about?
- A sardonic ronin turns clan intrigue into a brilliantly choreographed campaign against corruption and treachery.
- What is Sanjuro like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sanjuro as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Sanjuro violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Sanjuro as graphic.
- What did critics think of Sanjuro?
- Critics broadly praise Sanjuro as a technically impressive, superbly acted, funny, action-packed samurai adventure with outstanding cinematography and a charismatic lead performance.
- Which films are like Sanjuro?
- Films with a similar feel include Yojimbo, The Hidden Fortress, Seven Samurai, and The Sword of Doom.
- How long is Sanjuro?
- Sanjuro runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Sanjuro?
- In United States, Sanjuro streams on Criterion Channel.
