Sanjuro is a wandering Samurai, who decides to help a group of young, simple-minded warriors uncover corruption within their town. When he comes across the men, they are discussing who may be the town’s traitor, either the handsome Superintendent or the “horse-faced” Chamberlain. They conclude it must be the Chamberlain, but Sanjuro points out that corruption is often found where one least expects it. He adds that human nature often falsely leads people to trust those considered more attractive. Sanjuro, himself, is scruffy looking with tattered clothes and little manners, but he exhibits a high intelligence throughout the movie.

The film is less about the town’s corruption, giving vague details about the type of corruption occurring. It is more a story about Sanjuro, a highly skilled and clever samurai who can kill ten or twenty men with his swift sword, but doesn’t like it. The Chamberlain’s wife intuitively aware of Sanjuro’s skill and moral nature tells him, “A good sword is kept in the sheath.” Sanjuro is a “naked sword” – deadly and dangerous.

During the movie, the men whom Sanjuro helps argue about his trust-worthiness, still prejudiced by Sanjuro’s rough exterior. In one scene, they follow him into town to see if he will betray them to the corrupted town officials. Sanjuro saves them from arrest by killing the guards but is upset that he was forced to kill due to their stupidity and distrust.

Kurosawa’s films all have many beautiful, cinematic or simple scenes. In Sanjuro, flowers floating in a creek become a plot device. The delicate camellia flowers in bloom, placed in the river to float down stream, are the signal for attack. Kurosawa’s use of music and sound also add impact to the various scenes. Rapid drums heighten the dramatic action; jovial music plays during the lighter, comical moments such as the scene where the men celebrate by dancing around, but do so silently to avoid being discovered.

There are scenes that show the tender side of the characters. In one scene, we see Sanjuro sheepishly watching a mother and daughter relaxing on a haystack. In another, we see him grimacing as he helps the women over a wall by allowing them to step on his back. Sanjuro and his men capture a guard who becomes a comedic addition to the story line. Kurosawa in many films uses the quiet, simple sides of human nature to enchant the viewer.

Throughout the film, we get to see Sanjuro quick sword and wit. The finale has Sanjuro in a samurai showdown with one of the traitors. It’s exciting – I actually rewound the fight to see how quick the winner was, and he was quick.

Sanjuro is entertaining almost fifty years after it was released and better than most current Hollywood movies. I recommend it to those who would like to see a good story with a conflicted hero. It touches on themes of violence and regret while incorporating dramatic and whimsical scenes.

Sanjuro (1962, B&W) Directed by Akira Kurosawa.
The running time is 96 minutes. The DVD, in widescreen format with English subtitles, comes with a trailer that gives glimpses of the cast and director.

I highly recommend picking up a film by Akira Kurosawa if you haven’t. He was one of the all-time great directors who influenced many Hollywood directors such as George Lucas (Star Wars is based on Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress) and Francis Ford Coppola. Kurosawa has many cinematic and story telling trademarks that have become copied and standardized in current films. Not only that, he’s films are entertaining and enjoyable.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older