

Yojimbo
Kill one or a hundred... you only hang once
A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men.
TMDB
8.1/10
1,780 votes
IMDb
Not rated yet
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- Status
- Released
- Budget
- —
- Box office
- —
- Language
- Japanese
- japan
- samurai
- swordplay
- gambling
- sword
- bodyguard
- black and white
- fighting
- period drama
- family
- intrigue
- ronin
Top billed cast


















Behind the camera
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
Gallery












Videos
Release dates
United StatesUS
- TheatricalNR13 Sept 1961
- PhysicalNRVHS1 Jan 1999
United KingdomGB
- TheatricalPG9 Nov 1967
- PhysicalBlu-ray & 4K UHD17 Mar 2025
AustraliaAU
- PhysicalPGDVD1 Jan 2000
- Theatrical (limited)MRe-Release26 Oct 2024
BrazilBR
- TheatricalLIMDB9 May 1963
CzechiaCZ
- PhysicalDVD20 Apr 2006
- TVČT27 Dec 2008
DenmarkDK
- Theatrical29 Mar 1965
FinlandFI
- Theatrical15 Mar 1963
FranceFR
- PremiereU25 Apr 1961
- TheatricalU12 Sept 1979
- Physical25 Jan 2017
GermanyDE
- Theatrical1221 May 1982
ItalyIT
- PremiereVenice Film Festival20 Aug 1961
- Theatrical28 Jun 1963
JapanJP
- Theatrical25 Apr 1961
MexicoMX
- Theatrical9 May 1963
Frequently asked questions
Yojimbo was released on 25 April 1961.
Audience reviews
3- A8/10
Andres Gomez
6/16/2014
Great movie! Akira Kurosawa is just a master movie maker.
- C9/10
CRCulver
6/5/2018
Akira Kurosawa's 1961 film YOJIMBO is a Japanese period drama where wily strategy is worth just as much as prowess with a sword. In the late Edo era (some decades before its end in 1868) a community is plagued by two opposing gangs who have built up a criminal empire of prostitution and gambling. Even the local officials are on the take. Into this town steps a nameless samurai (Toshiro Mifune). Once they get a taste …
- C7/10
CinemaSerf
8/13/2023
I was surprised when I saw this, how late it was set - 19th Century - as I'd always imagined it to be of a more historical nature. That doesn't remotely detract from the story though - as again Kurosawa casts Yoshirô Mifune ("Sanjûrô") in the leading role. Here he is a wandering samurai who arrives in a village torn by strife. His skills are sought by the two opposing headmen and he quite successfully manages to play…
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