Yojimbo poster

Yojimbo

Kill one or a hundred... you only hang once

8.1(1,780)19611h 50m6

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.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
—
Language
Japanese
Part of Sanjuro Collection · 2 films
  • japan
  • samurai
  • swordplay
  • gambling
  • sword
  • bodyguard
  • black and white
  • fighting
  • period drama
  • family
  • intrigue
  • ronin

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Gallery

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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
  • A

    Andres Gomez

    6/16/2014

    8/10

    Great movie! Akira Kurosawa is just a master movie maker.

  • C

    CRCulver

    6/5/2018

    9/10

    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 …

  • C

    CinemaSerf

    8/13/2023

    7/10

    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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