Ghost Of Tsushima: 10 Samurai Films You NEED To Watch First
6. Yojimbo
The epitome of the lone wanderer, Yojimbo is the story of a ronin coming into a lawless town plagued by gangs and outsiders recking havoc. Carrying with him a penchant for justice, the ronin seeks to eradicate evil in any way necessary.
Toshiro Mifune stars as the wandering samurai named Sanjuro. He overhears of trouble in a nearby town by a farmer who's son was unwilling inducted into one of the town's gangs. He soon discovers the true extent of both gang's relentless pursuit of power. Clearly outnumbering him, he concocts a plan to play both sides against one another by feigning recruitment and loyalty to each one.
Yojimbo is classic samurai fable of the nobility and pursuit of justice for those in need in a world coated in chaos. It's a classic western story arch of good vs evil that's lifted right out of American films such as John Ford's The Searchers amplified with a stylish flare and a modern twist.
Similar to how westerns reflect the times in which they're created, Yojimbo reflects on old tradition coming to terms with a changing world. Sanjuro wanders around as a reminder of the end of the samurai, yet accepts the inevitable change of the times and adapts to play by its rules.