Yojimbo / Sanjuro: Two Samurai Films by Akira Kurosawa
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Synopsis
Thanks to perhaps the most indelible character in Akira Kurosawa’s oeuvre, Yojimbo surpassed even Seven Samurai in popularity when it was released. The masterless samurai Sanjuro, who slyly manipulates two warring clans to his own advantage in a small, dusty village, was so entertainingly embodied by the brilliant Toshiro Mifune that it was only a matter of time before he returned in a sequel. Made just one year later, Sanjuro matches Yojimbo’s storytelling dexterity yet adds a layer of world-weary pragmatism that brings the two films to a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion.
Picture 8/10
Criterion upgrades Yojimbo and Sanjuro to 4K UHD in this new box set, presenting both films in SDR 2160p, sourced from new 4K restorations performed by Toho and scanned from the 35mm original camera negatives.
The results are a notable improvement over the previous Blu-ray editions, offering sharper details, cleaner textures, and more refined grayscale rendering. However, both presentations adopt a lower-contrast look compared to earlier releases, favoring a broader grayscale range over the starker whites that many (or, at least, me) may be accustomed to. While this leads to better highlight detail and deeper shadows, it also gives the films a somewhat flatter, darker appearance.
Film grain is intact but appears to have undergone some mild management, with certain scenes looking smoother than expected. That said, the overall restoration work is impressive, with damage and debris cleaned up meticulously, making these the cleanest presentations of the films to date. While an HDR grade could have potentially enhanced contrast and brightness further (something the upcoming BFI editions may clarify), these SDR transfers still represent a substantial upgrade over past releases.
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Audio 7/10
Both Yojimbo and Sanjuro retain their original lossless PCM 1.0 monaural soundtracks, along with the 3.0 Perspecta audio tracks, which are presented in a DTS-HD MA 5.1 container but limited to the three front channels.
To my surprise, it does sound as though both tracks received new restorations instead of Criterion re-using the ones from the Blu-ray. Each one sounds cleaner and sharper, with less filtering and a wider dynamic range between highs and lows. The 3.0 tracks offer a slightly fuller, more expansive soundfield, particularly during action sequences, making them the preferred option for me, though the mono tracks remain strong. Some occasional edginess in the music is present, but there are no major distortions or damage, making all of them solid overall.
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Extras 7/10
The supplements remain unchanged from Criterion’s previous Blu-ray editions, with all bonus features housed on the included Blu-ray discs—the 4K UHD discs contain only the films and audio commentaries. The primary extra for both films is the audio commentary by Stephen Prince, which, while a bit drier than some of his other tracks, still provides valuable insights into Kurosawa’s filmmaking techniques, framing, and the historical context of the stories.
Also included are episodes from the Toho Masterworks series, Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create, covering each film and offering in-depth behind-the-scenes material alongside interviews from cast and crew and archival footage of Kurosawa. The documentaries cover key aspects of each production, from the use of telephoto lenses to the meticulous staging of action sequences.
Rounding out the set are trailers, teaser trailers, and small stills galleries, along with a booklet featuring essays and reprinted interviews from past editions. While the supplemental content is still fairly slim, what’s here is strong and informative, offering a solid overview of both films and their productions.
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Closing
Though no new supplements have been added, the 4K presentations offer a significant upgrade over Criterion’s previous Blu-rays—slight hesitations on my part aside.
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