Yojimbo & Sanjuro

[nicolas]

Yojimbo & Sanjuro (4K UHD Set)
Director: Akira Kurosawa



Yojimbo

Like Seven Samurai (1954), Yojimbo was Kurosawa’s tribute to the widescreen action Westerns of John Ford and was itself remade as a Western by Sergio Leone as A Fistful of Dollars (1964). Played by the great Toshiro Mifune, the film’s enigmatic samurai is a scruffy and itinerant warrior who wanders into a strange town and right into the middle of a war between two clans. Showing his skills with the sword within minutes of his arrival, he soon has the town’s rival factions competing for his services.

Kurosawa’s genius for storytelling combines with thrilling swordplay, a healthy dose of black humour, a soundtrack every bit as atmospheric and amusing as Ennio Morricone’s, and a towering performance from Mifune, to make Yojimbo an irresistible widescreen action adventure.

Sanjuro

In response to the huge critical and commercial success of Yojimbo, Kurosawa and Mifune re-teamed a year later to make Sanjuro, a hilarious comedy of manners altogether more light-hearted than its predecessor.

The story has Sanjuro (Mifune) running lazy rings around nine naïve and clean-cut samurai and two genteel ladies, whilst also cleaning up a spot of corruption in local government. Whilst Kurosawa plays most of it for laughs, expertly parodying the conventions of Japanese period action films, he stages a startling switch of mood with an intense finale which may well be the briefest, and most breathtaking duel in all cinema.

Extras
Limited edition 2-disc set, 2 x 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-rays presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Newly recorded interview with Jasper Sharp (2024)
Audio commentary on Yojimbo by film critic Philip Kemp
Introduction to Sanjuro by filmmaker Alex Cox (2003, 5 mins)
Interview with filmmaker Alex Cox (2003, 9 mins)
Original trailers for both films
**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring new and archival essays on both films, original reviews and full film credits
Other extras TBC

Release date : March 17th, 2025

Amazon.co.uk

[ryannichols7]

another "keep Criterion BDs for their extras" (in this case, Stephen Prince's two excellent commentaries), and "go BFI for 4K". these are the more marketable titles obviously so I get why these got the bump and not High and Low. glad this announcement came before the Criterions were released too

[nicolas]

A member at the other forum wrote to BFI and they revealed that Fidelity in Motion are probably doing the encodes.

[midnitedave]

Full extras announced.

Restored 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Sword For Hire (2024, 25 mins): Kurosawa scholar Jasper Sharp discusses Yojimbo and Sanjuro in this analytical assessment
Audio commentary on Yojimbo by film critic Philip Kemp (2000)
It is Wonderful to Create – Yojimbo (2002, 45 mins): the film is examined in detail in this documentary study
Introduction to Sanjuro (2003, 5 mins): filmmaker Alex Cox introduces Sanjuro
Newly recorded audio commentary on Sanjuro by Japanese-Australian filmmaker Kenta McGrath
It is Wonderful to Create – Sanjuro (2002, 37 mins): the film is examined in detail in this short documentary study
Out of the Dust Storm and into the Koi Pond (2025, 18 mins): Nic Wassell considers the role of nature as a background to the machinations of mankind in role of nature as a background to the machinations of mankind in Yojimbo and Sanjuro
Alex Cox on Kurosawa (2003, 9 mins): the director discusses the life and work of Akira Kurosawa
Original Japanese trailers
Image galleries
Both films include original 3-channel Perspecta audio
**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet with new writing on both films by Hayley Scanlon, writing on both films by Akira Kurosawa, originally published in 1964, original reviews and credits

[ryannichols7]

wow a new Sanjuro track! I enjoyed Kenta McGrath on Nobody Knows, hoping I enjoy the new Kurosawa tracks too. they loaded this edition up nicely with video essays and the Toho docs. can't wait!

[MichaelB]

Full specs announced:

Two Akira Kurosawa samurai classics, Yojimbo (1961) and its sequel Sanjuro (1962), both starring Toshiro Mifune, are released together in new 4K UHD and standard Blu-ray sets by the BFI on 17 March. Each set includes a newly filmed discussion by Japanese film expert Jasper Sharp and a 2002 documentary on each film in which they are examined in detail, along with more special features, listed below.

Yojimbo was Akira Kurosawa’s tribute to the widescreen action westerns of John Ford (and was itself remade in 1964 by Sergio Leone as A Fistful of Dollars). The great Toshiro Mifune plays the film’s enigmatic samurai, a scruffy itinerant warrior who wanders into a town and right into the middle of a war between two clans. Showing his skills with a sword within minutes of his arrival, he soon has the rival factions competing for his services. After its huge success, Kurosawa and Mifune teamed up again a year later to make Sanjuro, in which the titular character runs rings around nine naïve, clean-cut samurai and two genteel ladies – while also cleaning up a spot of corruption in local government. It’s more light-hearted than its predecessor, but no less entertaining.

Special features

• UHD: Restored 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible);
• Blu-ray: Newly restored in 4K and presented in High Definition;
• Sword For Hire (2024, 25 mins): Kurosawa scholar Jasper Sharp discusses Yojimbo and Sanjuro in this analytical assessment;
• Audio commentary on Yojimbo by film critic Philip Kemp (2000);
• Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Yojimbo (2002, 45 mins): a detailed documentary study of the film;
• Introduction to Sanjuro (2003, 5 mins): filmmaker Alex Cox introduces Sanjuro;
• Newly recorded audio commentary on Sanjuro by Japanese-Australian filmmaker Kenta McGrath;
• Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Sanjuro (2002, 35 mins): the film is examined in detail in this documentary study;
• Out of the Dust Storm and Into the Koi Pond (2025, 18 mins): Nic Wassell considers the role of nature as a background to human machinations in both films;
• Alex Cox on Kurosawa (2003, 9 mins): the director discusses the life and work of Akira Kurosawa;
• Original trailers;
• Image galleries;
• ***First pressing only*** Illustrated booklet with new writing on both films by Hayley Scanlon, writing on both films by Akira Kurosawa, originally published in1964, original reviews and film credits

Product details
UHD: RRP: £39.99 / Cat. no. BFIU0011 / 12
Japan / 1961, 1962 / black and white / 110, 96 minutes / Japanese language with English subtitles / original aspect ratio 2.35:1 UHD66 x 2: 2160p, 23.98fps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio and LPCM 1.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)

Blu-ray: RRP: £29.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1536 / 12
Japan / 1961, 1962 / black and white / 110, 96 minutes / Japanese language with English subtitles / original aspect ratio 2.35:1 BD50 x 2: 1080p, 23.98fps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio and LPCM 1.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)

[nicolas]

Comparison Criterion - BFI - Toho 4K:

This was a bit more difficult to compare as all editions have their strengths and weaknesses. Audio comparisons are simply from listening carefully but I’ll try and follow this up with our audio wizards in the coming days to get a more definitive answer here.

In short, Criterion and BFI have different masters and mixes. BFI most certainly got the video masters Toho used for their 4K discs and all three have different sound mixes. BFI subtitles were already mentioned to have full stops. Translations are different but I can’t comment further on this. (Will try to follow up here too with someone at the other forum).

PQ:

Yojimbo: PQ on the BFI is excellent with slightly more image detail than the Criterion. HDR grade is good with better graduations in colors and luminance (highlights) than Seven Samurai and Wages of Fear. Haven’t seen the entire film yet in 4K but no visible DNR. Criterion also looks great in SDR but it’s not as sharp as the BFI. Again, two different masters which makes it tricky to assess as the Criterion doesn’t look filtered and the BFI doesn’t look sharpened. It could be that the HDR pass enhanced grain and / or Fidelity was able to restore the detail Toho’s encode filtered out. No “super grain” on either of them, neither two grain fields on top.

Sanjuro: PQ on the BFI & Toho is noticeably inferior due to DNR. The HDR grade is again nicely done and on first glance there’s again more detail compared to the Criterion but Toho heavily degrained certain sections of the film. The same sequences appear that way on the BFI. *Criterion has grain intact throughout*.

AQ:

Both films: My personal ranking for the Mono: Toho > Criterion > BFI, Perspecta: Toho & BFI (sound identical to me) > Criterion. Hopefully more to come here soon!

In the end, is the BFI worth it? No, if you only get them for the films themselves. Yes, if you want HDR and / or the Perspecta mixes but don’t mind periodic DNR on Sanjuro. Bonus materials are obviously different.

What will I use to watch the films? Likely the Criterion with the Perspecta mixes or the BFI for Yojimbo.

[hearthesilence]

Pretty annoying. I'll have to revisit Sanjuro and see if I need to get both, otherwise the Toho UHD may be the best compromise if I only pick up Yojimbo. (I preferred Toho's UHD's look over Criterion's UHD.) I vaguely recall someone making the argument for Sanjuro over Yojimbo, but in the past I've much preferred Yojimbo.

[ryannichols7]

very irritating to me as these movies, while a ton of fun, aren't particularly favorites and I didn't really want to have to upgrade the Criterion alongside the BFI. I'll probably get the BFI now and give them a spin and see how I am with them. I have noted elsewhere (on the Radiance discord especially) that the BFI's subtitle translations have actually been bothering me - it's more obvious during movies I know well The Seventh Seal and Ikiru most recently) than what I usually notice from them. happy to pick up the BFI anyway though as their exclusive extras lately have been immaculate - Adrian Martin on Ikiru, Kenta McGrath on Stray Dog being notable recent examples I've gotten to hear (Martin's Seven Samurai track I'll do soon)

[Finch]

I've always preferred Sanjuro and still do, but appreciated Yojimbo more than before on my last viewing three years ago. I prefer Criterion's covers and subs for the Kurosawas but I didn't quite have the budget for this double bill today (upgraded Seven Samurai to 4K). High and Low should be out by the holiday sale so that would make a nice trio!

[ryannichols7]

I've always preferred Sanjuro and still do, but appreciated Yojimbo more than before on my last viewing three years ago. I prefer Criterion's covers and subs for the Kurosawas but I didn't quite have the budget for this double bill today (upgraded Seven Samurai to 4K). High and Low should be out by the holiday sale so that would make a nice trio!

had no problem waiting on July for this duo, I had bigger priorities in this sale and my mind already made up. High and Low coming in July as I suspect would be lovely. Criterion's subtitling for the Kurosawa titles is a substantial difference, something that may be very evident when Throne of Blood comes out

Sanjuro I think doesn't get enough credit, it's a ton of fun. Yojimbo has maybe my favorite title sequence in any movie, which has to count for something

Nicolas do you mind telling us what the packaging is like? is it a standard 2 disc scanovo or is it like the Seven Samurai edition?

[redbill]

Packing is basically the same as Seven Samurai, except the booklet is smaller so its in the case instead of the slip box (or whatever those are called).

[nicolas]

Packaging is as redbill said in a slip case. Case is one of those thicker UK-style black elite cases with two discs, so overall it’s not much taller and thicker than any regular UK disc.

[ryannichols7]

Packing is basically the same as Seven Samurai, except the booklet is smaller so its in the case instead of the slip box (or whatever those are called).

Packaging is as redbill said in a slip case. Case is one of those thicker UK-style black elite cases with two discs, so overall it’s not much taller and thicker than any regular UK disc.

interesting. looking forward to getting this in, BFI have been experimenting with different packaging schemes which I appreciate. Orbit had this in stock so I just ordered it - hopefully will get Saturday but most likely will be Monday (even though I'm in state!)

[nicolas]

Packing is basically the same as Seven Samurai, except the booklet is smaller so its in the case instead of the slip box (or whatever those are called).

Packaging is as redbill said in a slip case. Case is one of those thicker UK-style black elite cases with two discs, so overall it’s not much taller and thicker than any regular UK disc.

interesting. looking forward to getting this in, BFI have been experimenting with different packaging schemes which I appreciate. Orbit had this in stock so I just ordered it - hopefully will get Saturday but most likely will be Monday (even though I'm in state!)

Great news, looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Here are some Yojimbo screenshots in the meantime: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php? ... tcount=109

[rapta]

Packing is basically the same as Seven Samurai, except the booklet is smaller so its in the case instead of the slip box (or whatever those are called).

Packaging is as redbill said in a slip case. Case is one of those thicker UK-style black elite cases with two discs, so overall it’s not much taller and thicker than any regular UK disc.

interesting. looking forward to getting this in, BFI have been experimenting with different packaging schemes which I appreciate. Orbit had this in stock so I just ordered it - hopefully will get Saturday but most likely will be Monday (even though I'm in state!)

In short, the recent BFI Kurosawa releases packaging-wise have been the following:

Seven Samurai - hard slipbox, book, poster
Yojimbo & Sanjuro - card slipcase, booklet
Stray Dog, High and Low - keepcase, booklet (no slipcase)

I can't tell if Throne of Blood will have a slipcase or not, guess we'll find out on release (and The Hidden Fortress too if we're lucky enough).

[Finch]

Donald McDonald on BR thinks the Criterions have better, as in less muffled audio than the BFIs.