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MTDb › Best of › 1961 › Yojimbo

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Yojimbo (1961)

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

8.1/10 · 1,758 votes 1h 50m nr ThrillerDrama

#1 of 13 films from 1961 #38 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by Akira Kurosawa · Written by Akira Kurosawa, Ryuzo Kikushima

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

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.

Cast

Toshirō Mifuneas Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
Tatsuya Nakadaias Unosuke, gunfighter
Yōko Tsukasaas Nui
Isuzu Yamadaas Orin
Daisuke Katōas Inokichi
Seizaburō Kawazuas Seibê - brothel operator
Takashi Shimuraas Tokuemon, sake brewer
Hiroshi Tachikawaas Yoichiro
Yōsuke Natsukias Kohei's Son
Eijirō Tōnoas Gonji, Tavern Keeper
Kamatari Fujiwaraas Tazaemon
Ikio Sawamuraas Hansuke
Atsushi Watanabeas The Cooper (Coffin-Maker)
Susumu Fujitaas Homma, Instructor Who Skips Town

Facts

Release dateApril 25, 1961
Runtime110 min (1h 50m) — shorter as the 1961 average of 121 min
GenresThriller, Drama
Original title用心棒
LanguageJA
IMDbtt0055630

More from Akira Kurosawa

Seven SamuraiSeven Samurai1954 · ★ 8.5 · 3h 27m High and LowHigh and Low1963 · ★ 8.4 · 2h 22m IkiruIkiru1952 · ★ 8.3 · 2h 23m The Hidden FortressThe Hidden Fortress1958 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 19m RashomonRashomon1950 · ★ 8.0 · 1h 28m RanRan1985 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 40m SanjuroSanjuro1962 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 36m Throne of BloodThrone of Blood1957 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 48m

If you liked Yojimbo

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

High and LowHigh and Low1963 · ★ 8.4 · 2h 22m Rear WindowRear Window1954 · ★ 8.3 · 1h 53m Woman in the DunesWoman in the Dunes1964 · ★ 8.2 · 2h 27m Le TrouLe Trou1960 · ★ 8.2 · 2h 12m Dial M for MurderDial M for Murder1954 · ★ 8.0 · 1h 45m The Wages of FearThe Wages of Fear1953 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 34m A Man EscapedA Man Escaped1956 · ★ 8.0 · 1h 41m DiaboliqueDiabolique1955 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 58m

Questions

How long is Yojimbo?
Yojimbo runs 110 minutes (1h 50m).
Is Yojimbo worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8.1/10 across 1,758 votes, which places it #1 of 13 films released in 1961 in this index (top 100%) and #38 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed Yojimbo?
Yojimbo was directed by Akira Kurosawa. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Seven Samurai (1954), High and Low (1963), Ikiru (1952).
Who stars in Yojimbo?
Toshirō Mifune as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai; Tatsuya Nakadai as Unosuke, gunfighter; Yōko Tsukasa as Nui; Isuzu Yamada as Orin; Daisuke Katō as Inokichi; Seizaburō Kawazu as Seibê - brothel operator.
What is Yojimbo rated?
It carries a nr certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Yojimbo?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/13125.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.