Ep. 19: Yojimbo (1961)

This week we bring on fellow Twin Geeks writer Graham Austin to discuss the samurai classic, Akira Kurosawa's masterful Yojimbo. Making waves in both Japan and around the world first in 1961, this all-time great has stood the test of time and remains a pillar of the much beloved samurai genre. Toshiro Mifune is the laconic samurai incarnate, so perfectly embodying the role that he would become practically synonymous with this particular nameless warrior, which he so eloquently plays. Against him is he equally indelible Tatsuya Nakadai, paired here for the first time in their careers. They go toe-to-toe in a samurai showdown that is tense, thrilling, and masterfully staged. Truly, Yojimbo is one of the all time greats, and we shed some light on why it's one of our favorites here today.