Sanjuro (1962)
Kurosawa’s 1962 Yojimbo sequel. Mifune returns as the ronin. The final-fountain-of-blood draw became foundational anime image.
Ryuzo Kikushima
This archive gathers the films written by Ryuzo Kikushima reviewed at Master of Worlds: “High and Low (1963)”, “Sanjuro (1962)”, “The Hidden Fortress (1958)”, “Throne of Blood (1957)”, and “Yojimbo (1961)” — 5 titles in all. Seen together they show a consistent sensibility across different films. The reviews focus on the screenplay as craft — what it contributes, how it serves each story, and what separates the work from the ordinary version of the same material. Rather than rank the films, the collection treats them as a body of work worth examining. The list expands as additional titles are added.
The Hidden Fortress (1958)
Kurosawa’s 1958 medieval adventure. Mifune as general, two bumbling peasants. Lucas cited as Star Wars influence.
Yojimbo (1961)
Kurosawa’s 1961 samurai-noir. Mifune as the masterless ronin who plays two factions against each other. Direct source for Fistful of Dollars and Last Man Standing.
Throne of Blood (1957)
Kurosawa’s 1957 Macbeth set in feudal Japan. Mifune as Washizu. The arrow finale is among the most committed practical-effects sequences ever filmed.
High and Low (1963)
Kurosawa’s 1963 kidnapping procedural. Mifune as the shoe executive. First hour in one room, then the film cracks open. Adapted from an Ed McBain novel.