YOJIMBO VS. FFOD

[Nobody]

I recently re-watched Miller's Crossing by the Coen Brothers. This film could also be called a Yojimbo remake in my opinion. The way Gabriel Byrne plays the gangs against each other. Then again, the outcome is quite different from Yojimbo and all its other remakes. But Miller's Crossing is definately inspired by the plot. In my opinion it's as good, if not better, than Yojimbo and FOD as well. But then again, opinions are like assholes, everybodys got one.

[mortimer]

Nice point on Millers Crossing. Definitely one of the Coen bros best work. Love the tommy gun scene accompanied by "Oh Danny Boy". What the hell got them from this movie to that POS "Intolerable Cruelty"

[David Aaronson]

I personally think that Yojimbo is the better movie...although it's almost a tie. Kurosawa's style was better developed at the time and better executed with Yojimbo, than Leone's style was when he made AFOD.
Also, I think Mifune takes the edge over Eastwood, because of his shoulder...

[Two Kinds of ...]

Fistfull is better.  I love Kurosawa but Yojimbo's ending isn't  nearly as cool as Fistfull's.  Isn't Yojimbo based on "Red Dust"?

[redyred]

Fistfull is better.  I love Kurosawa but Yojimbo's ending isn't  nearly as cool as Fistfull's.  Isn't Yojimbo based on "Red Dust"?

Yojimbo's ending is awesome. That shot where Ushi-Tora's gang is advancing is incredible. And then Sanjuro dodges bullets and throws his knife with deadly accuracy. Ok, there's no homemade armour but it still tops FoD easily.

[DJIMBO]

i think yojimbo's probably a better film, but theyre both examples of two great directors not quite at their peak but making bloody exciting films.

[The Smoker]

For me the stray dog with the severed hand in his mouth. Beats the dead guy (adios amigo) on a horse.

Just for a dose of what kind of town are Man is working into.

You really do a double take on it the first time. Its a fast one.. rewind button at hand 'no pun intended'  

The dog thing crops up quite a few times in Yojimbo.
Mifune charactor mentions something about 'Dogs being second class citizens in this town of crooks & villians etc' Sanjuro himself could be seen as a stray dog drifting into town to take what he wants, moving back and forth from gang to gang.

[dave jenkins]

i think yojimbo's probably a better film, but theyre both examples of two great directors not quite at their peak but making bloody exciting films.

That puts it rather well, I think.

[indio]

visitor you mentioned Sato's soundtrack to yojimbo earlier in this forum but i can't find it anywhere , do you know where to look?

[iceman]

Fellow Brethern,

First, lets be honest, Leone totally copied YOJIMBO.

But second, Kurosawa did his own copying from an American story (according to Something to do with death).

Third and most importantly, Leone's FFOD is by far superior...

Case in point:
1. Leone's introduction of Marisol from the beginning and Clint's building relationship with her is by far more powerful that Kurosawa's - It also produces mystery and tension throughout the first act and a good part of the second act - lastly, Ramon's desire to have Marisol returned is more strongly established than the Kurosawa's version, created a more intense explosion for the finally.

2. The idea that these Lord's would allow the Yojimbo to go back and forth and play them such fools is silly and maybe that's funny to the Japanese but I found it tiresome. Leone's who clock and dagger of the anti-hero made it so much better because we all know the dude is going to pay for it.

3. Leone's pacing is right on and in YOJIMBO, I found the pacing boring... and this is not to say Leone has a face paced film because he doesn't.

Man, I love Leone... I wish he could have made a few more films.

Is Yojimbo available on DVD?
iceman

[indio]

try it here iceman
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=title&r=R2&title=85055&p=57&g=72
i would recommend the sequel 'Sanjuro' as well (its not FOD) also 7 Samurai which was remade as the Mag. 7
or hidden fortress which was remade as Star Wars.

[almulock]

hear, hear!

[titoli]

I resaw the japanese this summer and thought how lucky was Kurosawa (not my favourite director) to have those two remakes of his movies. Expecially this one. I class FOD as my least favourite Leone, but I prefer it to Kurosawa's because of the high points: the first shooting (that marks the great divide between the old western and the new) and the final duel. Those are two great moments which I wouldn't give away for 10 Yojimbo. Probably (for sentimental reasons) even for the rest of Leone's filmography, with the exception of FFDM last duel and the Ecstasy of Gold. That also goes to say that Morricone's score is not perfect as those which will follow, but the final deguello and the titoli the (good) japanese composer could only dream them.

[dave jenkins]

These are going to look spectacular:
http://www.amazon.com/Yojimbo-Sanjuro-Kurosawa-Criterion-Collection/dp/B000K0YM0Y/sr=1-1/qid=1167345710/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1512335-1543158?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

[dave jenkins]

Beaver review/comparison: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews11/yojimbo.htm