This is a brilliant movie, like a spaghetti western and a James Bond film wrapped in a kimono. I can see why it's on the 60s list, it just oozes with that 60s bravado and charm. Kurosawa is just plain brilliant, all his films are so well put together. The actors are all great, the editing is done very well, the music is so great, even something light like this film is damn near perfect. Kurosawa was a brilliant craftsman and very careful about how he put his films together even the small ones.

Akira's most watchable movie thus far - highly recommended to Akira's firs timers. Great entertaining value without compromising the plot and acting. Toshiro Minfune is exceptional as always. Comparing to Yojimbo, I like this a bit better due to its lighter tone and shorter running time. Yojimbo is greater in depth due to its more sophisticated plot; hence, yields a darker theme and serious tone.

Although I prefer Yojimbo on the whole (mainly because that plot is so fantastic - justly ripped off numerous times since) it's terrific to see Mifune reprising his role as the morally conflicted, permanently yawning and scratching wanderer who also happens to be the deadliest man alive with a katana. It's brilliantly paced with a great balance of astonishing action sequences and the building of tension. I was more delighted though to find just how funny this film is though - in particular the captured guard popping in and out of the cupboard to offer his opinion is absolutely priceless. Another superb Kurosawa in a career of wonders.