This sequel to Yojimbo finds Kurosawa with tongue firmly in cheek as he and Mifune enchantingly liven up the samurai plotline with a welcome dose of satire and some pointed digs at "the way of the warrior." Mifune's Sanjuro is a wandering, remarkably un-noble samurai just looking for a place to sleep and drink (not necessarily in that order), but unfortunately not even he can ignore the about-to-be-slaughtered plight of several hopelessly naïve, hopelessly incompetent youngsters battling corruption within their prefecture. Mifune plays Sanjuro like Bogart would a reluctant Robin Hood, cool and coiled, almost blasé as he wipes out hordes of enemy swordsmen, his interest piqued only when there are sake or women involved, or when squared off with villainous, stone-faced Tatsuya Nakadai in a memorable, literally explosive finale.

Sanjuro is repeated on Wednesday, December 11, and Friday, December 20.