Video

Watch: Yojimbo vs A Fistful of Dollars

Words by Leigh Singer

A man wearing a dark cloak stands in a hazy, outdoor setting.
A man wearing a dark green coat stands in a snowy, urban environment.
A man wearing a dark cloak stands in a hazy, outdoor setting.
A man wearing a dark green coat stands in a snowy, urban environment.
Our latest Remake/Remodel video essay analyses the impact of Akira Kurosawa’s samurai epic on Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti western.

What are the chances that both a film and its remake shift the parameters of their respective genres – and help redefine action heroes’ star personas for decade to come? That’s the case with Japanese master Akira Kurosawa’s 1961 samurai epic Yojimbo and Sergio Leone’s western reimagining from 1964, A Fistful of Dollars.

Despite being made three years apart by filmmakers operating within specific cultural frameworks, there are some striking similarities between these now iconic works, as Leigh Singer shows in the latest instalment in our Remake/Remodel video essay series.

So, who is the last man standing: Clint Eastwood or Toshirô Mifune? Watch the full video below and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more.

You might like

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.