I've heard this being called "Japan's Gone With the Wind" and so far I love it. This is probably my most enjoyable Toshirô Mifune performance. I have to give props to Hiroshi Inagaki on the directing of this film. He told a delightful story and keep it well pace throughout. I am now currently eagerly awaiting to watch both Samurai II and Samurai III which I should do in the next 2 days or so.
