The combination of Western and samurai film elements works surprisingly well, as those genres share more similarities than one might initially assume. It’s a genuinely enjoyable motion picture.

A train journeying through America, transporting the newly named Japanese Imperial Ambassador, becomes the target of a robbery orchestrated by “Gauche” (Alain Delon) and his crew. Their prize: a samurai sword intended as a present from the Meiji Emperor to President Grant. The task of recovering the stolen item now rests with "Jubei" (Toshirô Mifune), who finds an unexpected ally in one member of the gang, “Link” (Ch…