I must admit I was taken aback by the setting—the 19th century—because I had always pictured it taking place earlier. However, that doesn't lessen the impact of the narrative; Kurosawa once more features Yoshirô Mifune ("Sanjûrô") in a central role. He portrays a traveling samurai who comes across a village embroiled in conflict. Both opposing leaders try to enlist his services, and he skillfully manipulates them against each other—maintaining stability—until one of their sons shows up with a pistol, disrupting the equilibrium. Mifune is excellent as this unconventional, honorable, and occasionally humorous ronin; I was reminded somewhat of Clint Eastwood's characters in Sergio Leone’s movies—possessing a ruthless, violent side, but only directed at those who deserve it. The film unfolds deliberately, allowing for considerable character development, which made me feel genuinely connected to Mifune and his friend, the innkeeper (Eijirô Tôno), as their danger steadily escalates. The rest of the performers contribute effectively to the suspense, as does the recurring use of weather elements in establishing a compelling atmosphere—making this an outstanding film that is certainly worth seeing.

Source on TMDB