Old idols are overturned, and new ones are build high. The river of history ruthlessly washes up individual destinies, yet always leaving human nuggets shining behind. The hopelessness mocks any so-called mightiness, the human forgiveness carries on life.
Another excellent movie by Kurosawa. What's special about it is probably the Western movie's characteristics : the setting stage would have been fine for a Spaghetti movie, there are two clans fighting in the road, a corrupted sheriff, and even a gun. Not my favorite though.