Finally got to see it this afternoon.
WOW
Excellent performance by Takashi Shimura. Toshiro Mifune gets a lot of credit for his performances in Kurosawa's flicks, but I've never heard Shimura mentioned as prominently. His portrayal on Watanabe ranks right up there with anything Mifune has done. I couldn't believe this was the same guy who played the leader of the Seven Samurai. Quite moving stuff.
I haven't explored the extras on the DVD, but it looks like the most in-depth Kurosawa film Criterion has put out so far. Too bad The Hidden Fortress didn't get such deluxe treatment.