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Sansho the Bailiff

Original title: Sanshô dayû
  • 1954
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
20K
YOUR RATING
Yoshiaki Hanayagi, Kyōko Kagawa, and Kinuyo Tanaka in Sansho the Bailiff (1954)
JapaneseTragedyDrama

In medieval Japan, a compassionate governor is sent into exile. His wife and children try to join him, but are separated, and the children grow up amid suffering and oppression.In medieval Japan, a compassionate governor is sent into exile. His wife and children try to join him, but are separated, and the children grow up amid suffering and oppression.In medieval Japan, a compassionate governor is sent into exile. His wife and children try to join him, but are separated, and the children grow up amid suffering and oppression.

  • Director
    • Kenji Mizoguchi
  • Writers
    • Ogai Mori
    • Fuji Yahiro
    • Yoshikata Yoda
  • Stars
    • Kinuyo Tanaka
    • Yoshiaki Hanayagi
    • Kyōko Kagawa
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    20K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kenji Mizoguchi
    • Writers
      • Ogai Mori
      • Fuji Yahiro
      • Yoshikata Yoda
    • Stars
      • Kinuyo Tanaka
      • Yoshiaki Hanayagi
      • Kyōko Kagawa
    • 79User reviews
    • 84Critic reviews
    • 96Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos94

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    Top Cast42

    Kinuyo Tanaka
    Kinuyo Tanaka
    • Tamaki
    Yoshiaki Hanayagi
    Yoshiaki Hanayagi
    • Zushiô
    Kyōko Kagawa
    Kyōko Kagawa
    • Anju
    Eitarō Shindō
    Eitarō Shindō
    • Sanshô Dayû
    Ichirō Sugai
    Ichirō Sugai
    • Niô - Old Escaped Slave
    • (as Ichirô Sugai)
    Bontarō Miake
    • Kichiji
    Yôko Kosono
    Yôko Kosono
    • Kohagi
    Chieko Naniwa
    Chieko Naniwa
    • Ubatake
    Kikue Môri
    Kikue Môri
    • Priestess
    Ken Mitsuda
    Ken Mitsuda
    • Fujiwara no Morozane
    Masao Shimizu
    Masao Shimizu
    • Taira no Masauji
    Ryōsuke Kagawa
    Ryōsuke Kagawa
    • Kumotake Ritsushi
    Akitake Kôno
    Akitake Kôno
    • Tarô
    Kanji Koshiba
    • Kuranosuke Kudô
    Shinobu Araki
    • Sadayû
    Masahiko Tsugawa
    Masahiko Tsugawa
    • Zushiô Young
    • (as Masahiko Katô)
    Keiko Enami
    Keiko Enami
    • Anju Young
    Naoki Fujima
    • Zushiô Infant
    • Director
      • Kenji Mizoguchi
    • Writers
      • Ogai Mori
      • Fuji Yahiro
      • Yoshikata Yoda
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews79

    8.320.1K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Sansho the Bailiff' Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

    Nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque
    Lorem ipsum dolorSit amet consecteturAdipiscing elitSed do eiusmodTempor incididuntUt labore et doloreMagna aliquaUt enim ad minimVeniam quisNostrud exercitation
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    Drama

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      This film, like several films by director Kenji Mizoguchi from this period, was widely praised in both Japan and the West for its smoothly flowing camera work. But these camera movements were, in fact, planned and blocked by his great cameraman, Kazuo Miyagawa, rather than by the director, who gave Miyagawa free rein in his use of the camera.
    • Quotes
      • Masauji Taira: [Speaking to his son Zushio on the verge of being exiled and separated from his family] Zushio, I wonder if you'll become a stubborn man like me. You may be too young to understand, but hear me out anyway. Without mercy, man is like a beast. Even if you are hard on yourself, be merciful to others. Men are created equal. Everyone is entitled to their happiness.
    • Connections
      Featured in Cinematic Venom Presents: 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die: Sansho The Bailiff (1954) (2017)

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    Details

    • Release date
      • 1955 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Legend of Bailiff Sansho
    • Filming locations
      • Japan
    • Production company
      • Daiei Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,267
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 2h 4m(124 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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