6.6/10
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In the Realm of the Senses (1976)

Ai no korîda (original title)
NC-17 | | Biography, Drama, Horror | 1 April 1977 (USA)
In the Realm of the Senses Poster
A passionate telling of the story of Sada Abe, a woman whose affair with her master led to a sexual obsession which then came to a violent end.

Director:

Nagisa Ôshima

Writer:

Nagisa Ôshima

Stars:

Tatsuya Fuji, Eiko Matsuda, Aoi Nakajima | See full cast & crew »
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4 wins. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tatsuya Fuji ... Kichizo Ishida
Eiko Matsuda ... Sada Abe
Aoi Nakajima Aoi Nakajima ... Toku
Yasuko Matsui Yasuko Matsui ... Tagawa Inn Manager
Meika Seri Meika Seri ... Matsuko (Yoshidaya maid)
Kanae Kobayashi Kanae Kobayashi ... Old geisha Kikuryû
Taiji Tonoyama ... Old Beggar
Kyôji Kokonoe ... Teacher Ômiya
Naomi Shiraishi Naomi Shiraishi ... Geisha Yaeji
Shinkichi Noda Shinkichi Noda
Komikichi Hori Komikichi Hori ... Mitsuwa Geisha
Kikuhei Matsunoya Kikuhei Matsunoya ... Hôkan jester
Akiko Koyama Akiko Koyama ... Mansaki Geisha
Yuriko Azuma Yuriko Azuma ... Mitsuwa Geisha
Rei Minami Rei Minami ... Mitsuwa Geisha
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Based on a true story set in pre-war Japan, a man and one of his servants begin a torrid affair. Their desire becomes a sexual obsession so strong that to intensify their ardor, they forsake all, even life itself. Written by Allen Brown <browna@ohsu.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

sex in public | object in vagina | unsimulated sex | food in vagina | group sex | See All (144) »

Taglines:

The most talked about film in the world today See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Horror | Romance | Thriller

Certificate:

NC-17 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

Japan | France

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

1 April 1977 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

In the Realm of the Senses See more »

Filming Locations:

Daiei-Kyoto Studios, Kyoto, Japan See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Argos Films, Oshima Productions, Shibata Organisation See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(original) | (2000 re-release) | (DVD) | (final) | (reconstructed version) (R-rated) (reconstructed)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.50 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

"Ai no korîda" actually translates to "Bullfight of love". See more »

Quotes

Kichizo: You want to make love all the time, huh?
Sada Abe: You don't think it's wrong, do you?
Kichizo: I think it's wonderful. You're beautiful.
Sada Abe: I was afraid of not being like others. I was so worried about it, I even went to see a doctor. He said I was sensitive where sex was concerned.
Kichizo: Sensitive? I hope it's incurable. Because I adore your oversensitivity.
See more »

Alternate Versions

Passed completely uncut in the UK in 2011, the previous cut by optical reframing now waived. See more »

Connections

Referenced in L'age d'or du X (2006) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the differences between the old BBFC 18 Version and the Uncensored Version?
See more »

User Reviews

terrifying
15 August 2002 | by Beast-5 – See all my reviews

IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES explores sexual obsession and the extremes to which it drives the characters. I saw the uncut version,readily available at the Cleveland Public Library. It was indeed sexually graphic,reaching a point where the act seems to be driven by a kind of symbiosis that can only culminate in one way. The ending is one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen in a movie. Do not confuse

this movie with the vastly inferior IN THE REALM OF PASSION.
12 of 22 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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