Sansho the Bailiff (1954)

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 (short story "Sanshô dayû"), Fuji Yahiro (screenplay)

Stars:

Kinuyo Tanaka, Yoshiaki Hanayagi, Kyôko Kagawa

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kinuyo Tanaka	...	Tamaki
Yoshiaki Hanayagi	...	Zushiô
Kyôko Kagawa	...	Anju
Eitarô Shindô	...	Sanshô dayû
Akitake Kôno	...	Taro
Masao Shimizu	...	Masauji Taira
Ken Mitsuda	...	Prime Minister Fujiwara
Kazukimi Okuni	...	Norimura
Yôko Kosono	...	Kohagi
Kimiko Tachibana	...	Namiji
Ichirô Sugai	...	Minister of Justice
Teruko Ômi	...	Nakagimi
Masahiko Tsugawa	...	Young Zushio (as Masahiko Kato)
Keiko Enami	...	Young Anju
Bontarô Akemi	...	Kichiji

Storyline

In mediaeval 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.

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Plot Keywords:

japan | governor | sacrifice | ethics | self sacrifice | 

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Taglines:

A film of unparalleled beauty by the great Japanese Master Kenji Mizoguchi

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sansho the Bailiff

Filming Locations:

Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daiei Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ranked number 61 non-English-speaking film in the critics' poll conducted by the BBC in 2018.

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Quotes

Taro: [to Zushio] I found that humans have little sympathy for things that don't directly concern them. They're ruthless. Unless those hearts can be changed, the world you dream of cannot come true. If you wish to live honestly with your conscience, keep close to the Buddha.

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Connections

Referenced in Ballad of Orin (1977)

User Reviews

exceptionally sad tale of the evils of medieval Japanese society

The story begins with the governor of a province being stripped of his position because he was too kind and thought foremost about the welfare of his people. This would upset the terror and repression used to control the people! His family is cast out of the land and it's unknown what the exact fate was of the kind governor. Not too long after that, the family is torn apart by bandits and the 13 and 8 year-old children are sold into slavery. Their mother, unknown to them, if forced into prostitution. Now if the movie only wallowed in this misery, I would have no doubt hated it. However, what is interesting is what the boy does 10 later when he finally escapes his slave master. His actions and his subsequent attempts to find his family make the movie well worth seeing. Yes, it is quite depressing but there are some good moments as well and the story kept my attention throughout.