A vengeful young man marries the daughter of a corrupt industrialist in order to seek justice for his father's suicide.
Read our editors' picks for the movies and shows we're watching in March, including "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," Boss Level, and Zack Snyder's Justice League.
Related News
-
Top 10 Toshirô Mifune Movies, According to IMDb
15 April 2020 | Screen Rant -
Film Review: Yojimbo (1961) by Akira Kurosawa
07 April 2020 | AsianMoviePulse -
Film Review: The Bad Sleep Well (1960) by Akira Kurosawa
29 March 2020 | AsianMoviePulse
Looking for something new to add to your Watchlist? Check out our favorite stills from shows you can stream now on Paramount +.
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: The Bad Sleep Well (1960)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
3 wins & 1 nomination.
See more awards »
Edit
Cast
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
It is a high-profile wedding: the daughter of Mr Iwabuchi, a wealthy businessman, is marrying Mr Nishi, a car salesman. However, Mr Iwabuchi and other senior members of his company are suspected of corporate malfeasance and the wedding becomes a bit of a farce, with the press swarming all over it. To add to the discord, the company officials are rather publicly reminded of an ignominious event which occurred a few years ago - a senior employee committed suicide by jumping from the 7th floor of their offices. Now other senior officials are committing suicide and it looks like it is related to that death of a few years ago. Written by grantss
Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
[realizing it it's daytime]
Public Corporation Vice President Iwabuchi: Oh, my mistake. I didn't sleep at all last night and seem to have mistaken night for day.
See more »
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss
Played before and during the arrest
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
DIRECTOR_TRADEMARK(Akira Kurosawa): [weather]: Wada's colleague accountant's suicide occurs during a rainy day; rain and wind are shown while Nishi and Itakura interrogate Moriyama. See more »Quotes
Public Corporation Vice President Iwabuchi: Good night, then.[realizing it it's daytime]
Public Corporation Vice President Iwabuchi: Oh, my mistake. I didn't sleep at all last night and seem to have mistaken night for day.
See more »
Alternate Versions
Originally released at 151 in Japan; USA version removes 16 minutes of footage. See more »Soundtracks
Roses from the South (Rosen aus dem Süden, Op. 388)(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss
Played before and during the arrest
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
JapanLanguage:
JapaneseRelease Date:
22 January 1963 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Bad Sleep Well See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$15,942, 28 July 2002Gross USA:
$46,808Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$46,808Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Arguably the darkest, bleakest & most cynical of all Akira Kurosawa films, The Bad Sleep Well is an impressive amalgamation of assured direction, excellent writing & solid performances that not only works as an effective & engaging revenge drama but also serves as a sharp critique of corporate corruption.
The story begins with a masterly curated wedding sequence that aptly introduces all the relevant characters, and paves its foundation by letting the news reporters provide background details about each through their gossips. The revenge plan is already in motion when the film starts, and that scene does well to bring us up to date.
The set pieces are refined, detailed & beautifully lit while the fluid camerawork & crisp greyscale photography provide the imagery its rich intensity & timeless flair. Editing is carried out well for the most part but pacing does slip a little before the third act. All the actors play their roles responsibly, plus it's got Takashi Shimura in a rare villainous role.
Overall, The Bad Sleep Well finds Akira Kurosawa in complete control of his craft, and is yet another quality addition to the legendary auteur's oeuvre. Maintaining its firm grip on audience, the film is tense, captivating & thrilling for the majority of its 151 mins runtime before culminating with an ending that hits close to real-life. In short, an underrated & underseen gem.