Japanese Movie Listing - S
The Samurai series are definitely a classic trilogy of movies that are well worth watching. Also be sure to watch Sanjuro after you've first watched Yojimbo! There are plenty of other fun movies in this list as well that give views into a variety of Japanese cultural situations.Sad Whistle (1945)
Sakura Killers (1986)
The Sakura ninja steal a valuable gene splicing formula and are hunted down by two agents working for an American colonel. Chuck Connors, Mike Kelly, George Nichols, Cara Casey, Manji Otsuki.
Samurai I : Musashi Miyamoto (Miyamoto Musashi) (1954) D: Hiroshi Inagaki.
Ingaki's trilogy of films (Samura I - III) deal with the life of the famous swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. Inagaki's sentimental treatment follows the hero along the path to spiritual development, without which a warrior could not be a true samurai (at least in the movies). The first film trails young Musashi from his first taste of battle at Sekigahara, to his capture and education by the Buddhist priest, Takuan.
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijoji no Ketto) (1955) D: Hiroshi Inagaki.
In round two of Inagaki's trilogy, young Musashi further develops his skill. In the climactic battle with the Yoshioka school swordsman, Musashi reveals how he has become enlightened through his earnest pursuit of bushido.
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (Miyamoto Musashi Yori: Ketto Ganryujima) (1956) D: Hiroshi Inagaki.
Musashi has become an accomplished swordsman, but retreats to the soil of a farm to further polish his soul. In time, he must meet his arch adversary: Kojiro Sasaki. The film is loosely based on the legend of the famous duel at Ganryu Island in 1612.
Samurai Assassin (Samurai) (1965) 124m.
A tour-de-force in framing for the wide screen, Okamoto's masterpiece is based on the 1860 assassination of regent Naosuke Ii by anti-shogunate samurai, portrayed here as a stunning mass fight in a snowstorm. Kabuki actor Koshiro Matsumoto plays Ii, while Toshiro Mifune stars as a fictional character, an often unsympathetic, embittered, wrong-headed loser, at whom, however, one can't help shouting "No! No!" as he advances invincibly to his final, ironic doom. A brutal attack on a corrupt system of values, this is a powerful and punishing tragedy of near-Greek inevitability. Directed by Kihachi Okamoto. Written by Shinobu Hashimoto. With: Mifune, Matsumoto, Yunosuke Ito, Michio Aratama, Keiju Kobayashi. B&W, Japanese with English subtitles. [Daniel Richard]
Samurai Cowboy (1993 - Can).
Hiromigo Go, Catherine May Stewart. Stressed-out sarariiman buys a dude-ranch in Montana. Like City Slickers, but with Jse-US cultural misunderstandings on top of the urban-rural polarity.
 | Samurai Rebellion (Joiuchi) (1967) 120m. Powerful social critic Masaki (Human Condition ) Kobayashi uses the period form for a devastating attack on feudalism: his lord forces retainer Toshiro Mifune's son Takeshi Kato to marry the lord's own discarded mistress Yoko Tsukasa, then after they have found happiness demands her return. The incredibly built-up tension is orgasmically released in Mifune's-or anybody else's-most dramatically powerful one-against-all fight. In the final sequence, one of the cinema's greatest images: the wounded Mifune's bracing himself with his sword to rise. Winner of Japan's Oscar equivalent for Best Film. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi. Written by Shinobu Hashimoto, from the novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi. With: Mifune, Tsukasa, Kato, Tatsuya Nakadai. B&W, Japanese with English subtitles. [Daniel Richard] Also called "Rebellion" |
Samurai Reincarnation (Makai Tensho) (1981)
In 1638, the Shimabara Revolt that arose from the severe oppressive measures taken against Christians by the Shogunate government ends after a series of deadly fights, with 18 thousand rioters exterminated. Shiro Amakusa, leader of this revolt is beheaded and his face is put on public display, the night when thunder roars Shiro becomes reincarnated. Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Hiroyuki "Henry" Sanada, Tetsuro Tamba
Sandakan 8 (1980?)
Aged prostitute tells reporter tale of her life.
Sanjuro (Tsubaki Sanjuro) (1962) 96m (1962)
Painfully sincere young samurai stick their noses into a clan power struggle and must be bailed and straightened out by a grumpy Toshiro Mifune, repeating his role as Sanjuro in this very funny follow up to Yojimbo. (As blossoms floating on a stream cue a sneak attack, fugitive ladies applaud the esthetic effect.) Tatsuya Nakadai, resurrected, is once again the baddie; his showdown with Mifune comes to a startling conclusion, even to the actor, who was not informed beforehand what special effect would be used. Directed by Akira Kurosawa. Written by Ryuzo Kikushima, Hideo Oguni, and Kurosawa, from a novel by Shugoro Yamamoto. With: Mifune, Nakadai, Yuzo Kayama, Takako Irie, Keiju Kobayashi, Yunosuke Ito. B&W, Japanese with English subtitles.
Sanshiro Sugata (1943) (Sugata Sanshiro) D: Kurosawa Akira.
Kurosawa's first film as full director tells the story of a judo master during the Meiji era, who develops his skill along the path to enlightenment. A superb film, stunningly photographed and edited, fresh and modern even by today's standards.
Sanshiro Sugata Pt.2 (Zoku Sugata Sanshiro) (1945)
Surprisingly uninspired sequel. Story takes place five years after original. Directed by: Akira Kurosawa [Daniel Richard]
Sansho the Baliff (1954) 125m (orig 130m) (Sansho dayu)
A stunning period piece that sets humanism and democratic ideals on a collision course with cruelty and barbarism, Sansho the Bailiff was the third Mizoguchi work in a row to win a major prize at Venice (after The Life of Oharu and Ugetsu), and ranks as "one of the director's most awesome achievements" (Bloomsbury). In 11th-century Japan, a liberal-minded provincial governor is forced into exile by enemies who cannot abide his politics. When his wife and children set out to join him, they find themselves horribly victimized by slave traders. Sumptuously shot by Ugetsu and Rashomon cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa, and based on an ancient Japanese folk tale, Sansho offers "a timeless, humanist statement of injustice and suffering. The long takes, lingering long shots and the weaving camera create an elegiac mood and a deep involvement in the unfolding tale, making it often unbearably moving and yet never sentimental. . . [A] sublime work" (Bloomsbury). "A film that is both impassioned and elegiac, dynamic in its sense of the social struggle and the moral options, yet also achingly remote in its fragile beauty. The result is even more remarkable than it sounds" (Tony Rayns). Japan 1954. Director: Kenji Mizoguchi. Cast: Kinuyo Tanaka, Yoshiaki Hanayagi, Kyoko Kagawa, Eitaro Shindo. B&W, In Japanese with English subtitles. 125 mins. [Daniel Richard]
Sasaki Kojiro (1967) D: Inagaki Hiroshi.
Having chronicled the life of Miyamoto Musashi, Inagaki turned to Miyamoto's rival, Sasaki Kojiro. As in the Samurai Trilogy, this film is a remake of the director's previous version.
Sayonara (US: 1957) 147m
Romantic James Michener tale of Korean War pilot Marlon Brando falling in love with Japanese entertainer Miiko Taka; extremely well-made, with Oscar-winning support from Red Buttons and Miyoshi Ummeki; Oscars also for art direction and set direction. Theme song by Irving Berlin. Screenplay by Paul Osborn. Ricardo Montalban, Martha Scott, James Garner. D: Joshua Logan.
Scandal (Shubun) (1950) Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
The Secret of Blood Island (British: 1965)
Seven Nights in Japan (1976). With Michael York as a Prince of Wales-type going AWOL, falling in love, and finally doing the honorable thing.
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The Seven Samurai (1954) 200m. The classic movie that most know, even if they don't watch Japanese movies. It's Akira Kurosawa directing Toshiro Mifune and a few others :) It's what The Magnificent Seven was based on. A village is in trouble, and they convince a group of samurai to help them fight off the bandits. Each samurai is distinct, and the movie is great. D: Akira Kurosawa. (Lisa: definitely a good movie to see, have a long movie party!) |
Shiko Munagata: Master of Woodblock Prints (1973)
The Shinobi Ninja (Shinobi) (1981)
Last surviving member of the Koga ninja clan (played by Tadashi Yamashita) returns to Japan from the U.S. to save his homeland from enemy Iga ninja clan. Baddly dubbed into English. Eric Lee, Karen Sheperd, Yasuyoshi Shikamura
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Shogun (US: 1981) 125m Above average TV movie, edited from 10-hour miniseries, with graphic violence and nudity added along with subtitles. Emmy-winning saga from James Clavell novel about ship-wrecked British sailor in feudal Japan, taken under the wing of a powerful warrior to become the first Western samurai. Richard Chamberlin, Toshiro Mifune, John Rhys-Davies. D: Jerry London. Buy this one only if you can't afford the full version - the full version is AMAZING!! |
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Shogun FULL VERSION (US: 1981) 10 hours The full length miniseries! Emmy-winning saga from James Clavell novel about ship-wrecked British sailor in feudal Japan, taken under the wing of a powerful warrior to become the first Western samurai. Richard Chamberlin, Toshiro Mifune, John Rhys-Davies. D: Jerry London. It's a bit costly, but it *is* 10 hours long and has great acting and plot. |
Shogun Assassin (Japan/US: 1980) 86m D: Kenji Misumi
Coherent film brilliantly edited from first 2 features in 6 part Japanese "Sword of Vengeance" series about warrior who travels countryside pushing his young son in a baby cart, stopping only to get involved in an inordinate amount of combat. This English-dubbed version, narrated by the child, is an absolutely stunning visual ballet of fighting and bloodletting. Edited from prequel to LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH. Baby Cart Series Info
Shogun's Ninja (Ninja Bugeicho Momochi Sandayu) (1983)
In 16th Century Japan, an age-old rivalry between two ninja clans sparks a search for a dagger, which will lead to one clan's hidden gold. Dubbed into English. Hiroyuki "Henry" Sanada, Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba, Etsuko "Sue" Shiomi
Sisters of the Gion (1936) (Gion no Shimai)
Widely considered the best Japanese film of the prewar era, Mizoguchi's Sisters of Gion is set in the red light district of Kyoto, and was condemned as "decadent" by government censors for its realistic treatment of society's exploitation of women. The plot has Umekichi (Yoko Umemura), a geisha faithful to the old traditions, initiating her younger sister Omocha (Isuzu Yamada) into the trade. The decidedly modern ideas of Omocha -- she is determined to beat men at their own cynical game -- bring the two sisters into conflict, but both end up being badly treated by their respective lovers. Sisters of Gion stands as an exemplar of Mizoguchi's characteristic thematic concerns (the social position of women; the redemptive power of their love) and of his hallmark visual style (the long take, composition-in-depth, the fixed and distanced camera, the sequence shot). It remains a landmark in the development of realism in the Japanese cinema, and it won the Kinema Junpo award (Japan's top film prize) as Best Film of 1936, the only time a Mizoguchi work was so honoured. "This film displeased the censors, who cut 90 meters from its realistic story. When it was released, the film attracted only mediocre audiences, but critics applauded it. . . Serious filmmakers, and Mizoguchi himself, realized that a new style had been born" (Dudley Andrew). Japan 1936. Director: Kenji Mizoguchi. Cast: Isuzu Yamada, Yoko Umemura, Benkei Shiganoya. B&W, In Japanese with English subtitles. 69 mins. [Daniel Richard]
Sisters of Nishijin (1952)
Family of Kyoto silkweavers cannot adapt to industrialization; the father-patriarch kills himself, and his widow, daughter and assistants try to carry on. Excellent tale of greed and courage. D: Kozaburo Yoshimura.
Snow Country (1957) (Yukiguni) D: Toyoda Shiro.
An adaptation of Kawabata's famous novel. Shimamura is an artist from Tokyo who visits an onsen (hot spring) resort and has an affair with Komako, a geisha. Each has different needs and their worlds are far apart. Their affair finally confirms these contrasts.
Son of Godzilla (1969) 86m
Godzilla and son are threatened by huge mantises and giant spider. D: Jun Fukuda.
Station (1981) (Eki) D: Furuhata Yasuo.
A police action thriller. A detective/Olympic sharpshooter pursues a cop killer. He meets a woman and has an affair, but the woman becomes the key to apprehending the murderer.
The Streetfighter's Last Revenge (Satsujin-Ken 3) (1979)
The theft of a formula for synthetic heroin brings Terry Surugi (played by Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba) to the rescue. Second sequel to "The Streetfighter".
The Streetfighter (Gekitotsu! Satsujin-Ken) (1974)
Mercenary Terry Surugi (played by Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba) kicks everybody's butt in this fast paced martial arts flick.
Stopover Tokyo (1957).
With Joan Collins & Robert Wagner. Spy tale filmed in Japan, but with Joan Collins and Robert Wagner, don't expect miracles. Cinemascope.
Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939) 142m. (Zangiku Monogatari) A stunning harbinger of the mature Mizoguchi style, and a genuinely moving exploration of female self-sacrifice, a favourite Mizoguchi theme, this beautifully realized period piece is set in the world of Kabuki theatre in late-19th century Japan. Shotaro Hanayagi is Kikunosuke, spoiled scion of a famed Kabuki family, who finds himself expelled from the family bosom for his cavalier attitude towards his craft. When he takes up with Otoku (Kakuko Mori), a humble maid, her devotion and selflessness permit him to make the long climb up from poverty and hardship as a touring provincial performer to success and renown at the very top of his profession. The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums is a majestic work made up of masterfully mobile long-take sequence shots; this is the film in which the celebrated Mizoguchi mise-en-scène style truly came into its own. The director, for his part, cited Chrysanthemums as the point at which "I began really to make my own films." "Bristling with passion, Mizoguchi's film is a true find: a heartbreaker to end them all. . . [It] justif[ies] its reputation as the peak of Mizoguchi's filmmaking" (Time Out). "One of Mizoguchi's finest middle-period films . . [a] poignant tale of a woman's sacrifice for the man she loves" (Bloomsbury). "One of his most deeply `feminist' films. . . the Mizoguchi of Sisters of Gion [and] Tale of Late Chrysanthemums. . . is no doubt the greatest of all Japanese directors" (Noël Burch). Japan 1939. Director: Kenji Mizoguchi. Cast: Shotaro Hanayagi, Kakuko Mori, Gonjuro Kawarazaki, Kokichi Takada. B&W, In Japanese with English subtitles. [Daniel Richard]
Stray Dog (1949) (Nora Inu) D: Kurosawa Akira.
A young detective (played by Mifune Toshiro, in his third role for Kurosawa) has his gun stolen. Mifune searches Tokyo before apprehending the thief,who has used the pistol in a murder. At times, the identities of the detective and the thief/killer seem transferred. Long passages of pure cinema without dialogue.
The Street Fighter (Kugeki! Satsujin-Ken) (1974)
Mercenary Terry Tsuguri (played by Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba) kicks everybody's butt in this fast paced martial arts flick.
Street of Shame (1956) 88m. (Akasen chitai)
Street of Shame -- the Japanese title translates as "Red-Light District" -- was Mizoguchi's last completed film; the director died of leukemia, at the age of 58, in the year of its release. The film offers another fascinating exploration of Mizoguchi's hallmark concern -- the exploitation of women; in particular, women in prostitution -- but, with its episodic structure, and its unusually cynical, bitter tone, is also somewhat atypical of the director's work. Set in a Tokyo brothel called "Dreamland", and featuring an ensemble cast of superb actresses, the film profiles five prostitutes, and examines their various reasons for entering the trade. Mizoguchi scholar Jean Douchet has declared, "For me, along with Chaplin's M. Verdoux and Renoir's Rules of the Game, [Street of Shame] is the greatest film in the history of cinema." Few other critics are quite as effusive, but the work remains highly regarded. "Probably the best of all [the] films examining the problems of women in postwar Japan. . . it was the very first outstanding film on Japanese contemporary life to command a large American audience" (Donald Richie). "A penetrating social analysis. . . a realistic and violent study of the feminine condition. . . The acting is excellent" (Peter Morris). Director: Kenji Mizoguchi. Cast: Machiko Kyo, Ayako Wakao, Aiko Mimasu, Michiyo Kogure. B&W, In Japanese with English subtitles.[Daniel Richard]
Sword of Doom (Daibosatsu Toge) (1966) 122m.
Against the background of the Meiji Restoration, with plenty of historical characters getting ruthlessly debunked, evil fictional character Tatsuya Nakadai carves his way to an incredible climax, going beserk in a burning building filled with enemies. A cult item among buffs, this is the ultimate in action, boasting as it does three of director Okamoto's superbly staged one-against-all sword fights (one with Toshiro Mifune, here in a guest star role). Umpteenth filming of an an interminable bestseller, of which only a third was used for this version. Directed by Kihachi Okamoto. Written by Shinobu Hashimoto, from the novel by Kaizan Nakazato. With: Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Yuzo Kayama, Mifune. B&W, Japanese with English subtitles. [Daniel Richard]
Sword Of Heaven (1984)
A police officer uses a centuries-old samurai sword made from a meteorite to defeat the bad guys. Tadashi Yamashita.
Sword Of Vengeance (1972) D: Kenji Misumi
This is the first movie in the cult "Baby Cart" series. It traces the travels of a lone samurai, Ogami Itto, who pushes his baby around in a baby cart with him. In this first movie he has been betrayed by Yagyu and must deal with the traitors. The series is based on the comic book series Lone Wolf and Cub. Baby Cart Series Info
Japanese Movies by Title
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Japanese Movie Listing Main Page | Lisa's Favorite Japanese Movies | Japanese Movies By Director
Note that since each of these movies was seen by a normal human being, what you read here is just one person's opinion :) Your own opinion may of course be different! If you notice that a movie listing is missing or incorrect, please Contact Me (Really!! WRITE ME!!!) so I can update the list!
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