Sansho the Bailiff

Name: Sansho the Bailiff
Genre: Drama
Released: January 1, 1955
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 96
Cast: Akitake Kôno, Eitarô Shindô, Kazukimi Okuni, Ken Mitsuda, Kimiko Tachibana

1955

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	Your Score
7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Brandon Films | Release Date: January 1, 1955 | Not Rated

Starring: Akitake Kôno, Eitarô Shindô, Kazukimi Okuni, Ken Mitsuda, Kimiko Tachibana, Kinuyo Tanaka, Kyôko Kagawa, Masao Shimizu, Yôko Kosono, Yoshiaki Hanayagi

Summary: When an idealistic governor disobeys the reigning feudal lord, he is cast into exile, his wife and children left to fend for themselves and eventually wrenched apart by vicious slave traders. Under Kenji Mizoguchi’s dazzling direction, this classic Japanese story became one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces, a monumental, empatheticWhen an idealistic governor disobeys the reigning feudal lord, he is cast into exile, his wife and children left to fend for themselves and eventually wrenched apart by vicious slave traders. Under Kenji Mizoguchi’s dazzling direction, this classic Japanese story became one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces, a monumental, empathetic expression of human resilience in the face of evil.… Expand

Director: Kenji Mizoguchi

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 124 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Wilmington

Jan 11, 2022

The star, again, is Mizoguchi's favorite actress, Kinuyo Tanaka, and the style is magisterial, exquisitely controlled--with Mizoguchi moving the story inexorably to an almost sublimely redemptive climax. [24 Mar 2006, p.C7]

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Jan 11, 2022

Perhaps Kenji Mizoguchi's greatest achievement, SANSHO THE BAILIFF is a visually mesmerizing picture that pays great and careful attention to the smallest details of nature and environment, highlighted by Mizoguchi's use of the long take and deep-focus shots. Read full review

100