Sansho the Bailiff
山椒大夫
Japan • 1954
Director
#386Criterion Collection →Synopsis
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, empathetic expression of human resilience in the face of evil.
Synopsis
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, empathetic expression of human resilience in the face of evil.
Credits
Crew
DirectorKenji Mizoguchi
WriterFuji Yahiro, Yoshikata Yoda
CinematographerKazuo Miyagawa
ComposerKanahichi Odera, Tamekichi Mochizuki, Fumio Hayasaka
EditorMitsuzō Miyata
ProducerMasaichi Nagata