Sansho the Bailiff

Sansho the Bailiff Photos

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Cast & Crew

Kinuyo Tanaka
Tamaki

Yoshiaki Hanayagi
Zushiô

Kyoko Kagawa
Anju

Eitaro Shindo
Sanshô dayû

Akitake Kono
Taro

Masao Shimizu
Masauji Taira

Ken Mitsuda
Prime Minister Fujiwara

Chieko Naniwa
Ubatake

Kenji Mizoguchi
Director

Ogai Mori
Writer

Fuji Yahiro
Screenwriter

Yoshikata Yoda
Screenwriter

Masaichi Nagata
Producer

Kazuo Miyagawa
Cinematographer

Mitsuzô Miyata
Film Editing

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Audience Reviews for Sansho the Bailiff

• May 06, 2013

  One of the greatest accomplishments in the history of film, concerning a family torn apart after the father, a governor, is exiled due to sticking to his morals, and how the rest of his family is sold into slavery and prostitution after attempting to find him. A damning display of slavery and a heroic tale of perseverance, there isn't an inch of pretentiousness to 'Sansho', more so a delicate simplicity that makes its points very well and never loses focus on its overarching message of honesty and integrity are two of the most important traits we as humans should possess. Almost unbearable to watch at times just because of how disturbing the conditions these slaves have to work under are, but there is always a ray of light at the end of the tunnel that takes form in the second half of the film with splendid, moving results. A dynamite, important film.
  

  Dan S Super Reviewer
• Mar 29, 2012

  Kenji Mizoguchi's 1954 film "Sansho the Bailiff" is positively Dickensian in it's measure of human suffering, although it is apparently an old japanese fable about the virtues of mercy and compassion. When the governor of a province refuses to crack down and execute some protestors, he and his family are exiled. His wife and children are separated from him, and on their way to re-join the father they are abducted by slave traders and sold into slavery. The mother is sold to a brothel and the brother and sister are sold to Sansho the bailiff, who is overseer of the mansion belonging to the Minister of the right. Conditions for slaves there are deplorable, but the children must bide their time if they ever want to escape back to their parents. The story is quite a tear-jerker, and undoubtably a crowd pleaser with it's injustices being shown up in the end by the virtues of compassion and mercy. It's quite poignant to say the least (and I'm sure if Charles Dickens were asian and alive in the 1950s, I'm sure he'd say the same thing).
  Devon B Super Reviewer
• Dec 23, 2011

  Sure it is a simple "folky" tale...and sure some of acting is a bit over the top at times (looking at you Zushio) but Mizoguchi tells (and shoots) it in a way that you can not help but enjoy.
  Robert C Super Reviewer
• Jun 17, 2011

  Sansho the Bailiff is a brutally heart wrenching film about a family torn apart and sold into slavery despite their wealth and family name. The film explores themes of redemption and acceptance as well as kindness and staying true to oneself and morality. Beautifully filmed with amazing landscape shots and plenty of long shots, Sansho the Bailiff is stunning to watch and filled with emotion. It's more a drama and doesn't contain traditonal samurai battles but rather keeps the story and characters the sole focus, and this gives it humanity and helps connect the viewer. Highly Recommended for Japanese film lovers or Classic film fans that want an emotional but utterly hopeful drama.
  

  Chris B Super Reviewer