Sansho the Bailiff

Sansho the Bailiff (1954)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (10 reviews)

  • 94% of users liked it
    (3,530 ratings)

Kenji Mizoguchi's masterpiece opens in 11th-century Japan with an aristocratic woman Tamaki traveling through the woods with her daughter Anju, son Zushio, and maid. Through flashbacks, we learn that her husband, Taira no Masauji, was a local governor who was exiled because of his honesty and… More

Unrated, 2 hr. 12 min.
Directed By
Kenji Mizoguchi
Genres
Art House & International, Drama
In Theaters
Mar 31, 1954 Wide
On DVD
May 13, 1997

Critic Reviews

  • Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

    A richly layered masterpiece, Sanshô the Bailiff deserves a spot near the highest pantheon of world cinema.

  • Anton Bitel, Film4

    ...highlights Mizoguchi's own reputation as a "reckless consumer of prostitutes" who knew all too well the demi-mondes that he was portraying.

  • Anton Bitel, Film4

    an exceptional film, telling its complicated story in simple images, and creating order from the worst kind of moral chaos.

  • Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

    You are well aware at every moment that you are watching something that has been assembled with utmost precision.

  • Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

    Perfect.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Bob S


    A really beautiful, simple movie. Not my absolute favorite Mizoguchi but still freaking great. Brilliant acting and stunningly rich black and white cinematography. Set in the Heian period, during 11th century, well before most Japanese historical dramas.

  • First L


    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… More

  • Robert C


    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.

  • Randy T


    Orson Welles once said that Kenji Mizoguchi cannot be praised enough. After viewing <i>Sansho the Bailiff</i> I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree.

  • Stella D


    devastating tale of a nobleman's family sold into slavery in ancient japan. beautifully filmed and full of grief

Read all 12 featured audience ratings

Cast

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