Yukinojo Henge (An Actor's Revenge) (1963)
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92% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
88% of users liked it
(406 ratings)
In this renowned and classic Japanese film directed by Kon Ichikawa, the great Kabuki onnagata Kasuo Hasegawa celebrates his 300th film appearance in a role designed especially for him. One of the classic theater styles of Japan, Kabuki does not use women in female roles. Highly trained male actors,… More In this renowned and classic Japanese film directed by Kon Ichikawa, the great Kabuki onnagata Kasuo Hasegawa celebrates his 300th film appearance in a role designed especially for him. One of the classic theater styles of Japan, Kabuki does not use women in female roles. Highly trained male actors, called "onnagata," perform in them, and are often more convincing as women than many women might be. In the story, set in 1836, Yukinojo (Kasuo Hasegawa) is an onnagata, travelling to Edo in feminine disguise. On his journey, he recognizes three ruthless merchants who ruined his father's business, driving him to suicide. Pledged to revenge his father's death, he follows them, and with the help of a mysterious bandit martial artist named Yamitaro (also Hasegawa), fulfills his pledge, even though this means the destruction of one of the merchant's innocent daughters, who has fallen in love with him. Actor Hasegawa performed these same roles in a 1935 film version of this same story, directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa, who consulted on this film. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Directed By
- Kon Ichikawa
- Written By
- Daisuke Itô, Teinosuke Kinugasa, Natto Wada
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jun 16, 1971 Limited
- Studio
- Daiei Studios
Critic Reviews
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Lawrence O'Toole, Entertainment Weekly
Director Kon Ichikawa works wonders with wide-screen images, including some scenes of dazzling swordplay.
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Elliott Stein, Village Voice
An eccentric masterpiece
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, Time Out
A film of phenomenal all-round accomplishment, with daringly stylised visuals.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
One of the most dazzling and stylistically audacious Japanese films ever made.
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David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
A masterclass in satirically nostalgic New Wave modernism.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Kazuo Hasegawa
as Yukinojo Nakamura/Yamitaro the Thief
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Fujiko Yamamoto
as Ohatsu
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Ayako Wakao
as Namiji
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Raizô Ichikawa
as Hirutaro
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Shintarô Katsu
as Hojin
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Ganjiro Nakamura
as Sansai Dobe
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Eiji Funakoshi
as Heima Kadokura
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Jun Hamamura
as Isshosai
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Chitose Maki
as Townswoman
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Kikue Mori
as Cruel Old Woman
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Eijirô Yanagi
as Hiromi-ya
- Chusha Ichikawa
- Narutoshi Hayashi
- Saburo Date
