Storyline
One of the great stories from Japan’s rich history comes to life in this true tale of the bloody showdown between two rival yakuza gangs in the 1840’s. The battle between Boss Sukegoro of Iioka and Boss Shigezo of Sasagawa has been portrayed many times, most notably in the first Zatoichi film, where the blind man befriends the tubercular ronin Hirate Miki, before cutting him down in one of the great duels in cinema history. This all-star extravaganza pulls out all the stops, with appearances by virtually all of the great actors and actresses from Toei’s studio at the time. Ichikawa Utaemon’s portrayal of the kind-hearted, noble yakuza boss Shigezo of Sasagawa contrasts sharply with the devious Sukegoro of Iioka. Corrupt as he may have been, his men were all willing to give up their lives for him.
Cast & Crew
Utaemon Ichikawa
Sasagawa no Shigezo
Lead
Chiyonosuke Azuma
Kiyotaki no Sakichi
Kinnosuke Nakamura
Sunosaki no Masakichi
Koinosuke Onoe
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Kōtarō Satomi
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Tomisaburō Wakayama
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Sentarō Fushimi
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Keiko Yukishiro
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What People Are Saying
4.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Yasushi Sasaki's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
3.0
“Every frame feels alive. A Spectacular Showdown is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
