Gambler Tales of Hasshu: A Man's Pledge

This is one of the many films based on the legend of Chuji Kunisada, a wandering gambler and a defender of the weak in the Edo period. In other words, he was the Japanese Robin Hood. In this film Kunisada (Chiezo Kataoka) arrives to a small town terrorized by an evil gang. He insists that he is not Kunisada, as the word is Kunisada has been executed, but of course the audience know better. Sonny Chiba plays an unusual supporting role as a helpless young man unable to defend himself from the gangsters. He does, however, get to play taiko drums and dance with Junko Fuji (who makes her film debut here). Chiba's father, an old judge who helps Kunisada, is played by Takashi Shimura. The film hardly anything exceptional, but it's a pretty decent jidai geki / yakuza drama.

Loading countdown...
Tokyo Mafia: Yakuza Blood

Tokyo Mafia: Yakuza Blood

1997

Deliver Us from Evil

Deliver Us from Evil

2020

The Shogun’s Guard: Valor in Turbulence

The Shogun’s Guard: Valor in Turbulence

1960

Gambler's Farewell

Gambler's Farewell

1968

Shinjuku Swan

Shinjuku Swan

2015

The Coin Thrower Zenigata

The Coin Thrower Zenigata

1963

ICHI

ICHI

2008

Enlisted Yakuza

Enlisted Yakuza

1968

Kisan Detective Story: The Mysterious Doll-Maker

Kisan Detective Story: The Mysterious Doll-Maker

1953

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx

1972

The Witness Killed

The Witness Killed

1961

Ankokugai zenmetsu sakusen

1965

New Tale of Zatoichi

New Tale of Zatoichi

1963

Zatoichi the Fugitive

Zatoichi the Fugitive

1963

The Sword of Doom

The Sword of Doom

1966

Wolves, Pigs & Men

Wolves, Pigs & Men

1964

Warau Iemon

Warau Iemon

2004

Samurai Rebellion

Samurai Rebellion

1967

Kids Return

Kids Return

1996

Gemini

Gemini

1999