Movie: The 47 Masterless Samurai

Top 7 Billed Cast

Utaemon Ichikawa
市川右太衛門

Chiezo Kataoka
片岡千恵蔵

Michiyo Kogure
木暮実千代

Hibari Misora
美空ひばり

So Yamamura
山村聰

Ryutaro Otomo
大友柳太朗

Hashizo Ōkawa
大川橋蔵

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  • Overview

    While the story of the Ako Clan's vendetta has been told countless times, never before has there been an array of major motion picture stars to bring new life to this timeless tale. Starting with the corrupt practices of Lord Kira and Yanagi-sawa, the Shogun's Secretary, which in essence led to the incident of Lord Asano's attacking Kira in the Pine Corridor of the Shogun's Palace, this is the definitive version. Asano Takumi no kami was a young lord with high scruples, who refused to join in the general corruption and bribery which ran rampant in the capital at that time. By not giving bribes, he angered Kira Kozuke no suke the elder lord in charge of protocol at the Palace. Refusing to teach the younger man, and giving him false instructions was only the beginning. Insults followed, and a man of honor had no choice but to draw his sword in anger. Forty seven masterless samurai are willing to give their lives to avenge their lord.

  • Release Date

    1959-01-15

  • Average

    7.2

  • Rating:

    3.6 starts
  • Tagline

  • Genres

  • Languages:

    日本語
  • Keywords

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