Makoto Satō

Acting

Makoto Satō

Born March 18, 1934 · Kanzaki District, Saga, Saga Prefecture, Japan

Died December 6, 2012 · aged 78

Makoto Satō (18 March 1934 – 6 December 2012) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than one hundred films from 1953 to 2008.

Known For

Princess MononokePrincess Mononoke · 1997
Princess Mononoke
8.31997
MovieAdventureFantasy
Ashitaka, a prince of the disappearing Emishi people, is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. Along the way, he encounters San, a young human woman fighting to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, who is trying to destroy it. Ashitaka must find a way to bring balance to this conflict.
Fireflies: River of LightFireflies: River of Light · 2004
Fireflies: River of Light
5.02004
MovieDrama
After finally passing his teacher's exam, Miwa (Yukiyoshi Ozawa) devoted himself to teaching in a rustic primary school. He struggles to get through to his students, until he creates a class project to raise fireflies to fly over it once again. All students, even the reserved girl Hikari (Risako Sugaya), become passionately involved in the project. However, it brings them into conflict with parents and the school, one problem after another stands in his way.
The Hidden FortressThe Hidden Fortress · 1958
The Hidden Fortress
8.01958
MovieDramaAction
In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.
The EelThe Eel · 1997
The Eel
6.91997
MovieDramaCrime
A businessman kills his adulterous wife and is sent to prison. After his release, he opens a barbershop and meets new people, talking to almost no one except for an eel he befriended while in prison.
Rise and Fall of ChivalryRise and Fall of Chivalry · 1970
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
6.51970
Movie
A reformed gangster agrees to help a former yakuza member.
Outpost of HellOutpost of Hell · 1963
Outpost of Hell
7.01963
MovieActionWar
The fifth film of the desperado outpost series directed by Senkichi Taniguchi
Flames of BloodFlames of Blood · 1981
Flames of Blood
8.01981
MovieActionDrama
​The story follows the chance meeting between Senkichi, a wandering gambler on the run, and Orin, a blind musician who offers him kindness and shelter. As their lives become intertwined, they attempt to find a sense of peace and domesticity while caught in the crossfire of the violent Bakumatsu revolution.
Ninja HuntNinja Hunt · 1982
Ninja Hunt
1982
MovieActionTV Movie
It's a rare occasion when a noted filmmaker like Yamauchi Tetsuya gets to re-visit a previous film, and in this re-make of NINJA GARI, he not only does that, but has created an even better piece. While the original from 1964 starred the great old-time actor Konoe Jushiro, this version is perfectly cast with his son Matsukata Hiroki in the lead as Wadakuro, one of four ronin hired to fight against the Shogunate's plot to abolish the Gamo Clan, who are struggling to reinstate their young heir Tanemaru as their Lord. Facing the threat of the Koga Ninja, Wadakuro shows his own cruelty while on a personal vendetta. This is a very brutal film, with lots of realistic ninja action, violent deaths, a dark story line and is completely without any light-hearted 'humor' elements that Toei used to incorperate back in the golden era. And with Matsukata Hiroki's outstanding martial skills, the swordplay is even better in this one. This is definitely one of the best ninja movies ever made!

Movies

Princess MononokePrincess Mononoke · 1997
Princess Mononoke
8.31997
MovieAdventureFantasy
Ashitaka, a prince of the disappearing Emishi people, is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. Along the way, he encounters San, a young human woman fighting to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, who is trying to destroy it. Ashitaka must find a way to bring balance to this conflict.
Fireflies: River of LightFireflies: River of Light · 2004
Fireflies: River of Light
5.02004
MovieDrama
After finally passing his teacher's exam, Miwa (Yukiyoshi Ozawa) devoted himself to teaching in a rustic primary school. He struggles to get through to his students, until he creates a class project to raise fireflies to fly over it once again. All students, even the reserved girl Hikari (Risako Sugaya), become passionately involved in the project. However, it brings them into conflict with parents and the school, one problem after another stands in his way.
The Hidden FortressThe Hidden Fortress · 1958
The Hidden Fortress
8.01958
MovieDramaAction
In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.
The EelThe Eel · 1997
The Eel
6.91997
MovieDramaCrime
A businessman kills his adulterous wife and is sent to prison. After his release, he opens a barbershop and meets new people, talking to almost no one except for an eel he befriended while in prison.
Rise and Fall of ChivalryRise and Fall of Chivalry · 1970
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
6.51970
Movie
A reformed gangster agrees to help a former yakuza member.
Outpost of HellOutpost of Hell · 1963
Outpost of Hell
7.01963
MovieActionWar
The fifth film of the desperado outpost series directed by Senkichi Taniguchi
Flames of BloodFlames of Blood · 1981
Flames of Blood
8.01981
MovieActionDrama
​The story follows the chance meeting between Senkichi, a wandering gambler on the run, and Orin, a blind musician who offers him kindness and shelter. As their lives become intertwined, they attempt to find a sense of peace and domesticity while caught in the crossfire of the violent Bakumatsu revolution.
Ninja HuntNinja Hunt · 1982
Ninja Hunt
1982
MovieActionTV Movie
It's a rare occasion when a noted filmmaker like Yamauchi Tetsuya gets to re-visit a previous film, and in this re-make of NINJA GARI, he not only does that, but has created an even better piece. While the original from 1964 starred the great old-time actor Konoe Jushiro, this version is perfectly cast with his son Matsukata Hiroki in the lead as Wadakuro, one of four ronin hired to fight against the Shogunate's plot to abolish the Gamo Clan, who are struggling to reinstate their young heir Tanemaru as their Lord. Facing the threat of the Koga Ninja, Wadakuro shows his own cruelty while on a personal vendetta. This is a very brutal film, with lots of realistic ninja action, violent deaths, a dark story line and is completely without any light-hearted 'humor' elements that Toei used to incorperate back in the golden era. And with Matsukata Hiroki's outstanding martial skills, the swordplay is even better in this one. This is definitely one of the best ninja movies ever made!
A Man in RedA Man in Red · 1961
A Man in Red
8.01961
MovieDramaCrime
Takashi, who took the blame when his father shot a gangster, returns home after serving a four-year sentence, only to find it infested with yakuza running a dope ring. Battling gangsters all the way, Takashi searches for his former girlfriend, now a drug addict.
The Incident at TakanodaiThe Incident at Takanodai · 1973
The Incident at Takanodai
1973
MovieAction
Operation Mad DogOperation Mad Dog · 1963
Operation Mad Dog
7.01963
MovieDramaAction
Film number six in the Desperado Outpost serie directed by Jun Fukuda
The DaphneThe Daphne · 1966
The Daphne
10.01966
MovieDrama
Four sisters are all named after flowers. While the two youngest are married, the eldest two remain single, much to the annoyance of their long-suffering mother. The mother and her brother try various schemes to find husbands for them.
The Merciless TrapThe Merciless Trap · 1961
The Merciless Trap
8.01961
MovieThriller
Taut thriller about a too-perfect criminal case against an ex-convict that makes a nosy detective suspicious.
Blood on the SeaBlood on the Sea · 1961
Blood on the Sea
1961
MovieAdventure
Four fishermen friends are caught up in a piracy plot.
Port ArthurPort Arthur · 1980
Port Arthur
7.41980
MovieWarDrama
Depicts the bloody siege of the fortress of Port Arthur, one of the most strongly fortified positions in the world, during the Russo-Japanese War of (1904 - 1905). In the story dominated the character Lt Takeshi Kogyo (Teruhiko Aoi), teachers, and a reserve officer who became commander of the platoon and later company. At the same time monitors the conduct of the army commander general Nogi (Tatsuya Nakadai), which was commissioned of the emperor Matsuhito (Toshirô Mifune) to the conquest of the fort.
Shogun's NinjaShogun's Ninja · 1980
Shogun's Ninja
6.31980
MovieActionAdventure
In the middle of the 16th century, Hideyoshi, a power hungry warlord sets out to destroy the Momochi clan. He sends his war commander in search of the clan's hidden gold only to find that two daggers are the key to the hiding place of the treasured gold. Spanning decades, the quest for the missing daggers takes Shiranui through war and ancient tradition.
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His AllyZatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally · 1989
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally
6.41989
MovieActionDrama
Older, wiser but still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi seeks a peaceful life in a rural village. When he's caught in the middle of a power struggle between two rival Yakuza clans, his reputation as a deadly defender of the innocent is put to the ultimate test in a series of sword-slashing showdowns.
Three Dolls and Three GuysThree Dolls and Three Guys · 1960
Three Dolls and Three Guys
7.01960
MovieComedyCrime
Punch, Pinch, and Sench become involved in a murder mystery centering on a Chinese billionaire (Mihashi), actually a Japanese yakuza, who claims to be developing a tourist's paradise on the island of Oshima.
Typhoon ClubTyphoon Club · 1985
Typhoon Club
6.51985
MovieDrama
Offering a caustic immersion into the lives of disaffected junior high students on the cusp of adulthood, the film takes place over the 5-day period before, during, and after a ferocious, seemingly liberating typhoon, which six of the students endure while marooned in their school.
What's Up, Tiger Lily?What's Up, Tiger Lily? · 1966
What's Up, Tiger Lily?
5.41966
MovieActionComedy
In comic Woody Allen's film debut, he took the Japanese action film "International Secret Police: Key of Keys" and re-dubbed it, changing the plot to make it revolve around a secret egg salad recipe.
Sailor Suit and Machine GunSailor Suit and Machine Gun · 1981
Sailor Suit and Machine Gun
7.11981
MovieDramaAction
A high-school girl inherits a declining yakuza organization, which seeks to repair its fortunes under her leadership.
Amagi PassAmagi Pass · 1983
Amagi Pass
6.51983
MovieCrimeFantasy
Japan in the 1940s. A high school boy went into a magic encounter with Ozuka Hana, a geisha (pub-girl) when he traveled through Amagi Pass. A mysterious murder took place afterwards, an Ozuka was held responsible. 40 years later, the boy, who became a printing shop owner, was visited by a retired policeman who came from Amagi Pass. The truth then started to reveal itself.
We Will RememberWe Will Remember · 1965
We Will Remember
10.01965
MovieWarAction
Near the end of the war, a number of young Japanese join an army band hoping to avoid the front lines, but instead are sent to the Chinese Front.
The H-ManThe H-Man · 1958
The H-Man
5.81958
MovieScience FictionHorror
When a narcotics deal goes sour and a suspect disappears, leaving only his clothes, Tokyo police question his wife and stake out the nightclub where she works.

TV Shows

Kogarashi MonjiroKogarashi Monjiro · 1972
Kogarashi Monjiro
8.01972
SeriesDrama
Monjiro was born into a poor farm family in Mikazuki Village, Nitta County, Ueshu, and abandoned his hometown when he was 10 years old. He has been traveling aimlessly with a long toothpick in his mouth. Monjiro avoided getting involved in anything, but wherever he went, he ended up getting involved in incidents
The Water MarginThe Water Margin · 1973
The Water Margin
7.91973
SeriesDrama
The Water Margin is a Japanese television series based on Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The novel details the trials and tribulations of 108 outlaws during the Song Dynasty. This adaptation follows Lin Chung and his clashes with the local government official Kao Chiu. The Water Margin is famous for its, sometimes obscure, but memorable philosophical quotes, such as "Do not despise the snake for having no horns,for who is to say it will not become a dragon?""
Shinjuku SharkShinjuku Shark · 1995
Shinjuku Shark
1995
SeriesMysteryCrime
Hard-boiled suspense drama series about a detective feared as the "Shinjuku Shark" who bravely stands up to evil.