Eiichi Kudō

Directing

Eiichi Kudō

Born July 17, 1929 · Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan

Died September 23, 2000 · aged 71

Eiichi Kudo (工藤 栄一, Kudō Eiichi, 17 July 1929 – 23 September 2000) was a Japanese film director. He directed 30 films between 1956 and 1998. His 1982 film Yaju-deka was entered into the 33rd Berlin International Film Festival. One of his most famous movies is the 1963 film 13 Assassins. This movie was remade in 2010 by Takashi Miike.

Known For

13 Assassins13 Assassins · 1963
13 Assassins
★ 7.51963
MovieAdventureDrama
A sadistic Daimyo (feudal lord) rapes a woman and murders both her and her husband, but even when one of his own vassals commits suicide to bring attention to the crime, the matter is quickly hushed up. Not only will there be no punishment, but because the Daimyo is the Shogun's younger brother, he will soon be appointed to a high political position from which he could wreak even more havoc. Convinced that the fate of the Shogunate hangs in the balance, a plot is hatched to assassinate the Daimyo. The two most brilliant strategic minds of their generation find themselves pitted against each other; one is tasked to defend a man he despises, and has a small army at his disposal. The other is given a suicide mission, and has 12 brave men. They are the 13 Assassins.
The Great KillingThe Great Killing · 1964
The Great Killing
★ 7.31964
MovieActionDrama
A cynical samurai is left as the sole survivor to fulfill a plot to assassinate the puppet of a villain intent on usurping the shogunate in the 17th century. A Shogunate Elder connives to rule Japan by making his puppet, the Shogun's brother Tsunashige, the next Shogun. The best strategist in Japan, Yamaga, leads a plot to stop the Elder, but his cabal is betrayed and most of the conspirators are captured and tortured.
Eleven SamuraiEleven Samurai · 1967
Eleven Samurai
★ 7.51967
MovieActionAdventure
The lord of the Oshi fief is killed by his trespassing neighbour, the cruel and despotic Nariatsu, son of the former Shogun. After an investigation, the Oshi clan is blamed for what happened and sentenced to be disbanded. Eleven of the best samurai of the clan refuse the sentence and are willing to give their life for justice.
Yokohama BJ BluesYokohama BJ Blues · 1981
Yokohama BJ Blues
★ 7.81981
MovieCrimeMystery
BJ is a relatively unknown blues singer who scraps some bars in Yokohama. He does not earn much with it and to make ends meet he also acts as a private detective.
The Fort of DeathThe Fort of Death · 1969
The Fort of Death
★ 6.51969
MovieAction
The second Bounty Hunter film, when master killer Shikoro Ichibei takes up the cause of a group of farmers being driven to despair by the vile Lord Ozeki. The villainous lord has driven them to mounting their last stand at a deserted fort against an army of attackers. Wakayama Tomisaburo is superb as an expert in killing and military tactics, who leaves his medical practice at a clinic for the poor in order to counter the vicious tactics of that vile lord.
Dangerous Trade in KobeDangerous Trade in Kobe · 1973
Dangerous Trade in Kobe
★ 7.01973
MovieDramaCrime
Using a lesser mobster as bait a government agent infiltrates a narcotics-smuggling gang to try to capture the boss. But his survival has a price.
Castle of OwlsCastle of Owls · 1963
Castle of Owls
★ 6.11963
MovieActionDrama
Movie adaptation of the 1959 ninja novel. With war against Korea looming on the horizon, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the 'Taiko' becomes the target of an assassination attempt to be carried out by the Iga Clan of ninja spies. Master spy Juzo Tsuzura (Ryutaro Otomo) is assigned the task, but first he must defeat a former Iga spy who has become a traitor, and outwit the treacherous woman that is trying to seduce him.
The CatchThe Catch · 1983
The Catch
★ 6.71983
MovieDrama
A young man tries to overcome the hostility of his girlfriend's father, a tuna fisherman, by getting the father to teach him the trade's secrets.

Filmography

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13 Assassins13 Assassins · 1963
13 Assassins
★ 7.51963
MovieAdventureDrama
A sadistic Daimyo (feudal lord) rapes a woman and murders both her and her husband, but even when one of his own vassals commits suicide to bring attention to the crime, the matter is quickly hushed up. Not only will there be no punishment, but because the Daimyo is the Shogun's younger brother, he will soon be appointed to a high political position from which he could wreak even more havoc. Convinced that the fate of the Shogunate hangs in the balance, a plot is hatched to assassinate the Daimyo. The two most brilliant strategic minds of their generation find themselves pitted against each other; one is tasked to defend a man he despises, and has a small army at his disposal. The other is given a suicide mission, and has 12 brave men. They are the 13 Assassins.

Director