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

Account of the Ando Gang: Tale of a ScarfaceAccount of the Ando Gang: Tale of a Scarface · 1997
Account of the Ando Gang: Tale of a Scarface
6.51997
MovieDramaAction
“Gunro no keifu” is known as “Tale of a Scarface.” It follows the life of Kumoro, a yakuza member, who recently is released from prison after serving 14 years for his Family. Upon his return he finds the various yakuza syndicates on the brink of war. Kumoro is, at first, removed from the dealings of the families by his Boss, but slowly he is drawn back into his old ways.
Ring! Ring! Ring! The Champion Belt of TearsRing! Ring! Ring! The Champion Belt of Tears · 1993
Ring! Ring! Ring! The Champion Belt of Tears
1993
Movie
Sky Scraper!Sky Scraper! · 1969
Sky Scraper!
7.01969
MovieDrama
A film about the construction of the Kasumigaseki Building, the first high-rise building in Japan.
The Princess and the Bearded LordThe Princess and the Bearded Lord · 1962
The Princess and the Bearded Lord
1962
Movie
Flowers on the RoadFlowers on the Road · 1961
Flowers on the Road
5.01961
MovieComedy
Yae and Kiku, daughters of drapers in Edo, must travel to Kyoto in place of their sickly fathers to attend to some businesses affairs. On their way to Kyoto, the two ladies are ambushed by a group of bandits. However a good Samaritan named Santaro comes to their rescue. Santaro is aiding a young samurai named Sanshiro who is on an official mission to deliver a message to a noble in Kyoto. When Yae and Kiku discover that a gang of assassins is after Sanshiro, they decide to help Sanshiro to complete his mission.
Shimmering SwordShimmering Sword · 1962
Shimmering Sword
1962
Movie
Nogare no machiNogare no machi · 1983
Nogare no machi
7.01983
MovieCrime
Based on the novel of the same name by Kenzo Kitakata.
A History of the Japanese UnderworldA History of the Japanese Underworld · 1968
A History of the Japanese Underworld
9.01968
MovieThrillerCrime
The hero tries to unite various gangs.

Movies

Account of the Ando Gang: Tale of a ScarfaceAccount of the Ando Gang: Tale of a Scarface · 1997
Account of the Ando Gang: Tale of a Scarface
6.51997
MovieDramaAction
“Gunro no keifu” is known as “Tale of a Scarface.” It follows the life of Kumoro, a yakuza member, who recently is released from prison after serving 14 years for his Family. Upon his return he finds the various yakuza syndicates on the brink of war. Kumoro is, at first, removed from the dealings of the families by his Boss, but slowly he is drawn back into his old ways.
Ring! Ring! Ring! The Champion Belt of TearsRing! Ring! Ring! The Champion Belt of Tears · 1993
Ring! Ring! Ring! The Champion Belt of Tears
1993
Movie
Sky Scraper!Sky Scraper! · 1969
Sky Scraper!
7.01969
MovieDrama
A film about the construction of the Kasumigaseki Building, the first high-rise building in Japan.
The Princess and the Bearded LordThe Princess and the Bearded Lord · 1962
The Princess and the Bearded Lord
1962
Movie
Flowers on the RoadFlowers on the Road · 1961
Flowers on the Road
5.01961
MovieComedy
Yae and Kiku, daughters of drapers in Edo, must travel to Kyoto in place of their sickly fathers to attend to some businesses affairs. On their way to Kyoto, the two ladies are ambushed by a group of bandits. However a good Samaritan named Santaro comes to their rescue. Santaro is aiding a young samurai named Sanshiro who is on an official mission to deliver a message to a noble in Kyoto. When Yae and Kiku discover that a gang of assassins is after Sanshiro, they decide to help Sanshiro to complete his mission.
Shimmering SwordShimmering Sword · 1962
Shimmering Sword
1962
Movie
Nogare no machiNogare no machi · 1983
Nogare no machi
7.01983
MovieCrime
Based on the novel of the same name by Kenzo Kitakata.
A History of the Japanese UnderworldA History of the Japanese Underworld · 1968
A History of the Japanese Underworld
9.01968
MovieThrillerCrime
The hero tries to unite various gangs.
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Raid on the RoadBloody Account of Jirocho: Raid on the Road · 1960
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Raid on the Road
7.01960
MovieAction
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.
Travels of GonkuroTravels of Gonkuro · 1961
Travels of Gonkuro
5.01961
Movie
Sugimoto Gonkuro is travelling along from Tosa to Edo. On his journey he will meet both good and bad people.
Chivalrous NatureChivalrous Nature · 1965
Chivalrous Nature
1965
Movie
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at AkibaBloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Akiba · 1960
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Akiba
10.01960
MovieAction
Early film by Eiichi Kudô.
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Raid on the Holy MountainBloody Account of Jirocho: Raid on the Holy Mountain · 1960
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Raid on the Holy Mountain
10.01960
MovieAction
Chronicle of the Town MagistrateChronicle of the Town Magistrate · 1992
Chronicle of the Town Magistrate
1992
MovieDrama
In a maelstrom of evil, can a new magistrate, samurai Mochizuki Koheita, with a reputation like an alley cat, bring order to the town of Horisoto, or is he, too a corrupt villain looking to gain wealth from the oppressed people? From the pen of famed samurai author Yamamoto Shugoro, this exciting tale turns the tables on the standard samurai story with a unique lead character previously portrayed in Ichikawa Kon’s “Dora Heita.”
Convicted WomanConvicted Woman · 1966
Convicted Woman
1966
MovieDrama
Set in the decadent mid-Edo period, this unconventional work depicts the story of a man who, after being pursued as one half of a double suicide, enters the Buddhist priesthood, breaks his vows, and emerges as a notorious villainous monk.
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Fujimi PassBloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Fujimi Pass · 1960
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Fujimi Pass
8.01960
MovieAction
Bloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Fujimi Pass
Young Master Yakuza: Edoite GoblinYoung Master Yakuza: Edoite Goblin · 1963
Young Master Yakuza: Edoite Goblin
1963
Movie
Samurai KnightsSamurai Knights · 1961
Samurai Knights
8.01961
Movie
Revenge for His LoverRevenge for His Lover · 1962
Revenge for His Lover
8.01962
Movie
Kamio a mistreated samurai clerk of Edo Castle and ronin (“Sir Quarrel”) Ibara, take up a vendetta against 17 wicked castle men.
Secrets of FujiSecrets of Fuji · 1959
Secrets of Fuji
7.01959
MovieDrama
Early film directed by Eiichi Kudô.
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.
Secrets of Fuji 2Secrets of Fuji 2 · 1959
Secrets of Fuji 2
1959
Movie
Early film directed by Eiichi Kudô.
Lair of the SnakegodLair of the Snakegod · 1960
Lair of the Snakegod
8.01960
MovieMystery

TV Shows

Hissatsu ShigotoninHissatsu Shigotonin · 1979
Hissatsu Shigotonin
10.01979
SeriesDrama
Nakamura Mondo was relegated to a post in Hachioji from the Minamimachi Bugyōsho and he has retired from professional assassin. But one day he was ordered to return to the Minamimachi Bugyōsho. Shikazō worked behind the scenes to get Mondo back to the Minamimachi Bugyōsho. Shikazō asks Nakamura Mondo to kill a man, once Mondo refuses but he is blinded by big money and eventually take the offer. Mondo restarts killing villains again with Kazarishokunin no Hide and Nawate Samon.
Shadow WarriorsShadow Warriors · 1980
Shadow Warriors
8.01980
SeriesDrama
Shadow Warriors is a Japanese television jidaigeki show featuring Sonny Chiba that ran for four seasons in the early 1980s. Chiba played different ninja characters in each series. In the first series he played Hattori Hanzō III, in second one he played Tsuge Shinpachi, in the third one he played Tarao Hanzō, in the fourth series and in Bakumatsu Hen, he played Hattori Hanzō XV. In the 2003 direct-to-DVD series Shin Kage no Gundan he played Hattori Hanzō I.
Yokomizo Seishi SeriesYokomizo Seishi Series · 1977
Yokomizo Seishi Series
7.01977
SeriesMysteryCrime
TV series starring Ikko Furuya, based on the Kosuke Kindaichi mystery novel series by Seishi Yokomizo.
Gokenin ZankuroGokenin Zankuro · 1995
Gokenin Zankuro
8.01995
SeriesDrama
Zankuro Matsudaira (Ken Watanabe) is a low-grade vassal of the Tokugawa Shogun, forced to moonlight as a bodyguard and executioner to make ends meet. He also has a drinking problem, an overeating mother, and a propensity to protect the oppressed, all of which eat into his finances. His confident mother Masajo (Kyoko Kishida) is the descendant of a famous family of shogunate retainers and a mistress of the pen and sword, who regards her son as a failure.
Wounded AngelsWounded Angels · 1974
Wounded Angels
10.01974
SeriesCrime
Two lovable idiot "private detectives" (or at least, that's their cover story —more like gangsters) try to make ends meet on the mean streets of Tokyo.
Unified ShadowsUnified Shadows · 1975
Unified Shadows
1975
SeriesDrama
During the Tenpo period, the three samurai under the command of the Nanba magistrate were responsible for handling exceptional cases. However, their true identities as shadow assassins were hidden because they were secretly sent to eliminate villains who had escaped punishment by the law.
Priest of DarknessPriest of Darkness · 1975
Priest of Darkness
1975
SeriesDrama
Kōchiyama Sōshun serves as a cha-bōzu (He is kind of tea man) in the administrative headquarters of the Tokugawa shogunate but he works behind the scene to protect powerless people from evil power of Tokugawa shogunate. Kataoka Naojirō and Ushimatsu work for Kōchiyama. Kaneko Ichinojō is a ronin whose interests often align with Kōchiyama
Please Hire Me!Please Hire Me! · 1976
Please Hire Me!
7.01976
SeriesDrama
Ex-sword teacher Ihei Misawa is a skilled swordsman but because of his kind and judicious heart, he never fails to get caught up in trouble and therefore is unable to obtain status and success. But his wife Tayo understands him and loves him completely, always remaining by his side.
Kumokiri NizaemonKumokiri Nizaemon · 1995
Kumokiri Nizaemon
1995
SeriesCrimeDrama
A Japanese television jidaigeki that was broadcast in prime-time in 1995 on Fuji TV. It is based on Shōtarō Ikenami's novel of the same title and stars Tsutomu Yamazaki. In the Kyōhō period, there was a group of bandits called Kumokiri from the people of Edo. Tokugawa shogunate appoints Abe Shikibu a head post of the Hitsuke Tōzoku Aratamegata to arrest Kumokiri clan.
Shadow Warrior Tokugawa IeyasuShadow Warrior Tokugawa Ieyasu · 1998
Shadow Warrior Tokugawa Ieyasu
1998
SeriesDrama
The drama, based on a novel by Keiichiro Ryu, tells an alternative history in which the historical shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu is killed at the Battle of Sekigahara and his double Jirosaburo Serada becomes the ruler of the country instead.
I Can Hear the Sound of FestivalI Can Hear the Sound of Festival · 1977
I Can Hear the Sound of Festival
1977
SeriesDrama
Injured race track cyclist takes a break at the hot springs with his mentor. During his recovery, he falls for the beautiful lady working at the inn.