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.
Directed by Masahiro Makino · Written by Kinya Naoi
Where to Watch
Streaming
Cast
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Chiezo Kataoka Genji The Fighting Top -
Sonny Chiba Sataro -
Takashi Shimura Tobei -
Sumiko Fuji Ochiyo -
Yachiyo Ōtori Oshino -
Kensaku Hara Matsugoro of Kuroiwa -
Michitarō Mizushima Koto Juheita -
Jotaro Togami Sagara Denjuro -
Hiroshi Kato The Dragon of the Bush-Dead -
Shunji Sakai Mameroku -
Haruo Tanaka Daihachi - Shigeru Yasunaka Kenta
Make it a double feature
2h 57m together
Gambler Tales of Hasshu: A Man's Pledge
The Domain: Severed Relations
Both from Masahiro Makino.
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The Kingdom of Jirocho 4 · 1965
Last of the Wild Ones · 1954
Woman Boss · 1970
The Kingdom of Jirocho 2 · 1963
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry · 1965
Blood Spilled at Takadanobaba · 1937
Rogue · 1968
Yakuza of Ina · 1960
Les Miserables II: Banner of Love and Freedom · 1950
The Kanto Scarlet Cherry Gang · 1972
New Prison Walls of Abashiri · 1968







