The King

The King

The life story of the shogi master & maniac Sankichi Sakata in the Meiji era.

1962 · 92 min · ★ 8.0 · Drama

The film takes place at the junction of the two eras of Meiji and Taisho. Sakata Sankichi, an uneducated zori sandal maker, becomes a professional shogi player through his genius shogi skills and lives a fanatically devoted shogi game supported by the love of his family. This is the 3rd adaptation of Hideji Hojo's famous play.

Directed by Daisuke Itō · Written by Daisuke Itō

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Google Play Movies

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 5m together

Both from Daisuke Itō.

More from Daisuke ItōSee all →

元祿美少年記元祿美少年記 · 1955
元祿美少年記
★ 10.01955
Movie
On February 4th of the 16th year of the Genroku era, Yatō Uemon no Shichi reminisces while waiting his turn for seppuku at the Mizuno residence. When news of his lord, Asano Naganori, attacking Kira Yoshinaka in the palace reached Akō, Uemon no Shichi was sixteen. The family elder, Ōishi Kuranosuke, determined to avenge, gathered allies, but Uemon no Shichi's father, Chōsuke, being sickly and considered too young, was not included. Chōsuke committed suicide.
The Woman and the PirateThe Woman and the Pirate · 1959
The Woman and the Pirate
★ 9.01959
Movie
In the early Edo period, among the pirate ships that roamed the seas near Ryukyu and Korea, there was a ship called the Sueyoshi, led by a man known as Misaki Shogoro, who was infamous for his devilish cruelty. Shogoro had a rule: he would kill all the men from the ships he raided, while the women would be distributed among the crew for their pleasure. However, he himself never touched any woman. Aboard the ship was a young girl named Kogane, who had been raised on the ship since she was a child and dressed as a boy. Unbeknownst to others, she had grown to secretly adore Shogoro.
Les Miserables I: God and the DevilLes Miserables I: God and the Devil · 1950
Les Miserables I: God and the Devil
★ 9.01950
MovieDramaHistory
Blooms of HellBlooms of Hell · 1957
Blooms of Hell
★ 9.01957
MovieDrama
Period drama based on the novel by Saisei Murō.
The Grand MasterThe Grand Master · 1948
The Grand Master
★ 9.01948
MovieDrama
Shogi, a Japanese form of chess, is a game that requires skill and determination. When poor sandal-maker Sakata decides to pursue his dream of becoming the Shogi Grand Master Champion, everything is at stake – including his family. What will it cost for Sakata to follow his passion?
Tragedy of the Coolie SamuraiTragedy of the Coolie Samurai · 1963
Tragedy of the Coolie Samurai
★ 8.71963
MovieDrama
Gonza was a handsome young laborer, a footman and spear-carrier, working hard for his meager wage. All Gonza wanted was to marry his young sweetheart, but despite their mutual poverty, her status as the daughter of a samurai blocked their path to happiness. A chance opportunity to achieve samurai status would come one day, but Gonza will regret trusting the so-called honorable samurai who extended this fateful offer, and the terrible price he'd pay, fighting for his life in one of the most blood-spattered samurai battles ever filmed.
Lord Tokugawa IeyasuLord Tokugawa Ieyasu · 1965
Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu
★ 8.41965
MovieDrama
In turbulent 16th-century Japan, the leaders of a minor fief have their child taken from them as a political hostage. His mother and his clan endure years of tribulations until he can return.
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3 · 1962
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
★ 8.21962
MovieActionDrama
In the third, and final chapter of this epic tale, handsome swordsman Genji helps a vulnerable princess who is in search of a missing scroll that belongs to the Shogun. This is one of the most highly regarded trilogies featuring a youthful Nakamura Kinnosuke in one of his best roles. This was Kinnosuke at the height of his career, with charm, honor and a vicious sword. If you enjoyed the first two films in the series, you can't miss the exciting conclusion. Even without know-ledge of the first two films, this movie stands on its own with great action throughout!
The Inner Palace ConspiracyThe Inner Palace Conspiracy · 1951
The Inner Palace Conspiracy
★ 8.01951
MovieAdventureHistory
A period mystery in which an unconventional priest exposes the truth behind the bizarre death of a maid in the shogun's harem. Kinuyo Tanaka stylishly plays a constantly intoxicated geisha in this all-star entertainment film.
Samurai VendettaSamurai Vendetta · 1959
Samurai Vendetta
★ 7.51959
MovieDramaAction
Two amiable samurai wind up on opposite sides of the vendetta between Lord Asano's retainers and the family of Lord Kira that led to the famous revenge of the 47 Ronin.
The AmbitiousThe Ambitious · 1970
The Ambitious
★ 7.31970
MovieActionAdventure
The story of Ryoma Sakamoto, considered to be the architect behind the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate. He was considered an outlaw by his own clan, hunted by his government, and was despised by supporters of the Shogun as well as the Loyalists for desiring the opening of Japan to the West in order to learn its technology, in the hopes of one day defeating the West with a modern army and navy.
The Motherland Far Far AwayThe Motherland Far Far Away · 1950
The Motherland Far Far Away
★ 7.01950
MovieDrama
Itohan MonogatariItohan Monogatari · 1957
Itohan Monogatari
★ 7.01957
MovieDrama
Based on the original work by Shuji Hojo, Itohan Monogatari depicts the fate of a clumsy and kind-hearted woman in the Taisho era.
Zatoichi and the Chess ExpertZatoichi and the Chess Expert · 1965
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
★ 6.71965
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi makes friends with a dangerous chess player, while fending off angry yakuza and bloodthirsty relatives out for revenge, and trying to save a sick child. Meanwhile, his luck with dice is turning.
The ConspiratorThe Conspirator · 1961
The Conspirator
★ 6.71961
MovieDramaHistory
Young lord Saburo Nobuyasu struggles to find comfort in life. His arranged marriage to Tokuhime, daughter of one-time family enemy Oda Nobunaga, provides little happiness. His manipulative mother adds further complications through her constant interference and attempts at defeating the Nobunaga family.
An Actor's RevengeAn Actor's Revenge · 1963
An Actor's Revenge
★ 6.61963
MovieDrama
In Edo Japan, a kabuki actor seeks revenge against the three men who drove his parents to their deaths years ago.

More Like This

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter