Sanshiro Sugata (1943)

6.5/10 • 97 min • Drama

Overview

A hotheaded youth in 1880s Meiji Japan apprentices to judo master Shōgorō Yano, trading brute jujutsu bravado for discipline and humility. As Sanshirō matures, he proves judo’s spirit against old-guard challengers—including a deadly duel—while falling for his vanquished opponent’s daughter. Based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita, son of Tomita Tsunejirō, the earliest disciple of judo.

Cast

Denjirō Ōkōchi

Shogoro Yano

Susumu Fujita

Sanshiro Sugata

Yukiko Todoroki

Sayo Murai

Ryūnosuke Tsukigata

Gennosuke Higaki

Takashi Shimura

Hansuke Murai, Sayo's father

Ranko Hanai

Osumi Kodana

Ichirō Sugai

Police Chief Mishima

Yoshio Kosugi

Master Saburo Kodama

Kokuten Kōdō

Buddhist Priest

Akitake Kōno

Yoshima Dan

Sōji Kiyokawa

Yujiro Toda

Ichirō Ryūzaki

Monma's pupil (uncredited)

Recommendations

Samurai Rebellion
Kamui
Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two
Samurai Marathon
Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno
11 Rebels
When the Last Sword Is Drawn
Taboo
Chûshingura
The Kirishima Thing
The Padre
The Tale of Zatoichi
Born a Champion
The Sword of Doom
Gigi & Nate
The Wings of the Kirin
Samurai Assassin
47 Ronin
After the Rain
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final