The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil (1966)
A stylish 1966 Japanese action film pitting Japan's legendary left-handed gambler against a shadowy organization bent on world domination through casino conquest.
The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil - Movie Information
- Original Title: 黒い賭博師 悪魔の左手
- Release Year: 1966
- Directed by: Kō Nakahira
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 27, 1966 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Kuroi tobakushi: Akuma no hidarite (JP)
- Production Companies: Nikkatsu Corporation
- Production Countries: Japan
The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil - Plot
The fictional land "Pandora" sends three (numbered) graduates of the "National Gambling University" to Japan. You should defeat the master player Kôji, control the international casino empire and use the profits to achieve world domination. But Japan's most famous left hand knows what to do.
The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the high-stakes action unfold:
The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kō Nakahira
Main Cast
- Akira Kobayashi
- Misa Hirose
- Judy Ongg
- Michino Yokoyama
- Yasushi Suzuki
- Akira Ōizumi
- Masahiko Tanimura
- Eiji Gō
- Hideaki Nitani
- Saburo Hiromatsu
Writers
- Ei Ogawa
- Tadaaki Yamazaki
The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil - FAQs
What is The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil about?
The film follows Japan's most celebrated left-handed gambler as he faces off against three elite agents dispatched from the fictional nation of Pandora. These operatives — graduates of a so-called National Gambling University — aim to seize control of an international casino empire and use its profits to achieve world domination.
Is The Black Gambler part of a film series?
Yes! The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil is part of Nikkatsu's popular Black Gambler (Kuroi Tobakushi) series starring Akira Kobayashi. The franchise ran through the mid-1960s and blended stylish action with gambling intrigue, making Kobayashi one of the studio's most bankable stars of the era.
Who directed The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil?
Kō Nakahira directed the film. A prolific figure in Japanese genre cinema, Nakahira was known for his sharp, energetic style and worked extensively within Nikkatsu's action output during the 1960s, contributing to several entries in the studio's popular action and crime series.
Who stars in The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil?
Akira Kobayashi leads the cast as the legendary left-handed gambler Kôji. He's joined by Misa Hirose, Judy Ongg, Michino Yokoyama, Yasushi Suzuki, Eiji Gō, and Hideaki Nitani, among others — a strong ensemble typical of Nikkatsu's polished 1960s action productions.
What makes the villain's plot in this film so outlandish?
The premise leans gleefully into spy-thriller excess: a fictional country called Pandora operates an actual National Gambling University, training agents specifically to infiltrate and dominate international casinos — all as a stepping stone to world domination. It's the kind of gloriously over-the-top Cold War-era plotting that gives the film its distinctive charm.
When was The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil released?
The film opened in Japan on January 27, 1966. It was produced and distributed by Nikkatsu Corporation, Japan's oldest film studio, during a particularly fertile period for the company's action and crime genre output.
How long is The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil?
The film runs 94 minutes — a tight, well-paced runtime that keeps the action moving without overstaying its welcome. It's a brisk watch that delivers its mix of gambling showdowns and spy-tinged intrigue at a satisfying clip.
Is The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil worth watching today?
For fans of 1960s Japanese genre cinema, absolutely. The film showcases Nikkatsu's slick production style and Akira Kobayashi's effortless cool, wrapped in a wildly entertaining Cold War spy-gambling premise. It's a fun, stylish time capsule that holds up well as a piece of classic Japanese action entertainment.
More About The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil
Explore more details about this film on the following resources: