Song of a Traveller (1962)

A lean, atmospheric Japanese crime film from Nikkatsu Corporation, directed by Haruyasu Noguchi and starring the iconic Akira Kobayashi.

Song of a Traveller - Movie Information

  • Original Title: 借別の歌
  • Release Year: 1962
  • Directed by: Haruyasu Noguchi
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Crime
  • Runtime: 1h 21m
  • Original Language: Japanese
  • Spoken Languages: Japanese
  • Release Date (Theatrical): May 20, 1962 (Japan)
  • Production Companies: Nikkatsu Corporation
  • Production Countries: Japan

Song of a Traveller - Plot

A crime film released in 1962

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Song of a Traveller - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Haruyasu Noguchi

Main Cast

  • Akira Kobayashi
  • Reiko Sasamori
  • Mari Shiraki
  • Nobuo Kaneko
  • Midori Tashiro
  • Taiji Tonoyama
  • Daizaburo Hirata
  • Shōki Fukae
  • Yumi Takano
  • Kōjirō Kusanagi

Writers

  • Gan Yamazaki
  • Yoshio Yamano

Song of a Traveller - FAQs

What is Song of a Traveller about?

Song of a Traveller is a 1962 Japanese crime film from Nikkatsu Corporation. Directed by Haruyasu Noguchi, it follows the gritty underworld drama typical of the studio's signature action output of the era, with Akira Kobayashi leading the cast through a tense criminal narrative.

Who directed Song of a Traveller?

Haruyasu Noguchi directed Song of a Traveller. He was an active filmmaker at Nikkatsu Corporation during the early 1960s, contributing to the studio's prolific output of crime and action films that defined Japanese popular cinema of the period.

Who stars in Song of a Traveller?

Akira Kobayashi leads the cast alongside Reiko Sasamori, Mari Shiraki, and Nobuo Kaneko. Kobayashi was one of Nikkatsu's biggest stars in the early 1960s, known for his charismatic presence in crime and action films throughout the decade.

When was Song of a Traveller released in Japan?

Song of a Traveller opened in Japan on May 20, 1962. It was produced and distributed by Nikkatsu Corporation, Japan's oldest film studio, during a particularly fertile period for the company's crime and action genre output.

How long is Song of a Traveller?

Song of a Traveller runs 81 minutes — a tight, lean runtime that was characteristic of Nikkatsu's genre productions of the era. The studio favored compact, fast-moving films that kept audiences engaged from start to finish.

Who wrote the screenplay for Song of a Traveller?

The screenplay was written by Gan Yamazaki and Yoshio Yamano. Their collaboration brought the film's criminal world to life, crafting the story that director Haruyasu Noguchi and the Nikkatsu cast would translate to the screen in 1962.

What are some films similar to Song of a Traveller?

If Song of a Traveller appeals to you, check out Plunder Road (1957), The Damned Don't Cry (1950), and Belly (1998) for more crime-driven stories. Johnny Dangerously (1984) and Thick as Thieves (1999) are also worth exploring for fans of the genre.

Is Song of a Traveller part of Nikkatsu's crime output?

Yes — Song of a Traveller is a product of Nikkatsu Corporation's celebrated crime and action cycle of the early 1960s. Nikkatsu, Japan's oldest studio, was churning out stylish, fast-paced crime films during this period, many starring Akira Kobayashi as a defining face of the genre.

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