Secret Agent 101 (1966)
A stylish 1966 Japan-Hong Kong crime thriller directed by Teruo Ishii, blending spy intrigue with cross-cultural action.
Secret Agent 101 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 神火101 殺しの用心棒
- Release Year: 1966
- Directed by: Teruo Ishii
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 24, 1966 (Japan)
- Production Companies: Shochiku
- Production Countries: Hong Kong, Japan
Secret Agent 101 - Plot
Japan-Hong Kong co-production.
Secret Agent 101 - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Secret Agent 101 and get a taste of its 1960s spy action.
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Secret Agent 101 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Teruo Ishii
Main Cast
- Muga Takewaki
- Jeanette Lin Tsui
- Jitsuko Yoshimura
- Teruo Yoshida
- Kanjūrō Arashi
- Hideo Takamatsu
- Bunta Sugawara
- Takashi Fujiki
- Ren Long
- Fumitake Ōmura
Writers
- Lou Sam-Bou
- Takeo Kunihiro
- Teruo Ishii
Secret Agent 101 - FAQs
What is Secret Agent 101 about?
Secret Agent 101 is a 1966 crime thriller born from a Japan-Hong Kong co-production. Directed by Teruo Ishii, the film blends espionage intrigue with action, following a secret agent navigating a dangerous underworld across two distinct cinematic cultures. It's a rare cross-border genre piece from the golden age of spy cinema.
Who directed Secret Agent 101?
Teruo Ishii directed Secret Agent 101. A prolific and inventive Japanese filmmaker, Ishii was known for pushing genre boundaries throughout the 1960s and beyond, working across crime, action, and exploitation cinema. His direction here reflects his flair for kinetic, stylized storytelling.
Who stars in Secret Agent 101?
The film features Muga Takewaki and Jeanette Lin Tsui in leading roles, supported by Jitsuko Yoshimura, Teruo Yoshida, and Kanjūrō Arashi. Notably, a young Bunta Sugawara also appears — years before he became one of Japan's most iconic screen presences in the Battles Without Honor series.
Is Secret Agent 101 a Japan-Hong Kong co-production?
Yes, Secret Agent 101 is one of the relatively rare Japan-Hong Kong co-productions of the 1960s. Produced by Shochiku, the film brings together talent from both industries, including Hong Kong actress Jeanette Lin Tsui, reflecting the era's growing cross-cultural exchange in Asian genre cinema.
When was Secret Agent 101 released?
Secret Agent 101 was released on December 24, 1966, in Japan. Its Christmas Eve premiere placed it squarely in the height of the global spy film craze, riding the wave of excitement sparked by the James Bond franchise earlier in the decade.
What is the runtime of Secret Agent 101?
Secret Agent 101 runs for 90 minutes — a tight, focused runtime that suits the genre well. At an hour and a half, it delivers its espionage thrills without overstaying its welcome, keeping the pacing brisk in the tradition of 1960s action and crime cinema.
What are some films similar to Secret Agent 101?
If Secret Agent 101 appeals to you, explore other crime and action titles like City Hunter: .357 Magnum, Vengeance Is Mine, The Protector, or Plunder Road. These films share a similar spirit of gritty, stylized crime storytelling that fans of classic genre cinema tend to enjoy.
Who was the cinematographer on Secret Agent 101?
Shizuo Hirase served as cinematographer on Secret Agent 101. His lens work helped shape the film's visual identity, capturing the sleek, shadowy aesthetic that defined spy and crime cinema of the 1960s — a period when cinematography was central to establishing genre atmosphere.
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