An Osaka Story (1957)
A Japanese comedy-drama tracing one man's relentless climb from poverty to merchant power — and the price ambition demands.
An Osaka Story - Movie Information
- Original Title: 大阪物語
- Release Year: 1957
- Directed by: Kōzaburō Yoshimura
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 6, 1957 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Осакская история (RU), Une histoire d'Osaka (FR), Ôsaka monogatari (JP)
- Production Companies: Daiei Film
- Production Countries: Japan
An Osaka Story - Plot
A poor peasant, after years of scraping, becomes a rich and powerful Osaka merchant. Mizoguchi Kenji's final project; he died before completing it and directing duties turned over to Yoshimura Kozaburo.
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An Osaka Story - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kōzaburō Yoshimura
Main Cast
- Raizō Ichikawa
- Shintarō Katsu
- Kyōko Kagawa
- Chieko Naniwa
- Eijirō Tōno
- Michiko Ono
- Tamao Nakamura
- Naritoshi Hayashi
- Aiko Mimasu
- Isao Yamagata
Writers
- Kenji Mizoguchi
- Yoshikata Yoda
Producers
- Masaichi Nagata
An Osaka Story - FAQs
What is An Osaka Story about?
An Osaka Story follows a humble peasant who, through years of relentless toil and ambition, transforms himself into a wealthy and influential merchant in Osaka. The film explores themes of greed and social climbing in feudal Japan, blending comedy and drama in a portrait of human aspiration and its costs.
Who directed An Osaka Story?
An Osaka Story was directed by Kōzaburō Yoshimura. The film began as Kenji Mizoguchi's final project, but Mizoguchi passed away before completing it, and Yoshimura stepped in to take over directing duties and bring the film to completion.
Why did Kenji Mizoguchi not finish An Osaka Story?
Kenji Mizoguchi died in 1956 before he could complete An Osaka Story, which was intended to be his final film. Directing responsibilities were handed to Kōzaburō Yoshimura, who finished the project. Mizoguchi had co-written the screenplay alongside his longtime collaborator Yoshikata Yoda.
Who are the main actors in An Osaka Story?
The film features a strong ensemble cast including Raizō Ichikawa as Keizaburo, Shintarō Katsu as Ichinosuke, and Kyōko Kagawa as Onatsu. They are joined by Chieko Naniwa, Eijirō Tōno, Michiko Ono, Tamao Nakamura, Naritoshi Hayashi, Aiko Mimasu, and Isao Yamagata.
When was An Osaka Story released?
An Osaka Story was released in Japan on March 6, 1957. The film was produced by Daiei Film and stands as a notable work of late 1950s Japanese cinema, carrying the legacy of Kenji Mizoguchi's storytelling vision.
Is An Osaka Story based on a true story?
An Osaka Story is not based on a specific true story, but it draws on the rich merchant culture of historical Osaka. The screenplay by Kenji Mizoguchi and Yoshikata Yoda reflects the social realities of feudal Japanese commerce, grounding its fictional narrative in authentic cultural and economic traditions of the era.
What are films similar to An Osaka Story?
If you enjoy An Osaka Story, you might also appreciate Ugetsu (1953), another landmark of Japanese cinema exploring ambition and its consequences, as well as Ran (1985) and Greed (1924). These films share thematic threads around wealth, desire, and the human cost of relentless ambition.
Who composed the music for An Osaka Story?
The score for An Osaka Story was composed by Akira Ifukube, one of Japan's most celebrated film composers. Best known internationally for his iconic Godzilla themes, Ifukube brought his distinctive orchestral voice to this period drama, enriching the film's emotional and cultural atmosphere.
More About An Osaka Story
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