Drunken Sword (1962)
A classic Japanese chambara film featuring an eccentric swordsman-doctor who defies corrupt power with wit and steel.
Drunken Sword - Movie Information
- Original Title: 酔いどれ無双剣
- Release Year: 1962
- Directed by: Tadashi Sawashima
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 1, 1962 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Yoi-dore musoken (JP)
- Production Companies: Toei Company
- Production Countries: Japan
Drunken Sword - Plot
Tetsunosuke, an eccentric doctor and an owner of a fencing school, takes aim against corrupt authorities.
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Drunken Sword - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tadashi Sawashima
Main Cast
- Utaemon Ichikawa
- Kōtarō Satomi
- Yumeji Tsukioka
- Kikuko Hojo
- Minoru Chiaki
- Nijiko Kiyokawa
- Haruo Tanaka
- Kichiya Bando
- Yaeko Wakamizu
- Shigeru Yasunaka
Writers
- Tadashi Sawashima
Drunken Sword - FAQs
Where can you watch Drunken Sword online?
Streaming availability for Drunken Sword varies by region and platform. You can check the most current viewing options — including any subscription, rental, or purchase services — by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information for your location.
Who directed Drunken Sword (1962)?
Drunken Sword was directed by Tadashi Sawashima, a prolific Japanese filmmaker at Toei Company known for his work in the chambara (sword-fighting) genre. Sawashima also wrote the screenplay, giving him full creative control over the film's story and direction.
What is Drunken Sword about?
Drunken Sword follows Tetsunosuke, an unconventional doctor who also runs a fencing school. Beneath his eccentric exterior lies a formidable swordsman determined to stand up against corrupt officials and authorities, blending classic chambara action with a morally driven, underdog narrative.
Who are the main actors in Drunken Sword?
The film stars Utaemon Ichikawa in the lead role, supported by Kōtarō Satomi, Yumeji Tsukioka, Kikuko Hojo, Minoru Chiaki, Nijiko Kiyokawa, Haruo Tanaka, Kichiya Bando, Yaeko Wakamizu, and Shigeru Yasunaka — a strong ensemble cast typical of Toei's chambara productions.
When was Drunken Sword released?
Drunken Sword was released in Japan on September 1, 1962. It was produced by Toei Company, one of Japan's leading film studios, and is also known by its Japanese transliteration title Yoi-dore musoken.
Is Drunken Sword a samurai action film?
Yes, Drunken Sword belongs to the chambara tradition — Japan's classic sword-fighting film genre. Set in feudal Japan, it combines swordsmanship, social justice themes, and an unconventional hero in the mold of the beloved wandering or eccentric swordsman archetype that defined many Toei productions of the era.
How long is Drunken Sword?
Drunken Sword has a runtime of 92 minutes, making it a concisely paced chambara film. At just over an hour and a half, it delivers its story of an eccentric swordsman-doctor confronting corrupt authorities without overstaying its welcome.
Who composed the music for Drunken Sword?
The score for Drunken Sword was composed by Seiichi Suzuki. The film's cinematography was handled by Makoto Tsuboi, and editing was carried out by Shintarō Miyamoto — a skilled technical crew supporting Tadashi Sawashima's direction for Toei Company.
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