Freelance Samurai (1957)
A classic Japanese chambara adventure rooted in beloved folklore, bringing the legendary Peach Boy hero to life through thrilling samurai action.
Freelance Samurai - Movie Information
- Original Title: 桃太郎侍
- Release Year: 1957
- Directed by: Kenji Misumi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 15, 1957 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: The Demon Crusader (US), Momotaro Samurai (JP)
- Production Companies: Daiei Film
- Production Countries: Japan
Freelance Samurai - Plot
One of Japanese folklore's most popular characters is brought to life on the silver screen in this terrific version of legendary Demon slaying Peach Boy.
Freelance Samurai - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kenji Misumi
Main Cast
- Raizō Ichikawa
- Yōko Uraji
- Seizaburō Kawazu
- Michiyo Kogure
- Shunji Sakai
- Toshio Hosokawa
- Masamiku Sugiyama
- Kenjiro Uemura
- Yōko Wakasugi
- Shōsaku Sugiyama
Writers
- Fuji Yahiro
Freelance Samurai - FAQs
Is Freelance Samurai based on a true story?
No, Freelance Samurai is not based on a true story. It draws from Momotaro, one of Japan's most beloved folk tales, in which a boy born from a giant peach grows up to battle demons. The 1957 Daiei Film adaptation reimagines this legendary hero in a samurai adventure setting.
Who plays Momotaro in Freelance Samurai?
Raizō Ichikawa plays the dual role of Momotaro and Shinnosuke Wakagi in Freelance Samurai. Ichikawa was one of Daiei Film's biggest stars in the late 1950s and 1960s, celebrated for his charismatic screen presence and skilled portrayal of samurai and period drama heroes.
What is Freelance Samurai about?
Freelance Samurai is a 1957 Japanese action film that brings the legendary folk hero Momotaro — the Peach Boy — to life as a demon-slaying samurai. Directed by Kenji Misumi, the film blends traditional folklore with classic chambara sword-fighting action, delivering an entertaining period adventure rooted in Japanese mythology.
Who directed Freelance Samurai?
Freelance Samurai was directed by Kenji Misumi, a highly regarded Japanese filmmaker known for his mastery of the chambara genre. Misumi later became famous for directing multiple entries in the Zatoichi and Lone Wolf and Cub series, cementing his legacy as one of Japan's foremost samurai film directors.
When was Freelance Samurai released?
Freelance Samurai was released on December 15, 1957, in Japan. The film was produced by Daiei Film, one of Japan's most prominent studios of the era, and was part of a wave of popular period action films that defined Japanese cinema during the late 1950s.
What genre is Freelance Samurai?
Freelance Samurai is an Action film, specifically belonging to the Japanese chambara (sword-fighting) genre. It combines folklore-inspired storytelling with the dynamic swordplay and heroic adventure that characterized many popular Japanese period films produced by Daiei Film during the 1950s.
How long is Freelance Samurai?
Freelance Samurai has a runtime of 87 minutes, or approximately 1 hour and 27 minutes. This compact running time is typical of many Japanese genre films from the 1950s, delivering a focused and briskly paced action narrative without unnecessary padding.
What language is Freelance Samurai in?
Freelance Samurai is in Japanese. It is an original Japanese-language production made by Daiei Film and set within the world of Japanese folklore and samurai culture. The film was originally released in Japan in 1957 and is known internationally under the alternative title The Demon Crusader.
More About Freelance Samurai
Explore further details about this 1957 Japanese classic through these authoritative sources.