Blood Spilled at Takadanobaba (1937) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

1937 · 57 mins · Japanese

Loading streaming availability…

Directed by

Hiroshi Inagaki, Masahiro Makino

Starring

Takashi Shimura, Ryōsuke Kagawa, Kajō Onoe, Sannosuke Fujikawa, Kazushi Seto, Tsuyoshi Shimoyama

The film dramatizes the famed duel of Nakayama Yasubei—who likely never slew 18 foes—and his later role as Horibe Yasubei among the 47 Ronin. Makino and Inagaki stress excitement and comedy, featuring Bando’s charismatic performance, inventive 1930s camera pans and a rhythm‑driven sword fight hailed as one of Japan’s best. Originally released as Chikemuri Takadanoba (57 min), it was trimmed and retitled in 1952.