Buddha (1961) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

1961 · 157 mins · Japanese

Directed by

Kenji Misumi

Starring

Tamao Nakamura, Tanie Kitabayashi, Eijirô Tôno, Isuzu Yamada, Haruko Sugimura, Yumeji Tsukioka

The film follows Siddhartha, an Indian prince who abandons his life to seek enlightenment. Over six years of wandering he confronts erotic dancers, demons and a scheming cousin, rejecting a faith that allows human sacrifice. After attaining enlightenment he becomes the Buddha, saves a priest from an elephant, and spreads compassion worldwide.