異聞猿飛佐助 (1965): Besetzung, Handlung & Streaming

Released in 1965, 異聞猿飛佐助 is an action and drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda, running about 100 minutes.

What it’s about. Years of warfare end in a Japan unified under the Tokugawa shogunate, and samurai spy Sasuke Sarutobi, tired of conflict, longs for peace. When a high-ranking spy named Tatewaki Koriyama defects from the shogun to a rival clan, however, the world of swordsmen is thrown into turmoil. After Sasuke is unwittingly drawn into the conflict, he tracks Tatewaki, while a mysterious, white-hooded figure seems to hunt them both. By tale’s end, no one is who they seemed to be, and the truth is far more personal than anyone suspected. Director Masahiro Shinoda’s Samurai Spy, filled with clan intrigue, ninja spies, and multiple double crosses, marks a bold stylistic departure from swordplay film convention.

Who’s in it. 異聞猿飛佐助 stars Kōji Takahashi as Sarutobi Sasuke, Shintarō Ishihara as Saizo Kirigakure, Eitarō Ozawa as Shigeyuki Koremura and Kei Satō as Takanosuke Nojiri, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, 異聞猿飛佐助 has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In USA you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch 異聞猿飛佐助 page.

If you liked it. Fans of 異聞猿飛佐助 tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Der Herr der Ringe - Die Rückkehr des Königs, Inception and Der Herr der Ringe - Die Gefährten.