The Orphan Brother (1961): cast, story & where to watch
1961 · Film · ★ 6.6
Released in 1961, The Orphan Brother is a fantasy, adventure, family and animation film directed by Yugo Serikawa, running about 83 minutes.
What it’s about. After their father quarrels with local military men, Anju and Zushio are forced to flee, but they are captured and sold into slavery. When their mother dies, they are sold to Sansho the Bailiff, a cruel man who subjects them to hideous torments. While Anju falls into a lake and is transformed into a swan, Zushio escapes and after being adopted to a nobleman grows to a young man. He will then fight to defeat the evil Dayu and free all the slaves.
Who’s in it. The Orphan Brother stars Yoshiko Sakuma as Anju (voice), Isuzu Yamada as Yashio (voice), Harue Tone as Kikuno (voice) and Kinya Kitaoji, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, The Orphan Brother has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Orphan Brother page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Orphan Brother tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Orphan Brother (1961)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Orphan Brother change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Orphan Brother worth watching?
- The Orphan Brother holds an audience score of 6.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy, adventure, family and animation. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Orphan Brother?
- The Orphan Brother stars Yoshiko Sakuma, Isuzu Yamada, Harue Tone, Kinya Kitaoji and Jo Mizuki.
- When was The Orphan Brother released?
- The Orphan Brother was released in 1961, with a runtime of about 83 minutes.