Sanshiro Sugata (1943): cast, story & where to watch
1943 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1943, Sanshiro Sugata is a drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa, running about 80 minutes.
What it’s about. The story of Sanshiro, a strong stubborn youth, who travels into the city in order to learn Jujutsu. However, upon his arrival he discovers a new form of self-defence: Judo. The main character is based on Shiro Saigo, a legendary judoka.
Who’s in it. Sanshiro Sugata stars Denjirō Ōkōchi as Shogoro Yano, Susumu Fujita as Sanshiro Sugata, Yukiko Todoroki as Sayo Murai and Ryūnosuke Tsukigata as Gennosuke Higaki, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Sanshiro Sugata has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Sanshiro Sugata page.
If you liked it. Fans of Sanshiro Sugata tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Sanshiro Sugata (1943)?
- In US, Sanshiro Sugata is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Sanshiro Sugata worth watching?
- Sanshiro Sugata holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Sanshiro Sugata?
- Sanshiro Sugata stars Denjirō Ōkōchi, Susumu Fujita, Yukiko Todoroki, Ryūnosuke Tsukigata and Takashi Shimura.
- When was Sanshiro Sugata released?
- Sanshiro Sugata was released in 1943, with a runtime of about 80 minutes.