The Ceremony (1971): cast, story & where to watch
1971 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1971, The Ceremony is a drama film directed by Nagisa Ōshima, running about 123 minutes.
What it’s about. Oshima’s magisterial epic, centering on the ambivalent surviving heir of the Sakurada clan, uses ritual and the microcosm of the traditional family to trace the rise and fall of militaristic Japan across several decades.
Who’s in it. The Ceremony stars Kenzō Kawarasaki as Sakurada Masuo, Atsuko Kaku as Sakurada Ritsuko, Nobuko Otowa as Sakurada Shizu and Kei Satō as Sakurada Kazuomi, Grandfather, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, The Ceremony has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Ceremony page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Ceremony tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Ceremony (1971)?
- In US, The Ceremony is available to stream on Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Ceremony worth watching?
- The Ceremony holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Ceremony?
- The Ceremony stars Kenzō Kawarasaki, Atsuko Kaku, Nobuko Otowa, Kei Satō and Maki Takayama.
- When was The Ceremony released?
- The Ceremony was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 123 minutes.