The Bodyguard (1973): cast, story & where to watch
1973 · Film · ★ 4.1
Released in 1973, The Bodyguard is an action and thriller film directed by Ryuichi Takamori, running about 88 minutes. “Sonny Chiba, hired to kill... If his kick doesn't get you... his fatal fist will!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Karate master and anti-drug vigilante Chiba returns to his home in Japan, where he holds a press conference announcing his intention to wipe out the nation's drug industry. He also offers his services as a bodyguard to anyone who is willing to come forward and provide information about the drug lords' activities. He is soon approached by a mysterious woman claiming to have important information and asking for Chiba's protection. She seems to be legitimate, but is she really what she appears to be?
Who’s in it. The Bodyguard stars Sonny Chiba, Mari Atsumi, Ryôhei Uchida and Saburo Date, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.1/10, The Bodyguard has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Bodyguard page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Bodyguard tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Bodyguard (1973)?
- In US, The Bodyguard is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling and Amazon Prime Video with Ads, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Bodyguard worth watching?
- The Bodyguard holds an audience score of 4.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action and thriller. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Bodyguard?
- The Bodyguard stars Sonny Chiba, Mari Atsumi, Ryôhei Uchida, Saburo Date and Rinichi Yamamoto.
- When was The Bodyguard released?
- The Bodyguard was released in 1973, with a runtime of about 88 minutes.