A Spectacular Showdown (1959): cast, story & where to watch
1959 · Film · ★ 5.8
Released in 1959, A Spectacular Showdown is an action film directed by Yasushi Sasaki, running about 114 minutes.
What it’s about. One of the great stories from Japan’s rich history comes to life in this true tale of the bloody showdown between two rival yakuza gangs in the 1840’s. The battle between Boss Sukegoro of Iioka and Boss Shigezo of Sasagawa has been portrayed many times, most notably in the first Zatoichi film, where the blind man befriends the tubercular ronin Hirate Miki, before cutting him down in one of the great duels in cinema history. This all-star extravaganza pulls out all the stops, with appearances by virtually all of the great actors and actresses from Toei’s studio at the time. Ichikawa Utaemon’s portrayal of the kind-hearted, noble yakuza boss Shigezo of Sasagawa contrasts sharply with the devious Sukegoro of Iioka. Corrupt as he may have been, his men were all willing to give up their lives for him.
Who’s in it. A Spectacular Showdown stars Utaemon Ichikawa as Sasagawa no Shigezo, Chiyonosuke Azuma as Kiyotaki no Sakichi, Kinnosuke Nakamura as Sunosaki no Masakichi and Koinosuke Onoe, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, A Spectacular Showdown 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 A Spectacular Showdown page.
If you liked it. Fans of A Spectacular Showdown 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 A Spectacular Showdown (1959)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for A Spectacular Showdown change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is A Spectacular Showdown worth watching?
- A Spectacular Showdown holds an audience score of 5.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in A Spectacular Showdown?
- A Spectacular Showdown stars Utaemon Ichikawa, Chiyonosuke Azuma, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Koinosuke Onoe and Kotaro Satomi.
- When was A Spectacular Showdown released?
- A Spectacular Showdown was released in 1959, with a runtime of about 114 minutes.