The Master Spearman (1960): cast, story & where to watch
1960 · Film · ★ 5.2
Released in 1960, The Master Spearman is a drama film directed by Tomu Uchida, running about 99 minutes.
What it’s about. This subversive period film features a hotheaded young samurai, Kurodo, who threatens to commit harakiri in response to the humiliation meted out to his family by the Shogun. The film critiques the inhumanity of feudal obligations, and Uchida’s direction slyly satirizes the contemporary cinematic audience, whose taste for onscreen bloodshed is mirrored in a crowd gathering to watch the protagonist’s planned suicide. The Master Spearman is imbued with Uchida’s characteristic blend of dark humor and stylized action, and Ryutaro Otomo gives an admirable performance in the lead.
Who’s in it. The Master Spearman stars Ryutaro Otomo as Takasada Tomita, Chikage Awashima as Sakon Murayama, Hiromi Hanazono as Umeme and Isao Yamagata as Mitsunari Ishida, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, The Master Spearman has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Master Spearman page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Master Spearman tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Master Spearman (1960)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Master Spearman change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Master Spearman worth watching?
- The Master Spearman holds an audience score of 5.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Master Spearman?
- The Master Spearman stars Ryutaro Otomo, Chikage Awashima, Hiromi Hanazono, Isao Yamagata and Kensaku Hara.
- When was The Master Spearman released?
- The Master Spearman was released in 1960, with a runtime of about 99 minutes.