The Song Lantern (1943): cast, story & where to watch
1943 · Film · ★ 6.4
Released in 1943, The Song Lantern is a drama film directed by Mikio Naruse, running about 93 minutes.
What it’s about. A self-absorbed young actor humiliates an elderly Noh performer, who then commits suicide. His act of cruelty compels his father to disown him, leading the once promising actor to a life on the streets. But his desire to win back the respect of his father and the affection of the dead actor's daughter pushes him toward a more noble existence. Naruse employed a delicately structured mise-en-scene in this family melodrama, which evokes the work of Josef von Sternberg.
Who’s in it. The Song Lantern stars Shôtarô Hanayagi as Onchi Kitahachi, Eijirō Yanagi as Jirozou, Ichijirō Oya as Onchi Genjiro and Kan Ishii as Henmi Sessou, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, The Song Lantern 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 The Song Lantern page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Song Lantern tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Song Lantern (1943)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Song Lantern change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Song Lantern worth watching?
- The Song Lantern holds an audience score of 6.4 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 Song Lantern?
- The Song Lantern stars Shôtarô Hanayagi, Eijirō Yanagi, Ichijirō Oya, Kan Ishii and Isuzu Yamada.
- When was The Song Lantern released?
- The Song Lantern was released in 1943, with a runtime of about 93 minutes.