Five Men in a Circus (1935): cast, story & where to watch
1935 · Film · ★ 5.5
Released in 1935, Five Men in a Circus is a comedy and drama film directed by Mikio Naruse, running about 65 minutes.
What it’s about. The main focus is on the 5 member band of a small circus as it runs into problems while touring rural Japan. It also pays lots of attention to the two daughters of the aging and irascible ringmaster-circus owner. The high points are the sound (and score) and cinematography featuring a lot of vertiginous panning (appropriate - as high wire trapeze artists are also an important element in the film). A fascinating side-light on 30s Japan.
Who’s in it. Five Men in a Circus stars Heihachirô Ôkawa as Kokichi, Hiroshi Uruki as Torakichi, Kamatari Fujiwara as Tadakichi and Riki Miyagawa as Rokuta, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, Five Men in a Circus 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 Five Men in a Circus page.
If you liked it. Fans of Five Men in a Circus tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Five Men in a Circus (1935)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Five Men in a Circus change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Five Men in a Circus worth watching?
- Five Men in a Circus holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Five Men in a Circus?
- Five Men in a Circus stars Heihachirô Ôkawa, Hiroshi Uruki, Kamatari Fujiwara, Riki Miyagawa and Ko Mihashi.
- When was Five Men in a Circus released?
- Five Men in a Circus was released in 1935, with a runtime of about 65 minutes.