The Mikado (1939): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1939, The Mikado is a comedy, romance and music film directed by Victor Schertzinger, running about 90 minutes.

What it’s about. In a mythical Japan, Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor, has been appointed Lord High Executioner and must find someone to execute before the arrival of the ruling Mikado. He lights upon Nanki-Poo, a strolling minstrel who loves the beautiful Yum-Yum. But Yum-Yum is also loved by Ko-Ko, and Nanki-Poo, seeing no hope for his love, considers suicide. Ko-Ko offers to solve both their problems by executing Nanki-Poo, and an agreement is reached whereby Ko-Ko will allow Nanki-Poo to marry Yum-Yum for one month, at the end of which Nanki-Poo will be executed, in time for the arrival of the Mikado. But what Ko-Ko doesn't know is that Nanki-Poo is the son of the Mikado and has run away to avoid a betrothal to an old harridan named Katisha. The arrival of the Mikado brings all the threads of the tale together

Who’s in it. The Mikado stars Martyn Green as Ko-Ko, Sydney Granville as Pooh-Bah, John Barclay as The Mikado and Kenny Baker as Nanki-Poo, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Mikado has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Mikado page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Mikado tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.