The Mikado (1987): cast, story & where to watch
1987 · Film
Released in 1987, The Mikado is a comedy, drama, romance and music film directed by John Michael Phillips, running about 130 minutes. “Operetta, Musical” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Jonathan Miller set his well-known production of The Mikado, staged for the English National Opera, in a British seaside resort of the 1920s. The result, complete with a chorus of gentlemen of Japan as cartoon-like British peers, emphatically underscores the Englishness of the satire. The occasional non sequiturs, like a bunch of gentry dressed for Ascot and singing in Japanese, are loonily fun, and no more absurd than the fantasyland Japan that Gilbert and Sullivan invented. The time frame, though, seems little more than an excuse for a smart black-and-white production design.
Who’s in it. The Mikado stars Eric Idle as Ko-Ko, Lesley Garrett as Yum-Yum, Bonaventura Bottone as Nanki-Poo and Richard Van Allan as Pooh-Bah, among others.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. 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.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Mikado (1987)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Mikado change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Who stars in The Mikado?
- The Mikado stars Eric Idle, Lesley Garrett, Bonaventura Bottone, Richard Van Allan and Felicity Palmer.
- When was The Mikado released?
- The Mikado was released in 1987, with a runtime of about 130 minutes.