Blu-ray release: ‘Sansho the Bailiff’

By   |  Oct 28, 2025

Criterion Collection are bringing the 1954 Japanese period drama ‘Sansho the Bailiff’ (山椒大夫) to UK Blu-ray on December 8, 2025.

Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, the film portrays a family’s tragic disintegration as they are separated and sold into slavery, enduring profound suffering and moral dilemmas under a cruel feudal system. The cast includes Kinuyo Tanaka, Kyoko Kagawa, Eitaro Shindo, Yoshiaki Hanayagi, and Ichiro Sugai.

Synopsis: Zushio and Anju are separated from their parents after their father is exiled, and each must navigate a harsh and unforgiving world while struggling to survive. Zushio confronts moral dilemmas and the cruelty of those in power as he seeks a path of justice and compassion, while Anju faces hardship and loss but clings to hope and resilience. Their experiences are shaped by enduring bonds of family, the challenges of oppression, and the struggle to maintain humanity and integrity amid suffering.

Features:
• High-definition digital restoration
• Uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• Audio commentary with Jeffrey Angles
• Interviews with Tokuzo Tanaka, Kyoko Kagawa, and Tadao Sato
• An essay by Mark Le Fanu

‘Sansho the Bailiff’ is available for pre-order now from Amazon.co.uk.

Phil Mills
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