Sansho the Bailiff poster
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Sansho the Bailiff

8.119542h 4mMovieDrama

In 11th-century feudal Japan, following the exile of an idealistic governor, his wife and children are separated by slave traders; the children, Zushio and Anju, are sold into brutal servitude under the cruel bailiff Sansho.

DirectorKenji Mizoguchi
WritersYoshikata Yoda·Fuji Yahiro
ProducerMasaichi Nagata

Where to watch

Criterion ChannelCriterion ChannelPlexPlex
Availability shown for Canada · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi

KTKinuyo Tanaka
Kinuyo Tanaka
Tamaki
YH
Yoshiaki Hanayagi
Zushiô
KKKyōko Kagawa
Kyōko Kagawa
Anju
ESEitarō Shindō
Eitarō Shindō
Sanshô dayû
ISIchirō Sugai
Ichirō Sugai
Minister of Justice
BMBontarō Miake
Bontarō Miake
Kichiji
YK
Yōko Kozono
Kohagi
CNChieko Naniwa
Chieko Naniwa
Ubatake
KM
Kikue Mōri
Priestess
KM
Ken Mitsuda
Prime Minister Fujiwara
MSMasao Shimizu
Masao Shimizu
Masauji Taira
RKRyōsuke Kagawa
Ryōsuke Kagawa
Ritsushi Kumotake

More from Kinuyo Tanaka · Lead actress

Red Beard
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1965 · 8.2
Forever a Woman
Forever a Woman
1955 · 7.6
Equinox Flower
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Love, Be with Humanity: Part 1
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Youth, Why Do You Cry?
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1930
Confession
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Ugetsu
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Men vs. Women
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1936 · 7.0
Song of the Flower Basket
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1937 · 8.0
Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka
Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka
1959 · 5.3
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More from Yoshiaki Hanayagi · Co-star actor

The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum
The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum
1939 · 7.8
晴小袖
晴小袖
1940
The Story of Shunkin
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1954 · 6.3
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1963
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1961 · 7.0
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1941
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More from Kenji Mizoguchi · Director

Ugetsu
Ugetsu
1953 · 8.0
Street of Shame
Street of Shame
1956 · 7.7
Chikamatsu Monogatari
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1954 · 7.8
Utamaro and His Five Women
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1946 · 7.2
The Life of Oharu
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1952 · 7.7
Princess Yang Kwei-fei
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1955 · 6.7
Sisters of the Gion
Sisters of the Gion
1936 · 7.1
The Love of the Actress Sumako
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1947 · 7.0
The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum
The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum
1939 · 7.8
The Straits of Love and Hate
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1937 · 7.4
See all fromKenji Mizoguchi

More like this

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Throne of Blood
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The Ballad of Narayama
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Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
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Sansho the Bailiff — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Sansho the Bailiff?

Sansho the Bailiff is streaming on Criterion Channel and Plex in Canada, and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is Sansho the Bailiff on Netflix?

No, Sansho the Bailiff is not on Netflix in Canada as of September 2026. It's currently on Criterion Channel and Plex.

Is Sansho the Bailiff on Amazon Prime Video?

No, Sansho the Bailiff isn't on Amazon Prime Video in Canada right now. It's on Criterion Channel and Plex instead.

Where can I watch Sansho the Bailiff for free?

Sansho the Bailiff is available to stream free (with ads) on Plex in Canada.