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The Whole Family Works

6.719391h 5mMovieDrama

A large family scrapes by on the meager salaries of the father and three eldest sons, who left school in order to work and support the family. The fourth eldest is soon to graduate and follow in their footsteps, though he'd rather continue…

DirectorMikio Naruse
WriterMikio Naruse
ProducerMasanobu Takeyama

Where to watch

Not available in United States
Streaming in 1 other country

The Whole Family Works isn't on any streaming service in United States right now, but it's available in Japan. Streaming rights are licensed per country.

Cast · Directed by Mikio Naruse

MTMusei Tokugawa
Musei Tokugawa
Ishimura
NHNoriko Honma
Noriko Honma
Ishimura's wife
AU
Akira Ubukata
Kiichi, first son
KI
Kaoru Itō
Genji, second son
SM
Seikichi Minami
Noboru, third son
TH
Takeshi Hirata
Eisaku, fourth son
SB
Seiichiro Bando
Kokichi, fifth son
KW
Kiyoko Wakaba
Hide, first daughter
DODen Obinata
Den Obinata
Ogawa - the teacher
ST
Sumie Tsubaki
Mitsuko
JM
Jun Maki
Kiichi's goroup leader
KF
Kinji Fujiwa
Ishimura's fellow worker

More from Musei Tokugawa · Lead actor

Big Edo's 1,000 Ryo Festival
Big Edo's 1,000 Ryo Festival
1958
An Actor's Revenge
An Actor's Revenge
1963 · 6.6
Flirtation in Spring
Flirtation in Spring
1949 · 10.0
Children Hand in Hand
Children Hand in Hand
1948 · 7.0
The Third President
The Third President
1958 · 10.0
The Legend of the White Serpent
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1956 · 6.1
Work Hard, Happy Girls!
Work Hard, Happy Girls!
1959
Dangoro's 'Above the Clouds' Group' Sequel
Dangoro's 'Above the Clouds' Group' Sequel
1963
Freedom School
Freedom School
1951
Diary of a Nurse
Diary of a Nurse
1947
See all fromMusei Tokugawa

More from Noriko Honma · Co-star actress

Seven Samurai
Seven Samurai
1954 · 8.5
Ikiru
Ikiru
1952 · 8.3
Rashomon
Rashomon
1950 · 8.0
Dreams
Dreams
1990 · 7.8
Red Beard
Red Beard
1965 · 8.2
Yojimbo
Yojimbo
1961 · 8.1
Rhapsody in August
Rhapsody in August
1991 · 7.1
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
1966 · 6.3
Stray Dog
Stray Dog
1949 · 7.6
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
1956 · 7.2
See all fromNoriko Honma

More from Mikio Naruse · Director

Wife
Wife
1953 · 7.2
Repast
Repast
1951 · 7.6
Floating Clouds
Floating Clouds
1955 · 7.7
Mother
Mother
1952 · 7.0
Yearning
Yearning
1964 · 8.1
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs
1960 · 8.0
Sound of the Mountain
Sound of the Mountain
1954 · 7.4
Brother and Sister
Brother and Sister
1953 · 6.3
Little Peach
Little Peach
1958 · 6.1
Flowing
Flowing
1956 · 7.2
See all fromMikio Naruse

More like this

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The Whole Family Works — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Whole Family Works?

The Whole Family Works isn't on any streaming service in United States yet, but it's available in Japan. Streaming rights differ by country — switch your country in the header to see where.

Is The Whole Family Works on Netflix?

No, The Whole Family Works is not on Netflix in United States as of September 2026.

Is The Whole Family Works on Amazon Prime Video?

No, The Whole Family Works isn't on Amazon Prime Video in United States right now.

Where can I watch The Whole Family Works for free?

The Whole Family Works isn't streaming in United States yet, so there's no way to watch it free at the moment.