Masahiko Tanimura

Acting

Masahiko Tanimura

Born — Died

1927-02-25 — 2000-08-06

Place of birth

Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Known for

Acting

Credits

60 titles

Known for

Dodes'ka-den poster
7.1

On a Tokyo dump’s shantytown edge, interwoven vignettes follow residents scraping by: a boy who “drives” an imaginary trolley, a homeless father and son designing a dream house, a young woman brutalized at home, drunks, schemers, and saints of small kindnesses. Kurosawa crafts a ragged mosaic of hardship, fantasy, and flickers of grace that keep people moving forward.

Dodes'ka-den

1970

None But the Brave poster
6.4

American and Japanese soldiers, stranded on a tiny Pacific island during World War II, must make a temporary truce and cooperate to survive various tribulations. Told through the eyes of the American and Japanese unit commanders, who must deal with an atmosphere of growing distrust and tension between their men.

None But the Brave

1965

Prophecies of Nostradamus poster
5.7

Professor Nishiyama, after studying and interpreting the prophecies of Nostradamus, realizes that the end of the world is at hand. Unfortunately, nobody listens to him until it is too late. As the effects of mankind's tampering of the earth - radioactive smog clouds, hideously mutated animals, destruction of the ozone layer - rage out of control, the world leaders hurtle blindly toward the final confrontation. The film sparked controversy in Japan and was subsequently pulled out of circulation, with no official video release of the uncut film.

Prophecies of Nostradamus

1974

Madadayo poster
7.3

In postwar Tokyo, beloved writer-professor Hyakken Uchida retires and is buoyed through hardship by the fierce devotion of his former students, who honor him each year with a raucous “Not yet!” birthday toast. Told in warm, gently comic vignettes, Kurosawa’s farewell celebrates aging, friendship, and the sustaining ritual of teacher and pupils refusing to say goodbye.

Madadayo

1993

Battle Anthem poster
7.7

The story of Japan's victory in the battle of Tsushima Strait.

Battle Anthem

1983

Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather poster
6.2

Onimasa is the egocentric boss of a small yakuza clan on Shikoku Island, whose criminal duties conflict with his self-image as a chivalrous samurai. His struggles with his boss, the Shikoku Godfather, and the tumultuous life of his adopted daughter, Matsue, form the backdrop of this epic tale of justice, obedience, and bloody vengeance.

Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather

1982

Film credits

1990s · 2 titles

1980s · 5 titles

1970s · 23 titles

Dodes'ka-den poster
7.1

On a Tokyo dump’s shantytown edge, interwoven vignettes follow residents scraping by: a boy who “drives” an imaginary trolley, a homeless father and son designing a dream house, a young woman brutalized at home, drunks, schemers, and saints of small kindnesses. Kurosawa crafts a ragged mosaic of hardship, fantasy, and flickers of grace that keep people moving forward.

Dodes'ka-den

1970

Prophecies of Nostradamus poster
5.7

Professor Nishiyama, after studying and interpreting the prophecies of Nostradamus, realizes that the end of the world is at hand. Unfortunately, nobody listens to him until it is too late. As the effects of mankind's tampering of the earth - radioactive smog clouds, hideously mutated animals, destruction of the ozone layer - rage out of control, the world leaders hurtle blindly toward the final confrontation. The film sparked controversy in Japan and was subsequently pulled out of circulation, with no official video release of the uncut film.

Prophecies of Nostradamus

1974

Miyamoto Musashi poster
7.3

In Part I we see the young would-be swordsman setting out to achieve greatness in war, achieving nothing because fighting on the losing side, & then beginning his long period of wandering & training, with the goal always in mind of his duel with Kojiro. Part II builds toward that great duel on Ganryu Island, with considerable focus on Musashi's planning & forethought as to how to gain an advantage.

Miyamoto Musashi

1973

Tora-san's Runaway poster
8.0

After an encounter with a dying yakuza's son and at his sister Sakura's urging, Torajiro attempts to change his vagrant lifestyle and become an honest worker with a steady job.

Tora-san's Runaway

1970

The Viper Brothers Rage Again poster
10.0

Part 2 in a long running (8+1 films) action/comedy/melodrama series about a pair of short tempered, amoral, but not evil chinpira (Bunta Sugawara and Tamio Kawachi) thinking too big of themselves.

The Viper Brothers Rage Again

1971

Outlaw Cop poster
5.3

A bad cop is engaged in a violent chase to catch a yakuza boss. In his absence his wife runs away with another man, who turns out to be the very same man that her husband is hunting. Once he discovers this, he loses his nerve and turns in his badge. But the chase turns into a personal vendetta where the ex-cop plans to wipe out the entire gang.

Outlaw Cop

1976

The Viper Brothers poster
7.7

After spending several years in prison, yakuza punk Masa (Bunta Sugawara) and his underling, Katsuji (Tamio Kawachi) are back out in the mean streets of Kobe to make a name for themselves amongst the local yakuza organization.

The Viper Brothers

1971

Truck Rascals: No One Can Stop Me poster
6.6

The first of many movies featuring the lighthearted adventures of two truck drivers. Momojiro and his best friend Kinzo take to the road on their cargo trucks impressing each other with their skills in driving fast and evading the police while transporting commodities throughout the country. Chance encounters with people along the way help them to come to terms with events clouding their past and offer them a shot at redemption.

Truck Rascals: No One Can Stop Me

1975

Tora-san's Pure Love poster
9.2

When Tora-san's infatuation with his nephew's school teacher causes family turmoil, he leaves on his travels again. When he returns, he falls in love with the teacher's mother.

Tora-san's Pure Love

1976

Tora-san's Love Call poster
8.4

Taking a message from Hiroshi's father to heart, Torajiro attempts to give up his wandering ways.

Tora-san's Love Call

1971

Yukyo-retsuden poster
7.5

A street vendor who eloped with his girlfriend and injured her brother loses her to illness, and now has to confront the brother and some dirty local yakuza.

Yukyo-retsuden

1970

Spartan Education poster
NR

In a match where professional baseball referee Yuzo Tagami was observing a young referee, Hara, a player who got angry at the indecisive judge, knocked the referee down. Tagami lived with his wife and five children, but when he returned home, Hara, who had been suspended for a month, wanted to receive Tagami's Subaruta training.

Spartan Education

1970

Duel at Fort Ezo poster
5.8

1864. Samurai Shinbei is sent in a secret mission to Ezo, in the North of Japan, to stop riots of villagers commanded by Jirozaemon. A Russian count's daughter, the village leader's daughter and a secret treasure add up to the adventure.

Duel at Fort Ezo

1970

The Viper Brothers: Prison Gang 13 poster
7.0

Part 3 in a long running (8+1 films) action/comedy/melodrama series about a pair of short tempered, amoral, but not evil chinpira (Bunta Sugawara and Tamio Kawachi) thinking too big of themselves.

The Viper Brothers: Prison Gang 13

1972

Toshigoro poster
NR

Teenage film

Toshigoro

1973

Flower and Dragon poster
10.0

Kingoro Tamai moves with his wife and son to the port city of Wakamatsu. He organizes the Tamai-gumi, a stevedore group, to vie for work with two other powerful groups. Gingo is Tamai's chief rival who falls in love with the latter's wife and tries to kill Tamai.

Flower and Dragon

1973

Hangyaku no Tabi poster
NR

Hiroshi Kakurai is an assassin who was thinking of retiring. He travels to an island in the Seto Inland Sea and begins to live peacefully with Shinobu, a woman he has fallen in love with, but the intensity of his love for her begins to drive him towards destruction...

Hangyaku no Tabi

1976

The Blossom and the Sword poster
7.7

Tai Kato’s early 20th century set yakuza epic about an ordinary merchant girl (Hiroko Maki) who crosses paths with an assassin (Tetsuya Watari). The encounter sends her to jail as a suspected accomplice. Years later she marries a yakuza boss, whose gang is affiliated with working class people.

The Blossom and the Sword

1973

Price of Life poster
NR

Comedy of a phony doctor.

Price of Life

1971

Kigeki Toruko-buro Osho-sen poster
6.0

A young man who aspires to become a big-shot businessman, finds himself in a twist of fate. Despite trying his hand at various jobs, success eludes him, and he unexpectedly ends up in Osaka's Shinimamiya district. With empty pockets, he stumbles upon an invitation to the 'Gokuraku Toruko' establishment, becoming a patron. Led by the enchanting Ibohachi, he becomes entangled with the charismatic hostesses, including the captivating Tama. This leads him to infiltrate Tama's apartment complex, Sakura-so. Within its walls reside a colorful cast of characters, from hostesses Chie, Akemi, Yukari, and Kayoko to the quirky parasites like Masao, Tetsuo, Arima, and more. Seeking a fresh start, He embarks on a journey as a 'parasite,' but things take unexpected turns...

Kigeki Toruko-buro Osho-sen

1971

Challenge at Dawn poster
NR

Set in Kawasaki in 1925, Challenge at Dawn is based on the Tsurumi Riot Incident, which actually ocurred in Yokohama that year and was sparked by corruption and yakuza involvement in the construction industry.

Challenge at Dawn

1971

Beyond the Rainbow poster
NR

One day an innocent-looking girl in white clothes appears on board of a ramshackle boat The owner of the boat, Okin, decides to let Mari stay with him without asking her any questions. Turmoil ensues with the reaction of the crew when the runaway girl starts working alongside with them.

Beyond the Rainbow

1972

It's a Psychic, Everybody Gather!! poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

It's a Psychic, Everybody Gather!!

1974

1960s · 25 titles

None But the Brave poster
6.4

American and Japanese soldiers, stranded on a tiny Pacific island during World War II, must make a temporary truce and cooperate to survive various tribulations. Told through the eyes of the American and Japanese unit commanders, who must deal with an atmosphere of growing distrust and tension between their men.

None But the Brave

1965

Stardust Wharf poster
8.0

Hamada, Izumi, and Aki Jo, a rising singer from Toshiba Records, form a fresh trio who risk their youthful energy to bravely confront violence in this bright and cheerful coming-of-age action film.

Stardust Wharf

1968

Velvet Hustler poster
6.8

A young yakuza hitman named Goro does a job and needs to hideout away from Tokyo for a while. He hangs out with loose women and hard men and always manages to stay one step ahead of the law. In his exile, he comes under suspicion for a murder and meets the girlfriend of the murdered man. They develop a strange bond while unbeknown to Goro, another hitman is after him for the job he did in Tokyo.

Velvet Hustler

1967

Romance Express poster
7.0

Comedy of manners set on the "Kodama" train between Tokyo and Osaka, before the opening of the Shinkansen. In the leading role, Frankie Sakai plays a straightforward but indecisive hero. The passengers also include the bubbly Dan Reiko, and Ozawa Eitaro as a dour company president. Based on the novel "Seven and a half hours", by Shishi Bunroku.

Romance Express

1961

恋と出世に強くなれ! poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

恋と出世に強くなれ!

1963

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Ganpā kachō

1961

Heavenly Comic Story of a Gentleman poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Heavenly Comic Story of a Gentleman

1960

Biting Young Master poster
NR

Modern comedy.

Biting Young Master

1960

Hot Vacation poster
NR

Comedy about a man's adventures in Bangkok, Thailand.

Hot Vacation

1968

Ryuji's Journey: The Crest of Man poster
NR

The new head of a powerful family faces danger from an evil rival out for blood.

Ryuji's Journey: The Crest of Man

1965

Born Under Crossed Stars poster
6.6

A young man with a strong sense of justice is torn between two girls: the flighty Taneko and the serious Suzuko. With wisdom, courage and honor in a Japanese spirit of manliness he wins the day.

Born Under Crossed Stars

1965

Outlaw: Goro the Assassin poster
6.6

On a cold winter day, Goro Fujikawa (Tetsuya Watari) and Masahiko murder the mob boss of Meishin-Kai. The deed costs them time in prison, but Goro had no shred of regret. When Goro is released 2 years later, Masahiko is dying in prison hospital and entrusts his last wish; "find my sister and take care of her." Goro leaves as a free man with a mission, but soon finds that he might have been better off in jail.

Outlaw: Goro the Assassin

1968

前科・仮釈放 poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

前科・仮釈放

1969

The Black Gambler: The Gambling Syndicate poster
7.0

Place your bets! Japan's greatest gambler, Koji Himuro (Akira Kobayashi), faces off against an international cabal of gamblers with only his wits and his incredibly skilled left hand against every conceivable way to cheat someone in a game.

The Black Gambler: The Gambling Syndicate

1965

Umineko ga tonde poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Umineko ga tonde

1962

The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil poster
10.0

The fictional land "Pandora" sends three (numbered) graduates of the "National Gambling University" to Japan. You should defeat the master player Kôji, control the international casino empire and use the profits to achieve world domination. But Japan's most famous left hand knows what to do.

The Black Gambler: Left Hand of the Devil

1966

The Dragon of Macao poster
8.0

Ryu (Akira Kobayashi) sets foot on the Yokohama port with a suitcase filled with 300 thousand dollars. He was sent by a jewelry company in Hong Kong to retrieve a certain diamond that was stolen from them. The "Himalayan Star" is worth couple hundred million yen and unbeknown to Ryu, it now lays in the hands of Aizu (Jo Shishido), the infamous ”Pirate of the Tokyo Bay."

The Dragon of Macao

1965

The Rule for a Vagabond poster
NR

A brave warrior fights to restore peace to a town riddled by crime, one sword at a time, in this historical action saga.

The Rule for a Vagabond

1965

Duel in the Storm poster
10.0

It is the Taisho era in Japan. A man has quit the Yakuza after five years and returned to Shikoku in order to begin his life anew as a ferryman. His boss, however, became ill and the boat is taken due to unpaid debts to the local thugs. His new life has not begun well and he is determined to rebuild the shattered business. The Yakuza, however, have added the ferry business to the rest of their portfolio of local concerns.

Duel in the Storm

1968

No artwork available
NR

Japanese comedy film.

凸凹珍道中

1960

The School Cap poster
NR

A Tokyo student transfers to a rural school and finds it difficult to adjust himself to its customs and traditions. One of the customs is the wearing of an old school cap by a senior. It is a symbol of courage and bravery and is handed down to a new senior each year.

The School Cap

1963

Young Lord Yakuza poster
8.0

Young Lord Taihei goes to Edo to find the lost family treasure, a plover incense burner, under the disguise of a ronin.

Young Lord Yakuza

1961

The Kanto Region Is Also Expanding poster
NR

A man who was released from prison wanders around the Kanto region and gets involved with the local yakuza.

The Kanto Region Is Also Expanding

1967

Sararīman yajikita dōchū poster
NR

1961 Japanese movie

Sararīman yajikita dōchū

1961

The Dragon and the Tiger poster
7.0

A young gambler returns from prison to find his gang scattered, and many gone over to his old rival. But their rivalry is not only a matter of gambling. For when he is about to marry the daughter of a police official, the rival again interferes and this time it is a fight to the finish -- the end of his enemy.

The Dragon and the Tiger

1966

1950s · 5 titles