Five Men in a Circus

1h 5min

Drama

Comedy

The main focus is on the 5 member band of a small circus as it runs into problems while touring rural Japan. It also pays lots of attention to the two daughters of the aging and irascible ringmaster-circus owner. The high points are the sound (and score) and cinematography featuring a lot of vertiginous panning (appropriate - as high wire trapeze artists are also an important element in the film). A fascinating side-light on 30s Japan.

Cast

Hiroshi Uruki

Hiroshi Uruki

Torakichi
Sadao Maruyama

Sadao Maruyama

Chief Travelling Circus
Koji Kaga

Koji Kaga

Kunio, the acrobat
Kajiya Morino

Kajiya Morino

Matsumoto the Manager
Masako Sanjo

Masako Sanjo

Equilibrist in giant ball

Release date

21st Oct 1935

Status

Released

Spoken languages

日本語