Ninja, A Band of Assassins Poster

Ninja, A Band of Assassins 1962

★ 6.228 votes104 min📅 1962-12-01

"The Film that made Ninjas legendary!"

Dive into the feudal intrigue of *Ninja, A Band of Assassins* (1962), a pulse-pounding action classic directed by Satsuo Yamamoto.

Director: Satsuo Yamamoto

Cast

Raizō Ichikawa
Raizō Ichikawa
Ishikawa Goemon
Yūnosuke Itō
Yūnosuke Itō
Sandayû Momochi
Shiho Fujimura
Shiho Fujimura
Maki
Katsuhiko Kobayashi
Katsuhiko Kobayashi
Nobuo Oda
Saburo Date
Saburo Date
Kō Nishimura
Kō Nishimura
Kizaru
Kyôko Kishida
Kyôko Kishida
Inone
Reiko Fujiwara
Reiko Fujiwara
Hata
Chitose Maki
Chitose Maki
Tamo
Takeshi Katō
Takeshi Katō

Frequently Asked Questions

What is *Ninja, A Band of Assassins* (1962) about?

This 1962 action film plunges viewers into Japan's war-torn past, where a skilled young ninja is coerced into joining a high-stakes plot to assassinate the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga. As political tensions rise, the protagonist must navigate a web of deceit, testing the boundaries of honor and survival.

Who directed *Ninja, A Band of Assassins*?

Satsuo Yamamoto, a prolific Japanese director known for his socially conscious films, helmed this historic action thriller.

Who stars in *Ninja, A Band of Assassins*?

The film features Raizō Ichikawa as the conflicted ninja recruit, alongside Yūnosuke Itō as the sinister mastermind, Shiho Fujimura, Katsuhiko Kobayashi, and Saburo Date in pivotal roles.

Is *Ninja, A Band of Assassins* (1962) worth watching?

While its IMDb rating is unlisted, this cult classic stands out for its early take on the ninja mythos, atmospheric tension, and Raizō Ichikawa's magnetic performance. Fans of historical action or Japanese cinema history will find it a compelling watch.

How long is *Ninja, A Band of Assassins*?

The film runs for 104 minutes, delivering a tight, adrenaline-fueled narrative perfect for a single sitting.

🎥 Trailer

About Ninja, A Band of Assassins (1962) — The Forgotten Samurai Assassins Who Shaped a Genre

Dive into the feudal intrigue of *Ninja, A Band of Assassins* (1962), a pulse-pounding action classic directed by Satsuo Yamamoto. Set against the backdrop of Japan's turbulent Sengoku period, this black-and-white gem follows a young ninja recruit as he's drawn into a high-stakes assassination plot against the formidable warlord Oda Nobunaga. With razor-sharp tension and shadowy betrayals, the film explores themes of loyalty, duty, and the blurred line between heroism and manipulation. Raizō Ichikawa leads a stellar cast, embodying the conflicted protagonist with brooding intensity, while Yūnosuke Itō delivers a villainous mastermind's chilling charm. The atmosphere crackles with suspense, blending historical drama with the timeless allure of the ninja mythos.

As one of cinema's earliest and most influential ninja films, *Ninja, A Band of Assassins* (1962) helped cement the genre's legendary status, blending raw action with a gritty, atmospheric realism. Its black-and-white cinematography heightens the stark moral dilemmas at play, offering a glimpse into a world where every shadow hides a blade—and every oath could be a lie.