Beauty and the Thief Poster

Beauty and the Thief 1952

80 min📅 1952-09-22

Directed by Keigo Kimura, *Beauty and the Thief (1952)* immerses viewers in a haunting jidaigeki tale set against Japan's turbulent mid-19th century. Machiko Kyō and Masayuki Mori lead a cast that embodies the film's duality—blending brutal violence with a dreamlike lyricism.

Director: Keigo Kimura

Cast

Machiko Kyō
Machiko Kyō
Sakin
Masayuki Mori
Masayuki Mori
Kuroki no Taro
Rentaro Mikuni
Rentaro Mikuni
Kuroki no Jiro
Takashi Shimura
Takashi Shimura
Yoshimichi
Minoru Chiaki
Minoru Chiaki
Takeichi no Takamaru
Bokuzen Hidari
Bokuzen Hidari
Yūnosuke Itō
Yūnosuke Itō
Dohachi
Tanie Kitabayashi
Tanie Kitabayashi
Mrs. Inokuma
Yūko Mochizuki
Yūko Mochizuki
Kotora
Ichirō Sugai
Ichirō Sugai
Mr. Inokuma

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beauty and the Thief (1952) about?

*Beauty and the Thief (1952)* follows a desperate love story set during Japan's mid-19th century famine. As survival becomes a daily struggle, the film weaves violence, desire, and poetic melancholy into a gripping narrative that reflects the era's moral decay and fleeting beauty.

Who directed Beauty and the Thief?

Keigo Kimura directed *Beauty and the Thief (1952)*, crafting a jidaigeki drama that blends historical brutality with lyrical storytelling.

Who stars in Beauty and the Thief?

The film stars Machiko Kyō and Masayuki Mori as its central figures, supported by a cast including Rentaro Mikuni, Takashi Shimura, and Minoru Chiaki.

Is Beauty and the Thief (1952) worth watching?

*Beauty and the Thief (1952)* is a hidden gem for fans of jidaigeki films and historical dramas. While not widely known, its atmospheric storytelling and stark themes make it a compelling watch for those who appreciate period pieces with depth and visual poetry.

How long is Beauty and the Thief?

The runtime of *Beauty and the Thief (1952)* is 80 minutes.

About Beauty and the Thief (1952) — Keigo Kimura's Gritty Jidaigeki Classic Explored

Directed by Keigo Kimura, *Beauty and the Thief (1952)* immerses viewers in a haunting jidaigeki tale set against Japan's turbulent mid-19th century. Machiko Kyō and Masayuki Mori lead a cast that embodies the film's duality—blending brutal violence with a dreamlike lyricism. This period drama, steeped in both history and myth, unfolds during the devastating famine of 1833, where survival and morality blur in a world of desperation and poetic beauty.

The film's stark contrasts mirror the era itself: poverty and resilience, corruption and honor, all captured in stark black-and-white frames. With its rich visual storytelling and raw emotional intensity, *Beauty and the Thief (1952)* offers a rare glimpse into a pivotal chapter of Japanese history, where every frame feels like a brushstroke from a forgotten masterpiece.