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List of historical films set in Asia

Historical or period drama is a film genre in which stories are based on historical events and famous persons. Some historical dramas attempt to accurately portray a historical event or biography, to the degree that the available historical research will allow. Other historical dramas are fictionalised tales that are based on an actual person and their deeds.

Due to the sheer volume of films included in this genre and in the interest of continuity, this list is primarily focused on films pertaining to the history of East Asia, Central Asia, and India. For films pertaining to the history of Near Eastern and Western civilisation, please refer to list of historical period drama films and series set in Near Eastern and Western civilization.

The films on this page are divided into regions, and within each region the films are listed chronologically.

Central Asia

Sortable table
Title Release date Time period Setting Notes
The Beast 1988 1981 Afghanistan during the Soviet–Afghan War
The Orphanage 2019 1989–1990 Afghanistan The story of children living in an orphanage in Kabul in Soviet Afghanistan and during the outbreak of the Afghan Civil War
Kandahar 2001 1996–2001 Afghanistan Afghanistan during the Taliban regime
Tomiris 2019 6th century Kazakhstan Kazakhstani historical drama about Tomyris, the 6th century queen of the Massagetae
Myn Bala 2011 18th century Kazakhstan Kazakhstani historical dramatic film depicting the eighteenth century war fought between the Kazakhs and the Dzungar Khanate
Nomad 2006 18th century Kazakhstan about the early years of Ablai Khan (early 18th century), a Kazakh khan in part of what is now Kazakhstan.
Genghis Khan 1950 1158–1227 Mongolia Life of the Mongol emperor Genghis Khan focusing on the succession of his throne.
Genghis Khan 1965 1158–1227 Mongolia The life and conquests of the Mongol emperor Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea 2007 1158–1227 Mongolia Japanese-Mongolian film about the life of Genghis Khan
Mongol 2007 1172–1192 Mongolia Mongolian language film depicting the early life of Genghis Khan, focusing on the years 1172–1192
The Conqueror 1956 1178–1203 Mongolia English-language film starring John Wayne as Genghis Khan
Queen Mandukhai the Wise 1988 1449–1510 Mongolia Mongolian language film about the life of Queen Mandukhai (1449–1510) who reunited the Mongols.
Tsogt Taij 1945 1581–1637 Mongolia Mongolian language film about the patriotic struggle of Prince Tsogt Taij (1581–1637).
Kundun 1997 1950 Tibet an American film depicting the early life of the 14th Dalai Lama and the 1950 invasion of Tibet and subsequent events
The Golden Horde 1951 1220 Uzbekistan English-language film about an English knight who leads the defense of Samarkand against Genghis Khan

South Asia

Indian History

Sortable table
Title Release Period Note on setting
Mohenjo Daro 2016 2016 BC Fictional story set in Mohenjo-daro, a city of the Bronze Age Indus Valley civilization.
Siddhartha 1972 563/480–483/400 BC About the life of a boy and his search for a meaningful way of life
Gautama Buddha 2007 563/480–483/400 BC About the life of Gautama Buddha
Amrapali 1966 500 – ? BC Based on the life of Ambapali in India
Sikandar 1941 326 BC Set after Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia and as he pertains to his conquest of the kingdoms of Pauravas.
Chanakya Chandragupta 1977 3rd century BC Based on the lives of Maurya Emperor Chandragupta Maurya and his mentor Chanakya
Asoka 2001 268–232 BC fictionalized account of the reign of Ashoka (r. ), of the Mauryan Empire in India
Gautamiputra Satakarni 2017 2nd century about the achievements of Satavahana dynasty ruler Gautamiputra Satakarni who defeated Indo-Sythians, Alcon-Hunns etc.
Mayura 1975 345–365 Based on the Kadamba dynasty's King Mayurasharma set in India
Rajaraja Cholan 1973 947–1014 About the life history of great king Raja Raja Chola
Maharaj 2024 1862 About the famous Maharaj Libel Case and Saurabh Shah's novel about the case. [1]
Ponniyin Selvan 2022[2] 947–1014 About the life history of great king Raja Raja Chola
Ambikapathy 1937 1083 Tamil, a love story set in India in 1083
Samrat Prithviraj 2022 1178–1192 Based on Prithviraj Raso by Chand Bardai narrating the life of Prithviraj Chauhan[3]
Rudhramadevi 2015 1262–1289 Based on the life of Rudrama Devi and her achievements during her ruling period
Padmaavat 2018 1303 Based on Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi about Padmavati, a legendary Rajput queen, and her kingdom's war with the Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji
Urumi 2011 1500 Historical fiction on Portuguese colonial rule in Malabar
Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea 2021 1505–1601 Based on the battle exploits and resistance of Kunjali Marakkar IV, the naval commander of the Samoothiri of Calicut, against Portuguese invasion along the Malabar Coast for establishing monopoly of trade in the Indian subcontinent.
Tenali Ramakrishna 1956 1509–1529 Based on the life of Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna
Jodha-Akbar 2008 1560s Set during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, and his marriage to a Hindu Rajput princess Jodhaa
Mughal-e-Azam 1960 1570/1580 Set during the Mughal Empire, depicting fictional conflict between King Akbar and his son Crown Prince Salim over semi fictional courtesan Anarkali whose historical existence is very unlikely.
Bhakta Tukaram 1973 1600s Based on the life of Marathi poet and saint Tukaram
Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story 2005 1627–1658 Story of Shah Jahan and his Queen Mumtaz Mahal and history of the monument Taj Mahal built to honour Mumtaz Mahal after her death.
Pawankhind 2022 1660

Based on the last stand battle of Pavan khind fought between the forces of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj under Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Adilshahi forces under Siddi Jauhar.

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior 2020 1670 Biopic of Tanaji Malusare and centered around Maratha expedition of Kondhana also called Battle of Singhad.
Chhava 2024 1657 -1689 Story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, his military expendition.[4]
Hari Hara Veera Mallu 2022 17th century Telugu film; based on the life of legendary outlaw Veera Mallu
Bajirao Mastani 2015 1720–1740 Based loosely on the life of Bajirao I and his controversial marriage to his Muslim wife Mastani albeit with lot of inaccuracies.
Veerapandiya Kattabomman 1959 1760–1799 About the resistance of Veerapandiya Kattabomman to the Company rule in India, rule of the East India Company
Panipat: The Great Betrayal 2019 1761 Based on the Third Battle of Panipat.
Laal Kaptaan 2019 1764–1789 A revenge drama set after the events of the Battle of Buxar
Thugs of Hindostan 2018 1795–1800s Based on a band of Thugs resisting the East India Company's rule in India.
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja 2009 1796–1797 Life of Pazhassi Raja—an Indian royal resisting the East India Company
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy 2019 1806–1847 Based on the life of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy
The Deceivers 1988 1825 About Thugees in India in 1825
Veer 2010 1825 Set during the 1825 Pindari movement of Rajasthan, when India was ruled by the East India Company
Shatranj Ke Khiladi 1977 1856 Entailing the East India Company's annexation of the kingdom of Oudh (Awadh) from Wajid Ali Shah in 1856 on the eve of the Sepoy Mutiny.
Junoon 1978 1857 About a love story between one of the Rebels of 1857 in Rohilkhand and an Anglo-Indian woman that he has held hostage (along with her mother and grandmother).
Mangal Pandey: The Rising 2005 1857 About Mangal Pandey and the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
Gandhi 1982 1869–1948 About the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi
Sardar 1993 1875–1950 Life of India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Jinnah 1998 1876–1948 Film follows the life of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Kappalottiya Tamizhan 1961 1870s–1930s Film about freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai who starts his fleet of ship by selling his property to protest against non usage of British ships for goods transport
Veer Savarkar 2001 1883–1966 About life and times of great revolutionary Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Lagaan 2001 1893 A fictional account of a cricket game between the villagers of Champaner and the local British cantonment played in an effort to cancel the "lagaan" (a grain tax levied by the colonial authorities in India).
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero 2005 1897–1945 About Indian freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose
Alluri Seetarama Raju 1974 1898–1924 Based on the life of Indian freedom fighter Alluri Sita Rama Raju.
Komaram Bheem 1990 1900–1940 Based on the life of Indian freedom fighter Komaram Bheem
RRR 2022 1910–1920s Fictional story about India's freedom fighters, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem; set in Delhi of 1920s
Sardar Udham 2021 1919–1940 About life and times of great revolutionary Sardar Udham[5]
A Passage To India 1984 1920s Based on E. M. Forster's novel about two British woman who visit India during the British Raj and their adventures there.
Paradesi 2013 1930s Based on the lives affected by plantation.
Sam Bahadur 2023 1934–1973 Biographical war drama film based on the life of India's first field marshal, Sam Manekshaw.[6]
Madrasapattinam 2010 1940s A fictional account about the love story between a British woman and an Indian man during the Raj
Zubeidaa 2001 1940s/1950s a semi-biographical account of writer Khalid Mohamed's mother, the actress Zubeida Begum that is set in the late 1940s and the 1950s.
Dharmputra 1961 1947 This picture is concerned with the communal violence that marked the Partition of India in 1947. Set in Delhi, the movie focuses on the complex relationships between two families, namely a Hindu one and a Muslim one.
1947 Earth 1998 1947 A partition film, directed by Deepa Mehta
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha 2001 1947 Another movie featuring the 1947 partition starring Sunny Deol and Amisha Patel in a Sikh-Muslim love story.
Pinjar 2003 1947 with regards to the partition of Punjab. This film is based on the Amrita Pritam story of the same name.
Partition 2007 1947 one of the more recent films on the Indian partition.
Hey Ram 2000 1948 Tamil, A period drama told in flashback, the semi-fictional plot centres on India's Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
Gangubai Kathiawadi 2022 1952–1968 based on the life of social activist and prostitute Gangubai Kothewali
Rocket Boys 2022 1961–1967 the establishment of the Indian Space Program
Thalaivii 2021 1965–1983 based on the life of politician and actress J. Jayalalithaa
Khamosh Pani 2003 1970s about a widowed mother and her young son set in a late 1970s village in Punjab, Pakistan which is coming under radical influence
1971 2007 1971 based on the plight of Indian prisoners of war in the aftermath of 1971 war between India and Pakistan
Border 1997 1971 about the Battle of Longewala in the Indo-Pakistani war
Raazi 2018 1971 set during the Indo-Pakistani War
Shershaah 2021 1974–1999 about the life of Vikram Batra, an officer in the Indian Army who served in the Kargil War
Sanju 2018 1981–2016 about the life of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt
Karnan 2021 1995 about the 1995 Kodiyankulam violence in Tamil Nadu
Yatra 2019 2004–2009 about the padayatra done by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy
Manto 2018 1940–1947 based on the life of the prominent Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto
Vikramaditya 1945 375 – c. 415 about King Vikramaditya, who promises to save the princess of Kashmir, appoints Kalidas as court-poet, and his fight against the Shakas (Scythians).
Tukaram 2012 1598/1608–1649/1650 about life of Saint Tukaram
Soorma 2018 1986–2010 about life of hockey player Sandeep Singh
The Sky Is Pink 2019 1996–2015 about life of Aisha Chaudhary, who suffered from severe combined immunodeficiency and pulmonary fibrosis
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl 2020 1984–2000 about the life of Indian Air Force pilot Gunjan Saxena, one of the first Indian female air-force pilots in combat
Veeram 2016 1600 about the life of Chandu Chekavar,warrior of the Chekavar family
Udaykal 1930 1630–1680 about the "military expeditions" of the young 17th century Maratha Emperor Shivaji.
Thomasleeha 1975 52–72 about the life of St. Thomas the Apostle and his missionary work in India
Sher Shivraj 2022 1630–1680 about the life of Maratha king, Shivaji where he defeated Afzal Khan
Santha Shishunala Sharifa 1990 1819–1889 about the life of acclaimed saint poet Shishunala Sharif
Raj Nartaki 1941 1900 set in the early 19th century in the Manipur Kingdom and is about social barriers and a court dancer.
Raag Desh 2017 1945 about the historic 1945 Indian National Army Red Fort Trials.
Pathonpatham Noottandu 2022 1825–1874 based on the life of Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, a warrior who fought against social injustices suffered by the lower caste
Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran 2018 1995–1998 based on the nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by the Indian Army at Pokhran in 1998
Pardesi 1957 1466–1472 based on the travelogues of Russian traveller Afanasy Nikitin, called A Journey Beyond the Three Seas
Nayika Devi: The Warrior Queen 2022 1178 based on Battle of Kasahrada
Mirza Ghalib 1954 1797–1869 Based on the life of well-known poet Mirza Ghalib
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi 2019 1828–1858 Based on life of Rani Lakshmi Bai
Mamangam 2019 1800 about the Mamankam festival of the 18th century in the banks of the Bharathappuzha at Tirunavaya, in the Malabar region
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja 2009 1800 based on the life of Pazhassi Raja, a king who fought against the East India Company in the 18th century.
Jhansi Ki Rani 1953 1828–1858 about the bravery of queen Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi, who took up arms and led her army against the British
Hirkani 2019 1674 based on 'Hirkani', a brave woman and an amazing mother who lived near the Raigad Fort in Maharashtra during the regime Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Har Har Mahadev 2022 1660 based on Battle of Pavan Khind
Guru Da Banda 2018 1670–1716 about the life of Banda Singh Bahadur,Sikh warrior
Fatteshikast 2019 1663 Depicts the historical encounter between Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the subahdar and general of the Mughal army, Shaista Khan at Lal Mahal in Pune
Farzand 2018 1673 about the story of warrior Kondaji Farzand, who along with 60 warriors defeated 2500 soldiers of the enemy to win the Panhala fort in just three and half hours in 1673
Escape from Taliban 2003 1989–1995 based on the story A Kabuliwala's Bengali Wife by Sushmita Banerjee, who fled Afghanistan in 1995 after six years of living there with her Afghan husband
Chaar Sahibzaad 2014 1526–1704 based on the sacrifices of the sons of the 10th Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh—Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh, and Fateh Singh
Bilhanane 1948 1100 based on the story of the Kashmiri poet Bilhana
8/12 2022 1930 based on the historical attack on Writers' Building by three Bengal Volunteers in 1930.
83 2021 1983 Based on the India national cricket team led by Kapil Dev, which won the 1983 Cricket World Cup
The Accidental Prime Minister 2019 2004–2014 Based on the memoir by Indian policy analyst Sanjaya Baru, The Accidental Prime Minister explores the tenure of Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of India
Airlift 2016 1990 based on real life story of a Kuwait-based Malayali businessman Mathunny Mathews
The Attacks of 26/11 2013 2008 based on the book Kasab: The Face of 26/11 by Rommel Rodrigues about Ajmal Kasab perpetrator of the 2008 Mumbai attacks
Azhar 2016 1990–2012 about the life of Indian cricketer and former national team captain Mohammad Azharuddin
Batla House 2019 2008 based on the Batla House encounter case that took place on 19 September 2008
Bawandar 2000 1971–1992 based on the true story of Bhanwari Devi, a rape victim from Rajasthan, India.
Bell Bottom 2021 1980–1990 Inspired from real life hijacking events in India by Khalistani terrorists during the 1980s, such as the Indian Airlines Flight 423, 405 and 421 hijackings
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 2013 1947–1964 Based on the life of Milkha Singh, an Indian athlete and Olympian who was a champion of the Commonwealth Games and two-times 400m champion of the Asian Games
Haseena Parkar 2017 1993–2007 Based on Dawood Ibrahim's sister Haseena Parkar
Aligarh 2015 2010 about the true story of Ramchandra Siras
Aami 2018 1934–2009 Based on the life of poet-author Kamala Das
Anna 2016 1937–2015 Based on the life of Indian social activist Anna Hazare
Daddy 2017 1955–2016 about gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli

Pakistani history

Title Language Release date Time period Notes on setting
Mah e Mir Urdu 2016 1723–1810 Based on the life of the famous poet Mir Taqi Mir
Ghalib Urdu 1961 1797–1869 Based on the life of famous Urdu poet, Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib.
Kesari Hindi 2019 1897 Story of the Battle of Saragarhi
Jinnah Urdu 1998 1900s–1948 Biopic based on the life of Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1876–1948), founder of Pakistan
Ghazi Ilmuddin Shaheed Punjabi 1978 1920s Biopic based on Ilmuddin (1908–1929), a man hanged for the murder of Mahashay Rajpal.
Ghazi Ilmuddin Shaheed Urdu 2002 1920s Biopic based on Ilmuddin (1908–1929), a man hanged for the murder of Mahashay Rajpal.
Manto Urdu 2015 1940s–1950s Biopic based on the life of writer, Saadat Hasan Manto (1912–1955).
Kartar Singh Punjabi 1959 1940s Based on the Partition of India.
Lakhon mein aik 1967 1947 Based on the Partition of India.
Jannat ke Talaash Urdu 1999 1947 Based on the Partition of India.
Shah Urdu 2015 1964–2014 Biopic based on the life of Pakistan's only boxing Olympic medallist, Hussain Shah (born 1964)
Aik Hai Nigar Urdu 2021 1975–2021 Based on three-star general of Pakistan Army, Nigar Johar
Motorcycle Girl Urdu 2018 2010s Based on the life of motorcyclist Zenith Irfa

Sri Lankan history

Sortable table
Title Release date Time period Notes on setting
Vijaya Kuweni 2012 543–505 BC based on the historical tale of Wijaya-Kuveni
Aba 2008 437–367 BC Based on the historical legend of King Pandukabhaya, the first monarch of Anuradhapura kingdom
Mahindagamanaya 2011 250 BC based on arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka
Maharaja Gemunu 2015 161–137 BC based on the odyssey of King Dutugamunu
Aloko Udapadi 2017 103 BC and c. 89–77 BC based on the odyssey of King King Valagamba
Siri Daladagamanaya 2012 300s based on venerated of Tooth relic to Sri Lanka
The God King 1974 473 based on the historical clash between brothers Kashyapa I and Moggalana on Sigiriya Rock
Sri Siddha 2024 1039–1110 based on the Panakaduwa copper plate – When juvenile prince Kirthi (Vijayabahu I) and his family were attacked by the Cholas, a high-ranking general named Budalna rescued the prince and helped the king win the kingdom.
Siri Parakum 2013 1153–1186 based on the historical legend of King Parakramabahu the Great
Vijayaba Kollaya 2019 1521 based on the Vijayabā Kollaya – the assassination of King Vijayabahu VI, the ruler of Kotte, by his three sons in 1521 and plundering the kingdom
Ahelepola Kumarihami 2014 1814 based on the tragic incidence, where King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha slaughtered the entire family of Ehelepola Nilame due to mistaken as a betrayer to the Kandyan Kingdom
Kivulegedara Mohottala 1987 1817–1818 based on freedom fighter Kivulegedara Mohottala and Great Rebellion of 1817–1818
Vera Puran Appu 1979 1812–1848 based on freedom fighter Puran Appu
Gadera 2022 1912–1913 based on an expedition in British Garhwal

East Asia

Chinese and Taiwanese history

Sortable table
Title Release date Time period Notes on setting
Xuan Yuan: The Great Emperor 2016 2698 BC a Chinese drama film about the story of the Yellow Emperor
The Last Woman of Shang 1964 1075–1046 BC a Hong Kong film about Daji, a concubine of King Zhou of Shang
The Grand Substitution 1965 607-581 BC a Hong Kong film based on the play The Orphan of Zhao, set in the Jin state during the Spring and Autumn period
Sacrifice 2010 607–581 BC based on the play The Orphan of Zhao, set in the Jin state during the Spring and Autumn period
Confucius 1940 551–479 BC thought to be a lost film, but was rediscovered in 2001 and restored
Confucius 2010 505–479 BC starring Chow Yun-fat as Confucius
An Empress and the Warriors 2008 475–221 BC c. 475–221 BC set in the Yan kingdom during the Warring states period
Little Big Soldier 2010 475–221 BC an action-comedy film set in the Warring States period, about a war between the Liang and Wey states
A Battle of Wits 2006 375–369 BC set in the reign of King Lie of Zhou
Qu Yuan 1977 339−278 BC c. 339−278 BC about the tragedy of the great Chinese ancient poet Qu Yuan during the Warring States period
The Warring States 2011 316 BC c. 316 BC set in the Warring States period (475–221 BC), loosely based on the rivalry between Sun Bin (d. 316 BC) and Pang Juan (d. 342 BC)
The Emperor's Shadow 1996 259–210 BC about a troubled friendship between Qin Shi Huang and the musician Gao Jianli
Wheat 2009 260 BC the story of women left behind when their husbands went to war during the Battle of Changping
First Emperor: The Man Who Made China 2006 247–210 BC documentary with reenactments of events in the life of Qin Shi Huang
The Emperor and the Assassin 1998 227 BC based on the assassination attempt by Jing Ke on Qin Shi Huang
Hero 2002 227 BC based on the assassination attempt by Jing Ke on Qin Shi Huang
The Great Conqueror's Concubine 1994 206–202 BC a Hong Kong film set in the Chu–Han Contention
White Vengeance 2011 206–202 BC loosely based on the Feast at Hong Gate and events in the Chu–Han Contention
The Last Supper 2012 206–202 BC based on events in the Chu–Han Contention
Dragon Blade 2005 48 BC about a fictional elite fighting force created by the Han dynasty to preserve peace in Northwestern China
Red Cliff 2008 208–209 epic war film based on the Battle of Red Cliffs
The Assassins 2012 210 set in China in the late 210s – the years preceding the end of the Han dynasty
The Lost Bladesman 2011 219 a Hong Kong film loosely based on the story of Guan Yu (d. 219) in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Shadow 2018 220−280 set during the Three Kingdoms period
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon 2008 229 a Hong Kong film about Zhao Yun, loosely based on parts of the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Mulan 2009 c. 386–534 based on the legend of Hua Mulan
Mulan Joins the Army 1939 c. 567–571 based on the legend of Hua Mulan
Xuanzang 2016 602−664 about the life of Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk and scholar during the Tang dynasty
Shaolin Temple 1982 619–621 starring Jet Li, based on the story of Shaolin Temple help Li Shimin
The Empress Wu Tse-tien 1939 650–705 based on the story of Wu Zetian
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame 2010 684–690 a Hong Kong film based on a fictional account of Di Renjie, set in the reign of Wu Zetian
Warriors of Heaven and Earth 2003 700 an action-adventure film set in Xinjiang
Lady of the Dynasty 2015 719−756 about the life of Yang Guifei, one of the Four Beauties of China
The Promise 2005 766–780 set during the end of the Tang dynasty
Avalokitesvara 2013 840−846 set during the end of the Tang dynasty
House of Flying Daggers 2004 859 set during the end of the Tang dynasty
Trilogy of Swordsmanship (Part 2: The Tigress) 1972 860s a Hong Kong film (only Part 2) set during Pang Xun's rebellion
The Heroic Ones 1970 880s a Hong Kong film about Li Keyong's generals
General Stone 1976 880s a Hong Kong film about Li Cunxiao
The Banquet 2006 907−979 set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period
Curse of the Golden Flower 2006 928 set during the Later Tang dynasty
All the King's Men 1983 950s a Taiwanese film about Chai Rong's last days
Great Liao's Empress Dowager 1995 969–982 a Chinese film about Empress Xiao Yanyan
Saving General Yang 2013 980s a Hong Kong film about the Generals of the Yang Family legends
The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter 1983 980s a Hong Kong film about the Generals of the Yang Family legends
The Eight Diagram Cudgel Fighter 1985 980s a Hong Kong film about the Generals of the Yang Family legends
Generals of the Yang Family 1984 980s a Chinese film about the Generals of the Yang Family legends
The Silk Road 1988 1026 a Japanese film about Western Xia
The 14 Amazons 1972 1030s a Hong Kong film about the Genearals of the Yang Family legends
Legendary Amazons 2011 1030s a Chinese film about the Genearals of the Yang Family legends
The Journey to Xixia Empire 1997 1087 a Chinese film about Western Xia (Xixia)
Full River Red 2023 1146 about a mystery case set in the beginning era of Southern Song dynasty
An End to Killing 2013 1200s about the conquest of China by Genghis Khan
Marco Polo 1982 1254–1324 an American-Italian television miniseries about the Venetian explorer who traveled to China and served in the court of Kublai Khan
The Black Rose 1950 1272–1279 English-language film about an English Saxon who travels China and meet a Mongol warlord
Reign of Assassins 2010 1368–1644 an assassin transforms herself to escape her past in Ming China
Brotherhood of Blades 2014 1627 set during the end of the Ming dynasty, under the reign of Chongzhen Emperor
Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield 2017 1627 set during the end of the Ming dynasty, under the reign of Chongzhen Emperor
Fall of Ming 2013 1642 about the fall of the Ming dynasty
The Sino-Dutch War 1661 2000 1645–62 based on the story of Koxinga (1624–1662), with the focus on the Siege of Fort Zeelandia
The Palace 2013 1661–1722 set during the reign of Kangxi Emperor
The Opium War 1997 1839–42 historical epic film about the First Opium War, told through the eyes of Lin Zexu and Charles Elliot
The Empress Dowager 1975 1835–1908 a Hong Kong film about Empress Dowager Cixi
Li Lianying: The Imperial Eunuch 1991 1848–1911 the Qing dynasty eunuch Li Lianying
The Warlords 2007 1850–64 set in the Qing dynasty during the Taiping Rebellion
Fearless 2006 1868–1910 a biographical film about late Qing dynasty martial artist Huo Yuanjia
The Last Tempest 1976 1875−1908 a Hong Kong film about the life of Guangxu Emperor
The Woman Knight of Mirror Lake 2011 1875–1907 a biographical film about revolutionary Qiu Jin
The Sino-Japanese War at Sea 1894 2012 1877−1895 based on the events of the First Sino-Japanese War
Forever Enthralled 2008 1894–1961 biographical film about Peking opera artist Mei Lanfang
1895 2008 1895 a Taiwanese film about the Japanese invasion of Taiwan and the Hakka resistance
Blade of Fury 1993 1898 set during the Hundred Days' Reform
Empire of Silver 2009 1899–1901 a Hong Kong film set in the Qing dynasty during the Boxer Rebellion
55 Days at Peking 1963 1900 an American film starring Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner and David Niven and set during the Boxer Rebellion
Red River Valley 1997 1903–1904 about the British expedition to Tibet
The Tokyo Trial 2006 1904–1973 presenting the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal from the point of view of Mei Ju-ao
The Last Emperor 1987 1906–1967 an Academy Award winning film about China's last emperor Puyi
Kawashima Yoshiko 1990 1907−1948 a Hong Kong film based on the life of Yoshiko Kawashima, a Manchu princess who was brought up as a Japanese and served as a spy in the service of the Japanese Kwantung Army and Manchukuo during the Second World War
Road to Dawn 2007 1910 about Sun Yat-sen's life in Penang from July to December 1910
Magnificent 72 1980 1911 about Lin Juemin and the Second Guangzhou Uprising, with a brief scene of Qiu Jin's arrest in 1907
Bodyguards and Assassins 2009 1911 a Hong Kong film set in Colonial Hong Kong near the end of the Qing dynasty. The events in the film led to the Wuchang Uprising
The Battle for the Republic of China 1981 1911 a Taiwanese film about the Xinhai Revolution
1911 2011 1911 about the Xinhai Revolution
The Soong Sisters 1997 1911–1949 about the Soong sisters
The Founding of a Party 2011 1921 about the formation of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921
1921 2012 1921 about the formation of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921
Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch 1988 1924 a Hong Kong film about the Last Eunuch in China
The Founding of an Army 2017 1927 about the founding of the People's Liberation Army
Night in Jinling 1985 1927−1931 about the Kuomintang turn against the Chinese Communist Party and the Shanghai massacre
Bridge 1949 1927–1950 the Chinese Civil War
Yangtse Incident 1957 1927–1950 a British film about the Royal Navy frigate HMS Amethyst getting caught up in the Chinese Civil War
Assembly 2007 1927–1950 epic war film set in the Chinese Civil War
The Bugle from Gutian 2019 1929 based on the 1929 Gutian Congress
Seediq Bale 2011 1930 film depicting the plight of Taiwanese aborigines of the Seediq tribe during the period of Taiwan under Japanese rule, and their role in the Wushe Incident
Cliff Walkers 2021 1930s set in the Imperial Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo in the 1930s before World War II erupts
Red Sorghum 1987 1930s set during the eastern province of Shandong during the Second Sino-Japanese War
A Murder Beside Yanhe River 2014 1933–1937 based on the murder case of Huang Kegong, who was a general of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army
7-Man Army 1976 1933 a Hong Kong film depicting the Defense of the Great Wall
The National Anthem 1999 1935 about the composition of "The March of the Volunteers"
The Secret of China 2019 1936 about the communist journalist Edgar Snow meets Mao Zedong
The Xi'an Incident 1981 1936 about the Xi'an Incident
Eight Hundred Heroes 1976 1937 a Taiwanese film depicting the Defense of Sihang Warehouse
The Eight Hundred 2020 1937 the Defense of Sihang Warehouse
Black Sun: The Nanking Massacre 1994 1937 a Hong Kong film about the Nanking Massacre
Don't Cry, Nanking 1995 1937 the Nanking Massacre
City of Life and Death 2009 1937 dealing with the Battle of Nanjing and its aftermath, the Nanking Massacre
John Rabe 2009 1937 a biographical film about John Rabe and his experiences in the Nanking Massacre
The Flowers of War 2011 1937 about a group of escapees caught up in the 1937 Battle of Nanking
Heroes of the Eastern Skies 1977 1937–1938 a Taiwanese film based on the true story of a small group of Chinese flying aces in 1937 at the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War
The Spring River Flows East 1947 1937–1945 the trials and tribulations of a Chinese family through the Second Sino-Japanese War
Tunnel War 1965 1937–1945 about a small town defending itself by use of a network of tunnels during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Men Behind the Sun 1988 1937–1945 a Hong Kong film depicting war atrocities committed by the Japanese Unit 731 during World War II
On the Mountain of Tai Hang 2005 1937–1945 about the Eighth Route Army, set in the Second Sino-Japanese War
The Children of Huang Shi 2008 1938 about George Hogg leading 60 orphans across China in an effort to save them from conscription during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Hong Kong 1941 1983 1941–1945 a Hong Kong film set in Japanese-occupied Hong Kong during World War II
Phurbu & Tenzin 2014 1944–1980 about the two monks in Tibet
Hundred Regiments Offensive 2015 1945 about the end of the Second Sino-Japanese war
The Crossing 2014 1945–1949 about the Second Sino-Japanese war and the siking of Taiping.
A City of Sadness 1989 1947 Taiwanese historical drama film sets immediately after WWII in the late 1940s. The film was the first to depict the February 28 Incident of 1947, an anti-government uprising that was quelled.
Decisive Engagement: The Liaoxi-Shenyang Campaign 1991 1948 about the Chinese Civil War (Liaoshen Campaign, Huaihai Campaign and Pingjin Campaign)
Fight for Nanjing, Shanghai and Hangzhou 1999 1949 about the war between the Communist troops and the Kuomintang troops in east China during the Chinese Civil War
The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest 1998 1949 about the war between the Communist troops and the KMT troops in southwest China during the Chinese Civil War
The Founding of a Republic 2009 1949 about the founding of the People's Republic of China
Mao Zedong 1949 2019 1949 about the founding of the People's Republic of China
Where the Wind Settles 2015 1949−2010 a Taiwanese film about the lives of several mainland Chinese people who resettled in Taiwan near the end of the Chinese Civil War
Septet: The Story of Hong Kong 2020 1950−2020 a Hong Kong film divided into seven stories, each corresponding to a decade in Hong Kong's history, told from the view of ordinary people
Sniper 2022 1950−1953 based on a fictionalized account of the real life story of Zhang Taofang, a Chinese sniper fighting American soldiers in the Korean War
The Battle at Lake Changjin 2021 1950 about the Chinese People's Volunteer Army during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War
The Battle at Lake Changjin II 2022 1950 about the Chinese People's Volunteer Army during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War
The Sacrifice 2020 1953 about the Chinese People's Volunteer Army launching its last large-scale campaign during the Korean War, the Jincheng Campaign
24 City 2008 1958–1980 A docudrama film about the generations of people who worked in state factories during the industrialization and were demolished during the modernization of China.
Coming Home 2014 1966–1976 set during the Cultural Revolution in China.
Aftershock 2010 1976–2010 the aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake
Deng Xiaoping 2003 1978 about Deng Xiaoping and the 3rd plenary session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party

Japanese history

Samurai cinema and Jidai-geki films

Main articles: Samurai cinema and Jidaigeki
See also: List of ninja films

Jidai-geki 時代劇 is a genre of film, television, and theatre in Japan. Literally "period dramas", they are most often set during the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. Some, however, are set much earlier—Portrait of Hell, for example, is set during the late Heian period—and the early Meiji era is also a popular setting. Jidaigeki show the lives of the samurai, farmers, craftsmen, and merchants of their time. Jidaigeki films are sometimes referred to as chambara movies, a word meaning "sword fight", though chambara is more accurately a subgenre of jidaigeki, which equates to historical period drama. In Japan, the term chanbara (チャンバラ), also commonly spelled "chambara", meaning "sword fighting" movies,[7] denotes the genre called samurai cinema in English, and is roughly equivalent to western cowboy and swashbuckler films. Jidaigeki may refer to a story set in a historical period, though not necessarily dealing with a samurai character or depicting swordplay. Jidaigeki rely on an established set of dramatic conventions including the use of makeup, language, catchphrases, and plotlines.

Title Director Notable cast Release date Time period Notes
Kōchiyama to Nao-zamurai Ichitarō Kataoka, Matsunosuke Onoe, Kijaku Ōtani 1916 Based on the play of the same name.
Nao-zamurai Jiro Yoshino Shirogoro Sawamura 1922 Based on the play of the same name.
A Diary of Chuji's Travels Daisuke Itō Denjirō Ōkōchi 1927 Awards: 1 Kinema Junpo Award
Sword of Penitence Yasujirō Ozu Saburo Azuma, Kunimatsu Ogawa, Kanji Kawahara, Shoichi Nodera 1927
Jobless Samurai Masahiro Makino Kōmei Minami, Tōichirō Negishi, Tsuyako Okajima 1928 Awards: 1 Kinema Junpo Award
Nao-zamurai Kintarō Inoue Chōjirō Hayashi, Ryūnosuke Tsukigata, Kōkichi Takada, Kinuko Wakamizu 1930 Based on the play of the same name.
Jirokichi the Rat Daisuke Itō Denjirō Ōkōchi, Naoe Fushimi, Nobuko Fushimi 1931
Chūshingura Zenpen: Akōkyō no maki Teinosuke Kinugasa Tomio Aoki, Juzaburo Bando, Kōtarō Bandō 1932
Chūshingura – Ninjō-hen, Fukushū-hen Daisuke Itō Shinpachirō Asaka, Satoko Date, Sannosuke Fujikawa 1934
The Million Ryo Pot Sadao Yamanaka Denjirō Ōkōchi, Kiyozo, Kunitarō Sawamura 1935
The Avenging Ghost of Yukinojo, Part 1 Teinosuke Kinugasa Kazuo Hasegawa, Tokusaburo Arashi, Akiko Chihaya 1935
The Avenging Ghost of Yukinojo, Part 2 Teinosuke Kinugasa Kazuo Hasegawa, Tokusaburo Arashi, Akiko Chihaya 1935
Daibosatsu tōge: dai-ippen – Kōgen itto-ryū no maki Hiroshi Inagaki Fujiko Fukamizu, Ranko Hanai, Takako Irie 1935
The Avenging Ghost of Yukinojo, Part 3 Teinosuke Kinugasa Kazuo Hasegawa, Tokusaburo Arashi, Akiko Chihaya 1936
Daibosatsu tōge: Suzuka-yama no maki – Mibu Shimabara no maki Hiroshi Inagaki Fujiko Fukamizu, Kobunji Ichikawa, Momonosuke Ichikawa 1936
Humanity and Paper Balloons Sadao Yamanaka Chojuro Kawarazaki, Kanemon Nakamura, Shizue Yamagishi 1937 18th century
Chikemuri Takadanobaba Hiroshi Inagaki, Masahiro Makino Tsumasaburō Bandō, Tokuma Dan, Komako Hara 1937
Chushingura, Part One Kajirō Yamamoto Denjirō Ōkōchi, Kazuo Hasegawa, Yatarō Kurokawa 1939 1701
Chushingura, Part Two Kajirō Yamamoto Denjirō Ōkōchi, Kazuo Hasegawa, Yatarō Kurokawa 1939 1701
Singing Lovebirds Masahiro Makino Chiezō Kataoka, Takashi Shimura 1939
A Color Print of Edo Kazuo Mori Shinpachirō Asaka, Utaemon Ichikawa, Yaeko Kumoi 1939
The 47 Ronin Kenji Mizoguchi Chojuro Kawarasaki, Kanemon Nakamura, Kunitaro Kawarazaki, Yoshizaburo Arashi, Daisuke Katō 1941 1701–1703 Two-part film depicting the famous actions of the Forty-seven rōnin in 1701–1703. Part 2 was released on 1942.02.11.
Kikuchi sembon-yari: Shidonî tokubetsu kōgeki-tai Tomiyasu Ikeda, Sentarō Shirai Kanzo Yoshii, Utaemon Ichikawa, Kusuo Abe 1944
A Tale of Archery at the Sanjusangendo Mikio Naruse Kazuo Hasegawa, Kinuyo Tanaka, Sensho Ichikawa 1945
Utamaro and His Five Women Kenji Mizoguchi Minosuke Bandō, Kinuyo Tanaka, Kōtarō Bandō 1946 1800s
Surōnin makaritōru Daisuke Itō Tsumasaburō Bandō, Ryūtarō Ōtomo, Kusuo Abe 1947
Ore wa yojinbo Hiroshi Inagaki Chiezō Kataoka, Ryūnosuke Tsukigata, Achako Hanabishi 1950
Senritsu Hideo Sekigawa Utaemon Ichikawa, Haruyo Ichikawa 1950
Wakasama zamurai torimonochō: nazo no nōmen yashiki Nobuo Nakagawa Yatarō Kurokawa, Denjirō Ōkōchi, Seizaburō Kawazu 1950
Rashomon Akira Kurosawa Toshirō Mifune, Masayuki Mori, Machiko Kyō, Takashi Shimura 1950 12th century
Kanketsu Sasaki Kojirō: Ganryū-jima kettō Hiroshi Inagaki Tomoemon Otani, Toshirō Mifune, Hisako Yamane 1951
Five Men of Edo Daisuke Itō Tsumasaburō Bandō, Utaemon Ichikawa, Isuzu Yamada 1951
Vendetta of a Samurai Kazuo Mori Toshirō Mifune, Yuriko Hamada, Takashi Shimura 1952 early 17th century Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award, 1 Mainichi Film Concours
The Life of Oharu Kenji Mizoguchi Kinuyo Tanaka, Tsukie Matsuura, Ichirō Sugai, Toshirō Mifune, Takashi Shimura 1952 17th century
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail Akira Kurosawa Denjirō Ōkōchi, Susumu Fujita, Kenichi Enomoto 1952 1185
Sword for Hire Hiroshi Inagaki Rentarō Mikuni, Danshirō Ichikawa, Shirley Yamaguchi 1952
Tsukigata Hanpeita Kokichi Uchide Hiroshi Aoyama, Masao Aoyama, Michiyo Azuma 1952
Ugetsu Monogatari Kenji Mizoguchi Masayuki Mori, Machiko Kyō, Kinuyo Tanaka 1953 1598–1600 c. 1598–1600 Based on the novel of the same name, set in the Ōmi Province during the Azuchi-Momoyama period
Gate of Hell Teinosuke Kinugasa Kazuo Hasegawa, Machiko Kyō 1953 1159 Awards: 2 Academy Awards, 1 Golden Leopard, 1 New York Film Critics Circle Award, Palme d'Or,
Sansho the Bailiff Kenji Mizoguchi Kinuyo Tanaka, Yoshiaki Hanayagi, Kyōko Kagawa, Eitarō Shindō 1954 794–1185 Awards: 1 Silver Lion
Seven Samurai Akira Kurosawa Takashi Shimura, Toshirō Mifune 1954 1586 Awards: 2 Jussi Awards, 1 Mainichi Film Award, 1 Silver Lion
Akō gishi Ryohei Arai Yatarō Kurokawa 1954
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Rentarō Mikuni 1954 1600 Awards: 1 Academy Award
The Crucified Lovers Kenji Mizoguchi Kazuo Hasegawa, Kyōko Kagawa, Eitarō Shindō 1954 Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award
The Playful Fox and the Thousand Cherry Trees Torajiro Saito Takashi Wada, Yumiko Hasegawa 1954
Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji Tomu Uchida Chiezo Kataoka, Ryūnosuke Tsukigata, Chizuru Kitagawa 1955 1603–1868 Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Kōji Tsuruta 1955
The Lone Journey Hiroshi Inagaki Ryō Ikebe, Mariko Okada, Akihiko Hirata 1955
Tales of the Taira Clan Kenji Mizoguchi Narutoshi Hayashi, Raizō Ichikawa, Tatsuya Ishiguro 1955 Awards: 1 Mainichi Film Concours
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Kōji Tsuruta 1956
Akō Rōshi: Ten no Maki, Chi no Maki Sadatsugu Matsuda Harue Akagi, Ryūtarō Aoyagi, Ushio Akashi 1956 1701
Yagyū Ren'yasai: Hidentsuki Kageshō Katsuhiko Tasaka Raizo Ichikawa, Shintaro Katsu, Yataro Kurokawa, Ryosuke Kagawa 1956 1603–1868
Ghost of Hanging in Utusunomiya Nobuo Nakagawa Hiroshi Ogasawara, Akemi Tsukushi, Tetsurō Tamba 1956
Dandy Sashichi Detective Story: Six Famous Beauties Nobuo Nakagawa Tomisaburō Wakayama, Keiko Hibino, Misako Uji 1956
Throne of Blood Akira Kurosawa Toshirō Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Takashi Shimura 1957 16th century
The Lord Takes a Bride Sadatsugu Matsuda Harue Akagi, Ushio Akashi 1957
Yagyu Secret Scrolls Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Kōji Tsuruta, Yoshiko Kuga, Mariko Okada, Denjiro Okochi, Kyoko Kagawa 1957
Akadō Suzunosuke: Tsukiyo no kaijin Bin Kado Masaji Umeiwa, Narutoshi Hayashi, Tamao Nakamura 1957
Adauchi sōzenji baba Masahiro Makino Ryūtarō Ōtomo 1957
Souls in the Moonlight Tomu Uchida Chiezo Kataoka, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Yumiko Hasegawa 1957 Awards: 1 Mainichi Film Concours
Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate Yuzo Kawashima Frankie Sakai, Yōko Minamida, Sachiko Hidari, Yujiro Ishihara 1957 1853–1867 Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award, 1 Kinema Junpo Award, 1 Mainichi Film Concours
A Matter of Valor Tatsuo Osone Ennosuke Ichikawa, Danko Ichikawa, Yaeko Mizutani, Kōkichi Takada 1957
Akadō Suzunosuke: Shingetsu-to no yōki Bin Kado Masaji Umeiwa, Narutoshi Hayashi, Tamao Nakamura 1957
The Prodigal Son Hiromichi Horikawa Nakamura Senjaku II, Nakamura Ganjirō II, Eiko Miyoshi 1957
Demon Crusader Kenji Misumi Raizō Ichikawa, Yōko Uraji, Seizaburō Kawazu 1957 Based on the novel of the same name.
The Idle Vassal: House of the Snake Princess Yasushi Sasaki Utaemon Ichikawa 1957
Yagyu Secret Scrolls, Part II Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Kōji Tsuruta, Yoshiko Kuga, Mariko Okada, Nobuko Otowa, Eijirō Tōno 1958
Chushingura Kunio Watanabe Kazuo Hasegawa, Shintaro Katsu, Kōji Tsuruta, Raizō Ichikawa, Machiko Kyō 1958
Suzunosuke Akado: The Birdman with Three Eyes Kazuo Mori Masaji Umeiwa, Narutoshi Hayashi, Yatarō Kurokawa 1958
Detective Hibari: Case of the Golden Hairpins Tadashi Sawashima Hibari Misora, Kōtarō Satomi, Chiyonosuke Azuma 1958
The Ballad of Narayama Keisuke Kinoshita Kinuyo Tanaka, Teiji Takahashi, Yuuko Mochizuki 1958 Awards: 3 Kinema Junpo Awards, 3 Mainichi Film Concours
The 7th Secret Courier for Edo Kazuo Mori Raizo Ichikawa, Michiko Ai, Tokiko Mita 1958
The Barbarian and the Geisha John Huston John Wayne, Eiko Ando, Sam Jaffe, Sō Yamamura 1958 1856
The Hidden Fortress Akira Kurosawa Toshirō Mifune, Misa Uehara, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara 1958 16th century Awards: 1 Silver Bear Award
Life of an Expert Swordsman Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Yoko Tsukasa 1959
Hawk of the North Toshikazu Kōno Kinnosuke Nakamura, Keiko Ogawa, Yoshiko Sakuma 1959
The Ghost of Yotsuya Nobuo Nakagawa Shigeru Amachi, Noriko Kitazawa, Katsuko Wakasugi 1959
Kagerō Ezu Teinosuke Kinugasa Raizō Ichikawa, Fujiko Yamamoto, Osamu Takizawa 1959
Shinsengumi: Last Days of the Shogunate Ko Sasaki Chiezo Kataoka, Tomisaburō Wakayama, Yatarō Kurokawa 1960
The Story of Osaka Castle Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Kyōko Kagawa, Akihiko Hirata 1961 1610 c. 1610 Set about a decade after the battle of Sekigahara
Samurai Hawk Nobuo Nakagawa Utaemon Ichikawa, Ryūji Shinagawa, Atsushi Watanabe 1961
Akō Rōshi Sadatsugu Matsuda Kusuo Abe, Kyōko Aoyama, Chiyonosuke Azuma 1961
Yojimbo Akira Kurosawa Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yoko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada 1961 1860
Miyamoto Musashi Tomu Uchida Kinnosuke Nakamura, Akiko Kazami, Wakaba Irie 1961
Hangyakuji Daisuke Itō Kinnosuke Nakamura, Haruko Sugimura, Chiyonosuke Azuma 1961 Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award, 1 Mainichi Film Concours
Sanjuro Akira Kurosawa Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Keiju Kobayashi, Yūzō Kayama 1962 Sequel to the 1961 film Yojimbo.
In Search of Mother Tai Katō Kinnosuke Nakamura, Hiroki Matsukata, Michiyo Kogure 1962
Shiro Amakusa, the Christian Rebel Nagisa Oshima Hashizō Ōkawa, Ryūtarō Ōtomo, Satomi Oka 1962
Princess Sen and Hideyori Masahiro Makino Hibari Misora, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Ken Takakura, Jūshirō Konoe 1962 1615–1616
The Tale of Zatoichi Kenji Misumi Shintaro Katsu, Masayo Banri, Ryuzo Shimada, Hajime Mitamura, Shigeru Amachi 1962
Harakiri Masaki Kobayashi Tatsuya Nakadai, Rentarō Mikuni, Shima Iwashita, Akira Ishihama 1962 1619–1630
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues Kazuo Mori Shintarō Katsu, Yoshie Mizutani, Masayo Banri, Tomisaburō Wakayama 1962
Chushingura Hiroshi Inagaki Matsumoto Hakuō I, Yūzō Kayama, Toshirō Mifune, Chūsha Ichikawa, Akira Kubo 1962 1701–1703 Another film about the Forty-seven rōnin.
Miyamoto Musashi: Showdown at Hannyazaka Heights Tomu Uchida Kinnosuke Nakamura, Wakaba Irie, Isao Kimura 1962
Shinobi no Mono Satsuo Yamamoto Raizō Ichikawa, Yūnosuke Itō, Shiho Fujimura 1962 1575–1581 Based on the novel of the same name.
Shinsengumi Chronicles Kenji Misumi Shigeru Amachi, San'emon Arashi, Saburō Date 1963
An Actor's Revenge Kon Ichikawa Kazuo Hasegawa, Fujiko Yamamoto 1963 Remake of the 1935 film An Actor's Revenge.
Escape from Hell Kazuo Inoue Keiji Sada, Mariko Okada, Takahiro Tamura 1963
The New Tale of Zatoichi Tokuzo Tanaka Shintaro Katsu, Mikiko Tsubouchi 1963
Sengoku Yaro Kihachi Okamoto Yūzō Kayama, Yuriko Hoshi, Makoto Satō 1963
Castle of Owls Eiichi Kudō Ryūtarō Ōtomo, Minoru Ōki, Hizuru Takachiho 1963
Cruel Tales of Bushido Tadashi Imai Kinnosuke Nakamura, Eijirō Tōno, Kyōko Kishida 1963
Bloody Record of the Shinsengumi Shigehiro Ozawa Utaemon Ichikawa, Takeshi Katō, Kei Satō 1963
Brave Records of the Sanada Clan Tai Kato Kinnosuke Nakamura, Misako Watanabe 1963
Seventeen Ninja Yasuto Hasegawa Kōtarō Satomi, Jūshirō Konoe, Yuriko Mishima 1963
Zatoichi the Fugitive Tokuzo Tanaka Shintaro Katsu, Miwa Takada, Sachiko Murase 1963
Shinobi no Mono 2: Vengeance Satsuo Yamamoto Raizō Ichikawa, Shiho Fujimura 1963 1582–1594 Based on the novel of the same name.
Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel Against Yagyu Tomu Uchida Kinnosuke Nakamura, Wakaba Irie, Isao Kimura 1963
The Great Bandit Senkichi Taniguchi Toshirō Mifune, Tadao Nakamaru, Mie Hama 1963
Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Chinese Jade Tokuzō Tanaka Raizō Ichikawa, Tamao Nakamura, Shinobu Araki 1963
Zatoichi on the Road Kimiyoshi Yasuda Shintarō Katsu, Shiho Fujimura, Ryūzō Shimada 1963
Thirteen Assassins Eiichi Kudo Chiezo Kataoka, Kō Nishimura, Ryōhei Uchida 1963
Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection Kazuo Mori Raizō Ichikawa, Ayako Wakao, Saburō Date 1963 1595–1600 Based on the novel of the same name.
Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel at Ichijoji Tomu Uchida Kinnosuke Nakamura, Wakaba Irie, Isao Kimura 1964
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Adventure Kenji Misumi Raizō Ichikawa, Kōichi Aihara, San'emon Arashi 1964
Warrior of the Wind Tai Katō Hashizō Ōkawa, Hiroko Sakuramachi, Naoko Kubo 1964
The Third Ninja Toshikazu Kōno Kōtarō Satomi, Kōji Nanbara, Kei Satō, Kikuko Hōjō, Misako Watanabe 1964 1572
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold Kazuo Ikehiro Shintarō Katsu, Shōgo Shimada, Mikiko Tsubouchi 1964
Three Outlaw Samurai Hideo Gosha Tetsurō Tamba, Isamu Nagato, Mikijirō Hira, Yoshiko Kayama 1964
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Full Circle Killing Kimiyoshi Yasuda Raizō Ichikawa, Kyooko Azuma, Ryonosuke Azuma 1964
Assassination Masahiro Shinoda Tetsurō Tamba, Shima Iwashita 1964
Shinobi no Mono 4: Siege Tokuzo Tanaka Raizō Ichikawa, Saburō Date, Midori Isomura 1964 1614–1615
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Seduction Kazuo Ikehiro Raizō Ichikawa, Michiko Ai, Akira Amemiya 1964
Fight, Zatoichi, Fight Kenji Misumi Shintarō Katsu, Nobuo Kaneko, Gen Kimura 1964
Adauchi Tadashi Imai Kinnosuke Nakamura, Takahiro Tamura, Tetsurō Tamba 1964
Onibaba Kaneto Shindo Nobuko Otowa, Jitsuko Yoshimura, Kei Satō 1964
The Scarlet Camellia Yoshitarō Nomura Shima Iwashita, Yoshi Katō, Sachiko Hidari 1964 Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award
Adventures of Zatoichi Kimiyoshi Yasuda Shintarō Katsu, Miwa Takada, Eiko Taki 1964
Bakumatsu zankoku monogatari Tai Katō Sumiko Fuji, Chōichirō Kawarasaki, Isao Kimura 1964 Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award
Shinobi no Mono 5: Mist Saizo Returns Kazuo Ikehiro Raizō Ichikawa, Yukiko Fuji, Shiho Fujimura 1964 1616
Samurai Assassin Kihachi Okamoto Toshirō Mifune, Koshiro Matsumoto, Yunosuke Ito, Michiyo Aratama 1965
Kwaidan Masaki Kobayashi Rentarō Mikuni, Keiko Kishi, Michiyo Aratama, Misako Watanabe, Tatsuya Nakadai 1965
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Fire Kenji Misumi Raizō Ichikawa, Tamao Nakamura, Sanae Nakahara 1965
Red Beard Akira Kurosawa Toshirō Mifune, Yūzō Kayama 1965
Zatoichi's Revenge Akira Inoue Shintarō Katsu, Norihei Miki, Mikiko Tsubouchi 1965
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Satan Kimiyoshi Yasuda Raizō Ichikawa, Michiko Saga, Machiko Hasegawa 1965
Shinobi no Mono 6: Iga Mansion Kazuo Mori Raizō Ichikawa, Kaoru Yachigusa, Isao Yamagata 1965 1637–1651
Samurai Spy Masahiro Shinoda Kōji Takahashi 1965
Muhōmatsu no isshō Kenji Misumi Shintarō Katsu, Ineko Arima, Ken Utsui 1965
Yotsuya Kaidan Shirō Toyoda Tatsuya Nakadai, Mariko Okada, Junko Ikeuchi 1965
Miyamoto Musashi: Musashi vs. Kojiro Tomu Uchida Kinnosuke Nakamura, Ken Takakura, Wakaba Irie 1965
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man Kazuo Mori Shintarō Katsu, Kanbi Fujiyama, Eiko Taki 1965
Sword of the Beast Hideo Gosha Mikijirō Hira, Go Kato 1965
Akuto Kaneto Shindō Eitarō Ozawa, Kyoko Kishida 1965
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert Kenji Misumi Shintarō Katsu, Mikio Narita, Chizu Hayashi 1965
Shinobi no Mono 7: Mist Saizo Strikes Back Kazuo Mori Raizō Ichikawa, Shiho Fujimura, Yūko Kusunoki 1966 1616
The Sword of Doom Kihachi Okamoto Tatsuya Nakadai, Yūzō Kayama, Michiyo Aratama, Toshirō Mifune 1966 Based on the novel of the same name.
Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Mask of the Princess Akira Inoue Raizō Ichikawa, Yaeko Mizutani, Ichirō Nakatani 1966
Kutsukake Tokijiro: Yukyo Ippiki Tai Katō Kinnosuke Nakamura, Kiyoshi Atsumi, Junko Ikeuchi 1966
Daimajin Kimiyoshi Yasuda Miwa Takada, Yoshihiko Aoyama, Jun Fujimaki 1966
Zatoichi's Vengeance Tokuzō Tanaka Shintarō Katsu, Shigeru Amachi, Jun Hamamura 1966
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage Kazuo Ikehiro Shintarō Katsu, Michiyo Ōkusu, Kunie Tanaka 1966
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Villainy Kenji Misumi Raizō Ichikawa, Shigeru Amachi, Shiho Fujimura 1966
Samurai Wolf Hideo Gosha Isao Natsuyagi, Ryōhei Uchida, Junko Miyazono 1966
The Blazing Sword Hirokazu Ichimura Tetsuko Kobayashi, Asahi Kurizuka, Shun'ya Wazaki 1966
Shinobi no Mono 8: Three Enemies Kazuo Ikehiro Raizō Ichikawa, Manami Fuji, Michiyo Ōkusu 1966 1570–1573
The Magic Serpent Tetsuya Yamauchi Hiroki Matsukata, Tomoko Ogawa, Ryūtarō Ōtomo 1966
Band of Ninja Nagisa Oshima Yoshiyuki Fukuda, Toshirō Hayano, Hikaru Hayashi 1967
Bakumatsu: Tenamonya daizōdō Kengo Furusawa Makoto Fujita, Minoru Shiraki, Kei Tani 1967
Samurai Wolf II Hideo Gosha Isao Natsuyagi, Ichirō Nakatani, Bin Amatsu 1967
Samurai Rebellion Masaki Kobayashi Toshirō Mifune, Yoko Tsukasa 1967
Sleepy Eyes of Death: A Trail of Traps Kazuo Ikehiro Raizō Ichikawa, Nobuo Kaneko 1967
Zatoichi the Outlaw Satsuo Yamamoto Shintarō Katsu, Rentarō Mikuni, Kō Nishimura 1967
Zenigata Heiji Tetsuya Yamauchi Kazuo Funaki, Asao Koike, Akitake Kōno 1967
The Wife of Seishu Hanaoka Yasuzō Masumura Raizō Ichikawa, Ayako Wakao, Hideko Takamine 1967 Based on the novel of the same name.
Eleven Samurai Eiichi Kudo Isao Natsuyagi, Kōtarō Satomi, Kōji Nanbara 1967
Zatoichi Challenged Kenji Misumi Shintarō Katsu, Jūshirō Konoe, Miwa Takada 1967
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Hell Is a Woman Tokuzō Tanaka Raizō Ichikawa, Miwa Takada, Yaeko Mizutani 1968
Kuroneko Kaneto Shindō Kichiemon Nakamura, Nobuko Otowa, Kei Satō 1968 Awards: 2 Mainichi Film Concours
Sleepy Eyes of Death: In the Spider's Lair Kimiyoshi Yasuda Raizō Ichikawa, Mako Midori, Maka Sarijo 1968
The Saga of Tanegashima Kazuo Mori Rick Jason, Ayako Wakao, Eijirō Tōno, Shiho Fujimura, Jun Fujimaki 1968 1543
Botan Dōrō Satsuo Yamamoto Miyoko Akaza, Kōjirō Hongō, Hajime Koshikawa 1968 Based on the short story of the same name.
Kill! Kihachi Okamoto Tatsuya Nakadai, Etsushi Takahashi, Naoko Kubo, Shigeru Kōyama 1968
The Silent Stranger Luigi Vanzi Tony Anthony, Kenji Ohara, Rita Mura, Lloyd Battista 1968 1865
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Castle Menagerie Kazuo Ikehiro Raizō Ichikawa, Naoko Kubo, Shiho Fujimura 1969
Samurai Banners Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Kinnosuke Yorozuya, Akihiko Hirata 1969
Crimson Bat, the Blind Swordswoman Sadatsugu Matsuda Yōko Matsuyama, Chizuko Arai, Jun Tatara 1969
Goyokin Hideo Gosha Tatsuya Nakadai, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Tetsurō Tamba 1969 Awards: 2 Mainichi Film Concours
Double Suicide Masahiro Shinoda Kichiemon Nakamura, Shima Iwashita 1969 Based on the play of the same name.
The Devil's Temple Kenji Misumi Shintarō Katsu, Hideko Takamine, Michiyo Aratama 1969
Hitokiri Hideo Gosha Shintaro Katsu, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yukio Mishima 1969
Portrait of Hell Shirō Toyoda Hideyo Amamoto, Yōko Naitō, Tatsuya Nakadai 1969
Red Lion Kihachi Okamoto Toshirō Mifune, Shima Iwashita 1969 1867–1868
Tengu-to Satsuo Yamamoto Tatsuya Nakadai, Ayako Wakao, Gō Katō 1969
Shinsengumi Tadashi Sawashima Toshirō Mifune, Keiju Kobayashi, Kinya Kitaoji, Rentarō Mikuni, Yoko Tsukasa 1969
The Fort of Death Eiichi Kudō Kanjūrō Arashi, Hideo Fujimoto, Teruo Fujinaga 1969
Zatoichi meets Yojimbo Kihachi Okamoto Toshirō Mifune, Shintarō Katsu, Ayako Wakao 1970
Mission: Iron Castle Kazuo Mori Hiroki Matsukata, Ryūnosuke Minegishi, Kōjirō Hongō, Michiyo Yasuda, Yōko Namikawa, Shiho Fujimura 1970 1582
Bakumatsu Daisuke Itō Kinnosuke Nakamura, Toshirō Mifune, Keiju Kobayashi 1970
The Ambush: Incident at Blood Pass Hiroshi Inagaki Toshirō Mifune, Yūjirō Ishihara, Ruriko Asaoka 1970
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival Kenji Misumi Shintarō Katsu, Reiko Ōhara, Pîtâ 1970
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman Kimiyoshi Yasuda Shintarō Katsu, Yu Wang, Watako Hamaki 1971 Awards: 1 Mainichi Film Concours
Miyamoto Musashi: Swords of Death Tomu Uchida Kinnosuke Nakamura, Rentarō Mikuni, Teruo Matsuyama 1971 Awards: 1 Golden Charybdis
En toiu onna Tadashi Imai Shinjirō Ehara, Shima Iwashita, Yoshi Katō 1971
Inochi bō ni furō (Inn of Evil) Masaki Kobayashi Tatsuya Nakadai, Komaki Kurihara, Wakako Sakai 1971 Awards: 5 Mainichi Film Concours, 1 Taormina International Film Festival Award
Silence Masahiro Shinoda David Lampson, Mako Iwamatsu, Tetsurō Tanba, Shima Iwashita, Yoshiko Mita, Eiji Okada, Rokkō Toura, Noboru Matsuhashi 1971 1638 Based on the novel of the same name.
Zatoichi at Large Kazuo Mori Shintarō Katsu, Rentarō Mikuni, Hisaya Morishige 1972 Awards: 1 Mainichi Film Concours
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance Kenji Misumi Tomisaburō Wakayama, Fumio Watanabe, Tomoko Mayama 1972 1655
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx Kenji Misumi Tomisaburō Wakayama, Kayo Matsuo, Akiji Kobayashi 1972
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades Kenji Misumi Tomisaburō Wakayama, Gō Katō, Yūko Hama 1972
Shadow Hunters Toshio Masuda Yūjirō Ishihara, Ruriko Asaoka, Ryōhei Uchida 1972 Based on the manga series of the same name.
Kogarashi Monjirō Sadao Nakajima Bunta Sugawara, Gorō Ibuki, Takayuki Akutagawa 1972
Zatoichi in Desperation Shintarō Katsu Shintarō Katsu, Kiwako Taichi, Kyoko Yoshizawa 1972
Kogarashi Monjirō: kakawari gozansen Sadao Nakajima Bunta Sugawara, Etsuko Ichihara, Kunie Tanaka 1972
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny Toshio Masuda Yūjirō Ishihara, Ryōhei Uchida, Mikio Narita 1972 Based on the manga series of the same name.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril Takeichi Saitō Tomisaburō Wakayama, Yoichi Hayashi, Michi Azuma 1972
Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice Kenji Misumi Shintaro Katsu 1972
Hanzo the Razor: The Snare Yasuzo Masumura Shintaro Katsu 1973
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons Kenji Misumi Tomisaburō Wakayama, Michiyo Ōkusu, Akihiro Tomikawa 1973
Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold? Yoshio Inoue Shintaro Katsu 1974
Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell Yoshiyuki Kuroda Tomisaburō Wakayama, Akihiro Tomikawa, Junko Hitomi 1974
Ryoma Ansatsu Kazuo Kuroki Yoshio Harada, Yūsaku Matsuda, Renji Ishibashi, Kaori Momoi 1974
Himiko (卑弥呼) Masahiro Shinoda Shima Iwashita, Masao Kusakari, Rie Yokoyama 1974 3rd century Experimental film about the ancient queen, Himiko
Shogun's Samurai Kinji Fukasaku Kinnosuke Yorozuya, Shinichi Chiba, Hiroki Matsukata 1978 1623–1624
The Love Suicides at Sonezaki Yasuzo Masumura Ryudo Uzaki, Meiko Kaji 1978 Based on the play of the same name.
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron Hideo Gosha Tatsuya Nakadai, Junko Miyashita 1978
Swords of Vengeance: The Fall of Ako Castle Kinji Fukasaku Kinnosuke Yorozuya, Shinichi Chiba, Hiroki Matsukata, Tetsurō Tamba, Toshirō Mifune 1978
Hunter in the Dark Hideo Gosha Tatsuya Nakadai, Tetsurō Tamba, Yoshio Harada 1979 Awards: 1 Japanese Academy Award
The Shogun Assassins Sadao Nakajima Hiroki Matsukata, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Ichirō Ogura 1979 Awards: 1 Japanese Academy Award
G.I. Samurai Kōsei Saitō Shinichi Chiba 1979 Time Travel film.
Kagemusha Akira Kurosawa Tatsuya Nakadai 1980 Awards: 2 BAFTA Awards, 1 César Award, 2 David di Donatello Awards, 1 Palme d'Or
Tokugawa ichizoku no hōkai Kōsaku Yamashita Kinnosuke Nakamura, Hiroki Matsukata, Mikijirō Hira 1980
Shōgun Jerry London Richard Chamberlain, Toshirō Mifune, Yoko Shimada 1980 1600 American TV mini-series based on the novel by James Clavell, loosely based on William Adams, the English navigator who served as a key advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu beginning in 1600.
Shogun Assassin Robert Houston Tomisaburo Wakayama 1980 English dubbed edit/compilation of the first two 1972 Lone Wolf and Cub films.
Shogun's Ninja Noribumi Suzuki Hiroyuki Sanada, Shinichi Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi 1980
Sekigahara Shin'ichi Kamoshita, Ichiro Takahashi Hisaya Morishige, Gō Katō, Rentarō Mikuni, Toshirō Mifune 1981 Japanese TV mini-series that aired over 3 consecutive nights.
Kazunomiya-sama otome Kenji Sawai Shinobu Ōtake, Mitsuko Mori, Kimiko Ikegami 1981 Television film
Eijanaika Shohei Imamura Kaori Momoi, Shigeru Izumiya, Ken Ogata 1981
Shikake-nin Baian Yasuo Furuhata Katsuo Nakamura 1981
Samurai Reincarnation Kinji Fukasaku Shinichi Chiba, Kenji Sawada 1981 1637–1638
Edo Porn Kaneto Shindō Ken Ogata, Toshiyuki Nishida, Yūko Tanaka 1981 Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award, 1 Hochi Film Award, 2 Japanese Academy Awards, 1 Yokohama Film Festival Award
The Bushido Blade Tom Kotani Shinichi Chiba, Frank Converse, Mako Iwamatsu, Laura Gemser James Earl Jones, Toshirō Mifune 1981 1854 About the forced Opening of Japan in 1854.
Ninja Wars Kōsei Saitō Hiroyuki Sanada, Noriko Watanabe, Jun Miho 1982 Awards: 3 Japanese Academy Awards
The Ballad of Narayama Shōhei Imamura Ken Ogata, Sumiko Sakamoto, Tonpei Hidari 1983 Awards: 1 Blue Ribbon Award, 1 Hochi Film Award, 3 Japanese Academy Awards, 2 Mainichi Film Concours, 1 Palme d'Or
Legend of the Eight Samurai Kinji Fukasaku Hiroko Yakushimaru, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shinichi Chiba 1983
Hissatsu! Masahisa Sadanaga Makoto Fujita, Kunihiko Mitamura, Izumi Ayukawa 1984
Onna goroshi abura no jigoku Ben Wada Yūsaku Matsuda, Tomoko Ogawa, Jiro Sakagami 1984 Television film
Ran Akira Kurosawa Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Mieko Harada 1985 16th century Awards: 2 BAFTA Awards
Gonza the Spearman Masahiro Shinoda Hiromi Go, Shohei Hino, Shima Iwashita 1986 Awards: 1 Silver Bear
Bakumatsu seishun graffiti: Ronin Sakamoto Ryoma Yoshitaka Kawai Tetsuya Takeda, Toshio Shiba, Takuro Yoshida 1986 Awards: 1 Hochi Film Award
Shogun's Shadow Yasuo Furuhata Ken Ogata, Norihito Arai, Toshihiro Asari 1989
Rikyu Hiroshi Teshigahara Rentarō Mikuni, Tsutomu Yamazaki 1989
Death of a Tea Master Kei Kumai Eiji Okuda, Toshirō Mifune, Kinnosuke Nakamura 1989 Awards: 1 Japanese Academy Award, 1 Kinema Junpo Award, 1 Nikkan Sports Film Award, 1 Silver Hugo, 1 Silver Lion
Heaven and Earth Haruki Kadokawa Enoki Takaaki, Tsugawa Masahiko, Asano Atsuko, Zaizen Naomi, Nomura Hironobu 1990
Sengoku Ransei no Abarenbo Saito Dosan Doto no Tenka Tori Eiichi Kudō Kumiko Akiyoshi, Shinichi Chiba, Ken Matsudaira 1991 Television film
Journey of Honor Gordon Hessler Sho Kosugi, David Essex, Kane Kosugi, Toshirō Mifune 1991 1600–1602 Loosely based on the journey of samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga and his delegation to Spain in 1613.
Bakumatsu Jyunjyoden Mitsuyuki Yakushiji Ken Watanabe, Riho Makise, Tetta Sugimoto 1991
Mangetsu: Mr. Moonlight Kazuki Ohmori Saburō Tokitō, Bin Amatsu, Leo Morimoto 1991 Time Travel film.
Gō-hime Hiroshi Teshigahara Rie Miyazawa, Tatsuya Nakadai, Toshiya Nagasawa 1992 Awards: 2 Japanese Academy Awards
The Oil-Hell Murder Hideo Gosha Kanako Higuchi, Shin'ichi Tsutsumi 1992
Ihen kaidō Kōsei Saitō Ikkō Furuya, Mariko Fuji, Shōhei Hino 1993 Television film
Kaettekite Kogarashi Monjiro Kon Ichikawa Atsuo Nakamura, Ryōko Sakaguchi, Ittoku Kishibe 1993
Crest of Betrayal Kinji Fukasaku Kōichi Satō, Saki Takaoka, Keiko Oginome, Tsunehiko Watase, Eriko Watanabe 1994
47 Ronin Kon Ichikawa Ken Takakura, Kiichi Nakai 1994
Sharaku Masahiro Shinoda Hiroyuki Sanada, Frankie Sakai, Shima Iwashita, Tsurutarō Kataoka 1995
Bungo torimono ezu – Harikomi Keiichi Ozawa Hashinosuke Nakamura, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Sayuri Kokushō 1996 Television film
Reborn From Hell: Samurai Armageddon Kazumasa Shirai Hiroyuki Watanabe, Tomorowo Taguchi, Yūko Moriyama 1996 Remake of the 1981 film Samurai Reincarnation.
Legend of the Devil Masaru Tsushima Masaki Kyōmoto, Atsuo Nakamura, Daisuke Ryū 1996
Samurai Fiction: Episode One Hiroyuki Nakano Morio Kazama, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Tomoyasu Hotei 1998 Awards: 1 Mainichi Film Concours, 1 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival Award, 2 Sitges Awards
Kunoichi ninpō-chō: Yagyū gaiden, Edo-bana jigoku-hen Hitoshi Ozawa Hitoshi Ozawa, Yūko Moriyama 1998
After the Rain Takashi Koizumi Akira Terao, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Shiro Mifune, Mieko Harada, Tatsuya Nakadai 1999
Owls' Castle Masahiro Shinoda Kiichi Nakai, Mayu Tsuruta, Riona Hazuki 1999 Based on the novel under the same name.
Gohatto Nagisa Oshima Ryuhei Matsuda, Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano 1999
Dora-Heita Kon Ichikawa Kōji Yakusho, Yūko Asano, Tsurutarō Kataoka 2000
Gojoe Sogo Ishii Tadanobu Asano, Masatoshi Nagase, Daisuke Ryu, Jun Kunimura 2000 Awards: 1 Hochi Film Award
Onmyoji Yōjirō Takita Mansai Nomura, Hideaki Ito, Hiroyuki Sanada 2001
Chūshingura 1/47 Shunsaku Kawamo Takuya Kimura, Kōichi Satō 2001 Television film. Remake of the 1932 film Chūshingura – Zempen: Akahokyō no maki.
Kewaishi Mitsutoshi Tanaka Kippei Shîna, Miho Kanno, Chizuru Ikewaki 2002 Awards: 1 Tokyo International Film Festival Award
Kumamoto Stories Takashi Miike Tōru Emori, Renji Ishibashi, Jinpachi Nezu, Mikijirō Hira, Mihoko Abe, Noriko Aota, Ayumi Asakura 2002 Includes 3 short films: Onna Kunishuu Ikki, Kikuchi-jo Monogatari: Sakimori-tachi no Uta, and Zuiketsu Genso: Tonkararin Yume Densetsu.
The Sea Is Watching Kei Kumai Misa Shimizu, Nagiko Tōno, Masatoshi Nagase 2002
Ryoma's Wife, Her Husband and Her Lover Jun Ichikawa Noritake Kinashi, Kiichi Nakai, Kyōka Suzuki 2002 Awards: 1 Nikkan Sports Film Award
Sabu Takashi Miike Tatsuya Fujiwara, Satoshi Tsumabuki 2002 Television film
The Twilight Samurai Yoji Yamada Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa 2002 Awards: 12 Japanese Academy Awards
When the Last Sword Is Drawn Yōjirō Takita Kiichi Nakai, Kōichi Satō, Yui Natsukawa, Takehiro Murata 2003
Aragami Ryuhei Kitamura Takao Osawa, Masaya Kato, Kanae Uotani, Tak Sakaguchi, Hideo Sakaki 2003 Awards: 1 Silver Raven
Makai Tenshō Hideyuki Hirayama Yōsuke Kubozuka, Kumiko Asō, Tetta Sugimoto 2003
Azumi Ryuhei Kitamura Aya Ueto 2003 Based on the manga series of the same name.
Zatōichi Takeshi Kitano Beat Takeshi, Tadanobu Asano, Yui Natsukawa 2003
Onmyoji 2 Yōjirō Takita Mansai Nomura, Hideaki Itō, Eriko Imai, Kyoko Fukada, Hayato Ichihara 2003
The Last Samurai Edward Zwick Tom Cruise, Timothy Spall, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, Tony Goldwyn, Hiroyuki Sanada, Koyuki, Shin Koyamada 2003 1877 Fictional story based around the Satsuma Rebellion during the Meiji period.
Warau Iemon Yukio Ninagawa Toshiaki Karasawa, Koyuki, Teruyuki Kagawa, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi 2004 Awards: 2 Asia-Pacific Film Festival Awards, 1 Nikkan Sports Film Award
Kibakichi Tomo'o Haraguchi Ryūji Harada, Nozomi Andō, Tatsuo Higashida 2004
Kibakichi 2 Tomo'o Haraguchi Ryūji Harada, Miki Tanaka, Aimi Nakajima 2004
Izo Takashi Miike Kazuya Nakayama, Takeshi Kitano, Bob Sapp 2004
The Hidden Blade Yoji Yamada Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu, Yukiyoshi Ozawa 2004
Azumi 2: Death or Love Shusuke Kaneko Aya Ueto 2005 Based on the manga series of the same name.
Ashura Yōjirō Takita Somegorō Ichikawa, Rie Miyazawa, Kanako Higuchi 2005 Awards: 1 Hochi Film Award, 1 Kinema Junpo Award, 1 Nikkan Sports Film Award, 1 Yokohama Film Festival Award
Samurai Commando: Mission 1549 Masaaki Tezuka Yōsuke Eguchi, Kyōka Suzuki, Haruka Ayase 2005 Awards: 1 Asia-Pacific Film Festival Award
Hana Hirokazu Koreeda Jun'ichi Okada, Rie Miyazawa, Arata Furuta 2006 Awards: 1 Nikkan Sports Film Award
Love and Honor Yoji Yamada Kimura Takuya, Dan Rei, Takashi Sasano 2006
Kaidan Hideo Nakata Kumiko Asō, Takaaki Enoki, Reona Hirota 2007 Awards: 1 Yokohama Film Festival Award
Sukiyaki Western Django Takashi Miike Hideaki Ito, Kōichi Satō, Yusuke Iseya 2007
Chacha Hajime Hashimoto Ryōko Gi, Mieko Harada, Takehiro Hira 2007
Yamazakura Tetsuo Shinohara Rena Tanaka, Noriyuki Higashiyama, Tetsuya Chiba 2008
Geisha Assassin Gō Ohara Minami Tsukui, Shigeru Kanai, Nao Nagasawa 2008
Ichi Fumihiko Sori Takao Osawa, Haruka Ayase, Shido Nakamura, Yōsuke Kubozuka 2008
Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf Kurando Mitsutake Kurando Mitsutake, Jeffrey James Lippold, Domiziano Arcangeli 2009
Ballad: Na mo naki koi no uta Takashi Yamazaki Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Yui Aragaki, Akashi Takei 2009
Castle Under Fiery Skies Mitsutoshi Tanaka Toshiyuki Nishida, Shōzō Endō, Saki Fukuda 2009
Sword of Desperation Hideyuki Hirayama Etsushi Toyokawa, Chizuru Ikewaki, Koji Kikkawa 2010
13 Assassins Takashi Miike Kōji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yūsuke Iseya, Goro Inagaki, Masachika Ichimura, Mikijirō Hira 2010 Remake of the 1963 film 13 Assassins.
Ōoku Fuminori Kaneko Ko Shibasaki, Kazunari Ninomiya, Hiroshi Tamaki 2010 Based on the manga series of the same name.
The Sakurada Gate Incident Junya Sato Takao Ohsawa, Kyoko Hasegawa, Minosuke Bandō 2010
Abacus and Sword Yoshimitsu Morita Masato Sakai, Yukie Nakama, Kimimaro Ayanokōji 2010
Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya Nopporn Watin Seigi Ozeki, Kanokkorn Jaicheun, Sorapong Chatree 2010 Awards: 1 Thailand National Film Association Award
The Winter Butterfly Marcus Tozini Sam Aoyama, Ikuma Isaac Fryman, Sharon Gee 2010
At River's Edge Tetsuo Shinohara Noriyuki Higashiyama, Rinko Kikuchi 2011
Scabbard Samurai Hitoshi Matsumoto Masatō Ibu, Jun Kunimura, Itsuji Itao 2011
Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai Takashi Miike Ichikawa Ebizō XI, Eita, Kōji Yakusho 2011 Remake of the 1962 film Harakiri.
Shinobido Toshiyuki Morioka Aimi Satsukawa, Ryōichi Yuki, Ayaka Kikuchi 2012
The Dry Blade Michael Fredianelli Michael Nosé, Henry Lee, Carl Schreiber 2012
Rurouni Kenshin Keishi Ōtomo Takeru Sato, Emi Takei 2012 Based on the manga series of the same name.
The Floating Castle Shinji Higuchi and Isshin Inudo Mansai Nomura 2012 Late 16th century Set in feudal Japan, the film is based on the Siege of Oshi and depicts the struggle of Oshi's villagers in defending their fortress against Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign against the Hojo clan.
Unforgiven Lee Sang-il Ken Watanabe, Kōichi Satō, Akira Emoto 2013 Based on the 1992 American western of the same name.
Mission Impossible: Samurai[8] Katsuhide Motoki Kuranosuke Sasaki, Kyoko Fukada, Tsuyoshi Ihara 2014
Zakurozaka no Adauchi[9] Setsurō Wakamatsu Kiichi Nakai, Hiroshi Abe, Ryōko Hirosue 2014
Kakekomi[10] Masato Harada Yo Oizumi, Erika Toda, Hikari Mitsushima 2015
Masterless Craig Shimahara Adam LaVorgna 2015
Silence Martin Scorsese Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Tadanobu Asano, Ciarán Hinds, Liam Neeson 2016 1630s–1638 Based on the novel of the same name.
Sekigahara Masato Harada Junichi Okada, Kasumi Arimura, Takehiro Hira, Masahiro Higashide, Kōji Yakusho 2017

1600

Based on a novel by Ryōtarō Shiba about the Battle of Sekigahara.

Gendai-geki films

Gendai-geki (現劇) is a genre of film and television or theater play in Japan. Unlike the jidai-geki genre of period dramas, whose stories are set in the Edo period, gendaigeki stories are contemporary dramas set in the modern world.

Title Release date Time period Notes on setting
Laughing Under the Clouds 2018 1868–1912 Based on a manga series, set from the Meiji period to the Taishō period, including the life of the Emperor Meiji during the Meiji Restoration.
Lady Snowblood 1973 1874–1894 Based on the manga series of the same name.
Waga Koi wa Moenu 1949 1880s
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War 1958 1904–1905 Dramatization of the Russo-Japanese War.
Fullmetal Alchemist 2017 1927 Based on a manga series, set during the Benito Mussolini's regime.
Gambler's Life: Unstoppable Bloodbath 1969 1930s Set in the early Shōwa period.
Flower of Chivalry Torn Asunder: Gambling Heir 1969 1930s Set in the early Shōwa period.
Onna jigoku uta: Shakuhachi benten 1970
Tora! Tora! Tora! 1970 1941 Detailing the events leading up to and including the Attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Midway 1976 1942 About the Battle of Midway between Japan and the United States in 1942.
The Bridge on the River Kwai 1957 1942–1945 About allied prisoners of war forced to work on the Burma Railway during World War II.
Letters from Iwo Jima 2006 1945 Japanese-language film directed by Clint Eastwood about the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.
Hiroshima 1995 1945 Docu-drama about the events leading up to the use of the first atomic weapons in 1945.
Fueled: The Man They Called Pirate 2016 1945–1960 Based on a novel, from the Occupation of Japan to the 1960 U-2 incident during the Cold War era and the Japanese economic miracle.
Kids on the Slope 2018 1966–1978 Based on a manga series, set during the foundation of the Asian Development Bank to the opening of Narita International Airport, part of the Cold War era.
Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura [ja] 2017 1976–1980 Based on the manga, set from the Lockheed bribery scandals to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott, part of the Cold War era.
Climber's High and Shizumanu Taiyō 2008–2009 1985 Historical dramas about the Japan Airlines Flight 123 incident.
Sadako vs. Kayako 2016 2004–2009 Based on Ring Trilogy and Ju-On by Koji Suzuki and Takashi Shimizu, one of the horror franchises in Japan.

Korean and South Korean history

Sortable table
Title Release date Time period Notes on setting
The Great Battle 2018 645 Set during the Siege of Ansi.
Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield 2003 660 Set during the Battle of Hwangsanbeol.
A Frozen Flower 2008 1330–1374 Set during the late Goryeo dynasty.
Empire of Lust 2015 14th century Set during the reign of King Taejo.
Musa (film) 2001 1375 A story about diplomatic mission from the Goryeo travels to Ming China.
The Divine Weapon 2008 1418–1450 Set during the reign of Sejong the Great.
The King and the Clown 2005 1494–1506 Set during the reign of Yeonsangun of Joseon.
Blades of Blood 2010 1500s Set during the 16th century.
The Admiral: Roaring Currents 2014 1597 Depicts the Battle of Myeongnyang, a naval battle between Japan and Korea.
Shadows in the Palace 2007 1600s Set during the 17th century.
Sword in the Moon 2003 1600 c. 1600 Set during the beginning of the 17th century.
War of the Arrows 2011 1636–37 Set during the second Manchu invasion of Korea.
The Fortress 2017 1636 Set during the second Manchu invasion of Korea.
The Sword with No Name 2009 1860s–1870s Set during the 19th century, fictionalized account of the reign of Empress Myeongseong
Chi-hwa-seon 2002 1843–97 About the life of Korean painter Oh-won.
The Sound of a Flower 2015 1867–84 About the life of the Korean pansori singer Shin Jae-hyo.
The Good, the Bad, the Weird 2008 1920–1930 Loosely based on the seizure of 150,000 won in Manchuria.
The Last Princess 2016 1925–1962 About the life of Princess Deokhye.
Love, Lies 2016 1943–1945 Set during Korea under Japanese rule and World War II.
The Taebaek Mountains 1994 1948–1950 Set during the Yeosu–Suncheon rebellion and the Korean War
Taegukgi 2004 1950–1953 Set during the Korean War.
Welcome to Dongmakgol 2005 1950–1953 Set during the Korean War.
71: Into the Fire 2010 1950–1953 Set during the Korean War.
The Front Line 2011 1953 Set during the Korean Armistice Agreement.
Gangnam Blues 2014 1966–1970 Set in the late 1960s to the 1970s about the development of Gangnam during the Park Chung-hee's regime.
Silmido 2003 1970s Based on a military uprising on Silmido island.
A Taxi Driver 2017 1980 Set during the Gwangju Uprising after the assassination of Park Chung-hee.
1987: When the Day Comes 2017 1987–1990 Set during the June Struggle to the Revolutions of 1989.

Southeast Asia

Filipino history

Sortable table
Title Release date Time period Setting Notes
Banaue: Stairway to the Sky 1975 500 BC c. 500 BC Philippines The film depicts the Prehistory of the Philippines, and the construction of the Banaue Rice Terraces.
Lapu-Lapu 1955 1491–1542 Philippines Chronicles the life of Lapu-Lapu and death of Ferdinand Magellan.
Lapu-Lapu 2002 1491–1542 Philippines A remake of the 1955 film that chronicles the life of Lapu-Lapu.
José Rizal 1998 1861–1896 Philippines A biographical film focusing on the Philippine National Hero, José Rizal.
Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? 1970 1870–1895 Philippines A period drama film that focuses on the Hispanicized Society of the Philippines during the colonial period.
Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo 2014 1872–1897 Philippines A biographical film chronicling the life of Andres Bonifacio from his founding of the Katipunan to his eventual execution.
El Presidente 2012 1886–1962 Philippines A biographical film about the first Filipino president Emilio Aguinaldo.
Felix Manalo 2015 1886–1963 Philippines A biographical film about Felix Manalo, founder and pioneer executive minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
Baler 2008 1898 Philippines A romantic drama film set during the Siege of Baler.
Tiniente Rosario 1937 1898–1901 Philippines A film about the Philippine Revolutionary Army and its female Sergeant officer.[11]
Heneral Luna 2015 1898–1903 Philippines An epic war film detailing General Antonio Luna's leadership of the Filipino army during the Philippine–American War.
Aguila 1980 1899–1945 Philippines Touted at the time as "the biggest event in local movie history" and "the biggest Filipino film ever made".
Tirad Pass: The Story of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar 1997 December 2, 1899 Philippines A movie about the Battle of Tirad Pass, a Philippine Campaign against Americans led by General Gregorio Del Pilar.
Amigo 2010 1900s Philippines A film set during Philippine–American War
Rosario 2010 1920s Philippines Depicts the life of Rosario (Manuel V. Pangilinan's grandmother), a girl during the Insular Government Period.
Santiago! 1970 1941–1945 Philippines Depicting the Philippine campaign during World War II
Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita 2004 1941–1945 Philippines About the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines in World War II
Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos 1972 1942–1945 Philippines Movie set in Philippines during World War II
Alab ng Lahi 2003 1945 Philippines The film depicts the Filipino Guerillas during the end of World War II led by Gregorio Magtangol and the friendship between a Japanese and Filipino soldier.
Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story 2011 1951 Philippines The criminal life of Asiong Salonga that led to his assassination on October 7, 1951.
Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill, the Arturo Porcuna Story 2013 1960s Philippines The life and death of Arturo "Boy Golden" Porcuna, who rose through the Manila underworld in the 1960s until his eventual murder.
Dekada '70 2002 1970s Philippines Based on the novel of the same name by Lualhati Bautista. The setting of the film is set during the period of Martial law.

Mainland and Maritime Southeast Asia

Sortable table
Title Release date Time period Setting Notes
The Killing Fields 1984 1973–1979 Cambodia About the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. The film begins in 1973.
First They Killed My Father 2017 1975 Cambodia Set during the takeover of Phnom Penh by Khmer Rouge and the lives of captives in the jungle.
Krakatoa, East of Java 1969 1883 Indonesia American film nominated for Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, featured the 1883 eruption of the volcano on the island of Krakatoa.
Paradise Road 1997 1939–1945 Indonesia About the event of World War II on the island of Sumatra.
The Merdeka Trilogy: Merah Putih, Darah Garuda, and Hati Merdeka 2009–11 1945–1949 Indonesia About the struggles of the Indonesians throughout the Indonesian National Revolution.
The Year of Living Dangerously 1982 1965 Indonesia Directed by Peter Weir, about the Transition to the New Order (Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation) or vivere pericolosamente.
Mat Kilau 2022 1890s Malaysia Fictionalized account of Mat Kilau within the historical setting of late 19th-century Pahang.
Leftenan Adnan 2000 1940s Malaysia About the experiences of Adnan bin Saidi as a soldier during World War II.
Snow in Midsummer 2023 1969 Malaysia The film deals with the 13 May Incident.
Never Shall We Be Enslaved 1997 1885 Myanmar A two-part film depicting the events of the Third Anglo-Burmese War and the fall of Thibaw Min and his dynasty.
1965 (film) 2015 1963–1966 Singapore Singapore in Malaysia, 1964 race riots in Singapore (Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation) and National Day of 1965.
The Legend of Suriyothai 2001 1520s–1548 Thailand The film is follows the course of the life of Queen Suriyothai, who given up her life in the defense of her husband, King Maha Chakkraphat, in a battle during the Burmese–Siamese War (1547–1549).
King Naresuan 2007 1555–1592 Thailand The film is set after event in 2001 film The Legend of Suriyothai about King Naresuan who executes the plotters and declares Ayutthaya independent from the Toungoo Empire
Balibo 2009 1975 Timor-Leste Australian film about the deaths of the Balibo Five, set during the Indonesian invasion of East Timor.
Blood Letter 2011 1442 c. 1442 Vietnam About the retaliation of Tran Nguyen Vu (Nguyen Trai's grandchild) for his grandfather's death in 1442. The movie was based on Bui Anh Tan's bestselling novel of the same name.
The Rebel 2007 1920s Vietnam Set in 1920s Vietnam under colonial French rule.
Indochine (film) 1992 1940s–1954 Vietnam French film set in the twilight of colonial French Indochina during the 1930s.
The Scent of Green Papaya 1993 1950s Vietnam Set in 1950s Saigon.
The Quiet American 2002 1952 Vietnam Set in Vietnam in 1952, and pertaining to emerging violent factions in the area and early CIA involvement.
The White Silk Dress 2006 1968 Vietnam Directed by Luu Huynh. It is about a tragedy in Vietnam War.

See also

References

  1. ^ "'Maharaj' review: A royal slog". 21 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Chiyaan Vikram wraps up his portions in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan". 29 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Akshay Kumar's Prithviraj to be based on epic titled Prithviraj Raso". 23 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Chhaava: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna join star-studded historical epic on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj".
  5. ^ "Sardar Udham movie review: Vicky Kaushal is bewitching in one of the boldest, most traumatising Hindi films ever made". 16 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Sam Bahadur: Vicky Kaushal's Film to Release on This Date".
  7. ^ Hill (2002).
  8. ^ 超高速！参勤交代(2014). allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  9. ^ 柘榴坂の仇討(2014). allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  10. ^ "駆込み女と駆出し男(2015)". allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  11. ^ "Teniente Rosario". 17 June 1937 – via www.imdb.com.
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