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Kazuo Kitamura

Kazuo Kitamura

Actor · Died May 6, 2007, aged 80 · Tokyo, Japan

Kazuo Kitamura was born on 11 March 1927 in Tokyo, Japan. He was an actor, known for Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970), High and Low (1963) and Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (2005). He died on 6 May 2007 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

Biography from IMDb.

Born
March 11, 1927
Died
May 6, 2007 (aged 80)
From
Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
19 on MovieCove · 107 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 82% in 30 days

What are Kazuo Kitamura's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
23%
Self
17%
Power
16%
Society
16%
Morality
14%
Bonds
13%
Obsession2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 0 · Serious 2 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 4 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 4 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 2 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 4

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 0 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 7

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 2 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 3
Ally
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
5
Absurd
2
Dread
2
Contemplative
2
Other
2

How their films linger

Thought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kazuo Kitamura's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 19 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kazuo Kitamura's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

107 credits, 19 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Beauty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Sinking of Japan(2006)

    as Minister of Justice

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Island of Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Taizo Suzuki

  • Henshin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Hidetaka Doumoto

  • Shinobi: Heart Under Blade(2005)

    as Tokugawa Ieyasu

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Woman Changed Her Clothes at the Bus Stop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Sasaki

  • Musashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 49 episodes · as Ieyasu Tokugawa

  • Warm Water Under a Red Bridge(2001)

    as Taro

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Yakuza Ladies: Companions in Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Churasan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 169 episodes · as Shimada Daishin

  • Darkness in the Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Takeo Nagata

  • Chūshingura Urabanashi: Nakazō Kyōran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Amateur Singing Contest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • 一本の手 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Free and Easy 9 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • I Miss Age 35 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 11 episodes · as Asano

  • Kita no kuni kara '92 Sudachi Part 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • The Shootist 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Heat Wave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Kosugi

  • Tales of a Golden Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Tsurumaru

  • Festival of Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Company Executives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Black Rain(1989)

    as Shigematsu Shizuma

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Green Requiem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Secret Agreement: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secret Leak Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Iki no Iiyatsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Katayoku dake no tenshi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • The Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Female Doctor in the Surgical Ward (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • 松本清張のかげろう絵図 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Kaikyô(1982)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Maboroshi no mizuumi(1982)

    as Onishi

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Aladdin (voice)

  • Sailor Suit and Machine Gun(1981)

    as Hamaguchi

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Detective Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • The Man Who Stole the Sun(1979)

    as Tanaka

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • White Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Yoichiro Yamashita

  • 本日ただいま誕生 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Vengeance Is Mine(1979)

    as Shigomi Deike

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Taro the Dragon Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as (voice)

  • Monument to Holy Service (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • The Wild Daisy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Daihijôsen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Oretachi no Tabi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Solar Eclipse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Wings of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Moeru otoko Nagashima Shigeo: eikō no se-bangō 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Touch of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Yujiro Aoki

  • My Voiceless Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • シークレット部隊 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • Summer Soldiers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Tachikawa

  • The Pirates of Buban (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Wakare no uta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Kigeki Ijiwaru Daishougai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Haru no Sakamichi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 52 episodes · as Shima Sakon

  • The Militarists (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Yamanaka

  • Tora! Tora! Tora!(1970)

    as Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Brother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • Vixen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Only Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • The Woman Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Profound Desires of the Gods(1968)

    as Kariya

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Trigger-Happy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Age of Japanese Guerrillas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Director of Beheiron

  • Women and Miso Soup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • The Neon Taiheiki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • The Great Villains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Attorney Okano

  • Impasse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Fujikida

  • Three Seconds to Zero Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Sugiyama

  • Japan's Longest Day(1967)

    as Tomoo Sato - Cabinet General Affairs Section Chief

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • I'll Never Cry! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Warm Current (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Dr. Hashizume

  • The Pornographers(1966)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Minamoto no Yoshitsune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 52 episodes · as Hiromoto Oe

  • The White Rose of Hong Kong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Hiroshi Aoki

  • A Chain of Islands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Cold Rice, Osan, Chan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • That Cute Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • The Soundless Cry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Kwaidan(1964)

    as Tomomori (segment "Hoichi the Earless")

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Whirlpool of Flesh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Kohei Otani

  • Night Scandal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Kamekichi Enjo

  • Intentions of Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Seiichiro Takahashi

  • The Scent of Incense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Keisuke

  • The Hunter's Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Kentaro Hatanaka

  • Night Scandal in Japan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Aoyama

  • Ukyunosuke's Reverse Ichimonji Cut (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Warrior of the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Yôroku Nabari

  • Yearning(1964)

    as Mr. Morizono

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Akō Rōshi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 52 episodes · Actor

  • Ukyonosuke Junsatsu-ki(1963)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Insect Woman(1963)

    as Chuji

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • At the Side of the Bridge 4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Women Called 'Wives' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Life of a Flower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 39 episodes · as Utsuki Kageyoshi

  • High and Low(1963)

    as Third Reporter

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Fresh Leaves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • The Man With Starry Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Till Tomorrow Is (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • The Rokumeikan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer(1961)

    as Kitagô Sôchô

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Lovelorn Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Pilgrimage at Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Takai

  • The Rokumeikan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Pure Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Kokoro ni hana no saku hi made (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • An Inlet of Muddy Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 107 titles from 1953 to 2008; peak year 1980.

Biggest box office

Vengeance Is Mine (1979)

$21K worldwide

Highest rated

Yearning (1964)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Vengeance Is Mine (1979)

Film career

19532008

Peak 1980 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1961Screen debut· The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer
  • 1989Career best· Black Rain

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting107 of 107: 107 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score92nd

By decade

1950s5 · acting1960s45 · acting1970s22 · acting1980s15 · acting1990s8 · acting2000s12 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 16 roles
616681

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Kazuo Kitamura's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 92nd percentile, the median of all 19; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 93rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

93rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th3

Shape of the crowd

9 of their 19 titles are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed3

Most divisive · actor

Ukyonosuke Junsatsu-ki (1963)

85th percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 51. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Kazuo Kitamura work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kazuo Kitamura's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Shōhei Imamura shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles