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Sadao Nakajima

Sadao Nakajima

Director and writer · Died June 11, 2023, aged 88 · Togane, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Japanese film director and screenwriter known for his work in yakuza films and jidaigeki.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 8, 1934
Died
June 11, 2023 (aged 88)
From
Togane, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Works as
Director and writer
Titles
9 on MovieCove · 97 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 29% in 30 days

What are Sadao Nakajima's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Power and Bonds.

Genres

Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Power
29%
Bonds
22%
Survival
19%
Self
11%
Society
10%
Morality
9%
Survival3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 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 1 · Serious 1 · 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

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 1 · Charged 2 · Intense 6

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 3 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

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

Easy watch 0 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 5

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
3
Thrilling
2
Dread
3
Cold
2
Other
5

How their films linger

Bittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous4

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 Sadao Nakajima's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 1 of their 9 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Sadao Nakajima'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

97 credits, 9 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Love's Twisting Path (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Chambara: The Art of Japanese Swordplay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Actor

  • Uzumasa Limelight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Sadao Nakajima

  • Yakuza Ladies: Revenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Screenplay

  • Yakuza Ladies: Red Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Screenplay

  • No Mercy Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Writer

  • Yakuza Ladies: Decision (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director

  • Yakuza Ladies: Dangerous Gamble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director

  • The Man Who Shot the Don (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director

  • 天下を獲った男 豊臣秀吉 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Oda Nobunaga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Yakuza Warfare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Yakuza Ladies Revisited (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • The Man Who Became The Don (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Screenplay

  • Takeda Shingen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • 1750 Days of Turbulence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director · Screenplay

  • She-Shogun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Ryoma Sakamoto: Samurai Gunslinger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director · Actor

  • Shogun's Shadow(1989)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Anego(1988)

    Screenplay

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

  • My Beloved Is My Husband's Boss?! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Tokyo Bordello(1987)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Father Avenger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Countryside Accountant's Government Reform (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • 「松本清張サスペンス 隠花の飾り」足袋 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • The Seburi Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Appassionata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Theater Of Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Domineering (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Blazing Valiant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Screenplay

  • Kamikaze, the Adventurer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Writer

  • 映画村殺人事件 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Jun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Producer

  • Shadow Warriors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Shogun Assassins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Down with The Big Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Japanese Godfather: Conclusion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Shag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Japanese Godfather: Ambition(1977)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Japanese Humanity and Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Japan's Don(1977)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Three Ginza Rascals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Great Okinawa Yakuza War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • A Savage Beast Goes Mad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Operation Plazma in Osaka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Scoundrel Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Company Buggers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Shimane Prison Riot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • The Viper Brothers and the Young General (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • The Rapacious Jailbreaker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Violent Fraternity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • The Scoundler vs. The Viper Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Maizuru Showdown between The Yakuza Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Jeans Blues: No Future (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Bohachi Bushido: The Villain(1974)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Tokyo-Seoul-Bangkok Drug Triangle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Girl Boss: Escape From Reform School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Kyoto Connection(1973)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Aesthetics of a Bullet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Director

  • Queen of Eros (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Director

  • Kogarashi Monjiro 2: Secret of Monjiro's Birth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

  • The Viper Brothers: 18 Extortion Threats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

  • Withered Tree, the Adventures of Monjiro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Viper Brothers: Prison Gang 13 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Screenplay

  • A Modern Yakuza: Three Decoy Blood Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director

  • Twisted Sex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director

  • The Viper Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director

  • Pilgrimage to Japanese Baths (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Revelation of a Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Writer

  • Three Pretty Devils (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Screenplay

  • Postwar Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Women of Osaka Castle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 39 episodes · Director

  • Memoir of Japanese Assassinations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Cross of Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Screenplay

  • Nippon '69: Sexual Curiosity Seeking Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director

  • Amadera maruhi monogatari(1968)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Code Between Brothers 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director

  • Shogun and His Mistress 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director

  • The Shogun and His Mistresses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director

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

    Director · Screenplay

  • Isshin Tasuke: Edoites Festival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Adaptation · Original Story

  • The Domain: White Blade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Writer

  • Judo vs. Karate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Showdown of Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Yakuza Hooligans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Yakuza Vassal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Flower and Dragon: Duel of the Sea Caves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Writer

  • True Osaka Grit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Screenplay

  • Irogotoshi harudanji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Screenplay

  • Three Yakuza(1965)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Tattooed Lord (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Screenplay

  • The Spying Sorceress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director · Writer

  • Female Ninja Magic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director · Writer

  • 間諜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Screenplay

  • Giant Rumble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Screenplay

  • Edo Crime Book: Black Claws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Writer

  • 松本清張サスペンス 隠花の飾り (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · Director

Career shape

A full career of 97 titles, 96 of them dated from 1964 to 2019.

Highest rated

Shogun's Shadow (1989)

Midcredits 77th

Most popular right now

Bohachi Bushido: The Villain (1974)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting3 of 97: 1 only acting, 2 with another roleDirecting73 of 97: 41 only directing, 32 with another roleWriting52 of 97: 22 only writing, 30 with another role · typical Midcredits score56thProducing1 of 97: 1 only producing, 0 with another role

97 titles, 32 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 30 of them.

By decade

1960s24 · crew1970s38 · crew1980s17 · 1 acting · 17 crew1990s13 · crew2000s1 · crew2010s3 · 2 acting · 2 crew

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.

How do Sadao Nakajima's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 9; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 9 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 9 titles are Mixed.

  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · writer

Three Yakuza (1965)

71st percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Japan's Don (1977)

Midcredits 79th · 65% liked

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 Sadao Nakajima work with?

People who share at least 2 of Sadao Nakajima's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hiroki Matsukata shares the most, 5.

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers