Shōzō Nanbu - Actor Profile

Shōzō Nanbu

Acting
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
50Total Films
8.1 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 26, 1898
Birth Place: Hiji, Ōita Prefecture, Japan

Shōzō Nanbu Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Shōzō Nanbu reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Shōzō Nanbu's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 58% of Shōzō Nanbu's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Sansho the Bailiff, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Shōzō Nanbu Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Shōzō Nanbu's career based on audience ratings.

★8.1
Sansho the Bailiff (1954) movie poster
★8.1

Sansho the Bailiff: In 11th-century feudal Japan, following the exile of an idealistic governor, his wife and children are separated by slav

Sansho the Bailiff

1954•Drama
★8.0
Ugetsu (1953) movie poster
★8.0

Ugetsu: In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro and Tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village

Ugetsu

1953•Fantasy
★7.8
The Ghost Cat and the Mysterious Shamisen (1938) movie poster
★7.8

The Ghost Cat and the Mysterious Shamisen: Mitsue is a popular stage actress and the lover of a shamisen player named Seijuro. She jealously murders two other obje

The Ghost Cat and the Mysterious Shamisen

1938•Horror
★7.7
Broken Swords (1969) movie poster
★7.7

Broken Swords: The tragic, yet exciting story of the friendship between Nakayama Yasubei, a member of the 47 Ronin, and Tange Tenzen, a

Broken Swords

1969•Drama
★7.4
Samurai Vendetta (1959) movie poster
★7.4

Samurai Vendetta: Two amiable samurai wind up on opposite sides of the vendetta between Lord Asano's retainers and the family of Lord Kira

Samurai Vendetta

1959•Drama

Full Filmography

Every movie Shōzō Nanbu has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1972 Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice - Average Similar →
1969 Haunted Castle Priest Genkai Average Similar →
1969 The Curse of the Ghost - Average Similar →
1969 Broken Swords - Super Hit Similar →
1968 Zatoichi and the Fugitives Tokuzaemon Hit Similar →
1968 The Bride from Hades - Hit Similar →
1968 Lone Wolf Isazo - Hit Similar →
1968 Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters - Hit Similar →
1968 Sleepy Eyes of Death 10: Hell Is a Woman - Average Similar →
1967 The Wife of Seishu Hanaoka - Average Similar →
1966 The Betrayal - Average Similar →
1966 Irezumi - Hit Similar →
1964 Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo - Hit Similar →
1964 Shinobi no Mono 4: Siege Oinokami Doi Average Similar →
1963 Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade - Flop Similar →
1963 Bronze Magician Хамана Hit Similar →
1963 The Third Shadow Warrior - Hit Similar →
1963 New Tale of Zatoichi Jinpachiro Kanda Hit Similar →
1962 Ninja, A Band of Assassins - Average Similar →
1962 The Tale of Zatoichi Continues Gouemon Kashiya Hit Similar →
1962 Destiny's Son Kazue Yasutomi Hit Similar →
1962 The Temple of Wild Geese Kaio Takeda Hit Similar →
1960 Satan's Sword Katayanagi Banjirou Hit Similar →
1960 Scars of Honor - Average Similar →
1960 Jirocho Fuji 2: The Chivalrous - Average Similar →
1960 The Demon of Mount Oe - Average Similar →
1960 The Wandering Princess Hidesato Sugawara Hit Similar →
1959 Samurai Vendetta - Hit Similar →
1959 Odd Obsession - Average Similar →
1957 The Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly Dr. Hayakawa Average Similar →
1957 An Osaka Story - Flop Similar →
1956 Undercurrent - Average Similar →
1956 Zangiku monogatari Doctor Hit Similar →
1956 Hidden Story of the Yagyu Clan - Hit Similar →
1956 Warning from Space The Elder Dr. Itsobe Flop Similar →
1955 Taira Clan Saga - Hit Similar →
1954 The Great White Tiger Platoon - Average Similar →
1954 Sansho the Bailiff Masasue Taira Super Hit Similar →
1953 Gate of Hell Sadafusa Hit Similar →
1953 Ugetsu Shintô Priest Super Hit Similar →
1952 This Way, That Way - Hit Similar →
1952 Saiyûki - Hit Similar →
1951 Miss Oyu Doctor Hit Similar →
1951 Clothes of Deception - Hit Similar →
1949 The Invisible Man Appears Umeo Miyazawa Average Similar →
1947 The Love of the Actress Sumako - Hit Similar →
1939 A Color Print of Edo - Hit Similar →
1938 The Ghost Cat and the Mysterious Shamisen - Super Hit Similar →
1929 Tokyo March 劇作家島津健 Average Similar →
1927 Yaji and Kita: Yasuda's Rescue Yasota Sugimura Average Similar →

Shōzō Nanbu - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Shōzō Nanbu?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Shōzō Nanbu is "Sansho the Bailiff" with a rating of 8.1/10.

How many movies has Shōzō Nanbu acted in?

Shōzō Nanbu has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Shōzō Nanbu?

Other notable films include "Ugetsu", "The Ghost Cat and the Mysterious Shamisen", and "Broken Swords".

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