Ken Takakura

Acting

Ken Takakura

Born February 16, 1931 · Nakama, Fukuoka, Japan

Died November 10, 2014 · aged 83

Ken Takakura (高倉 健, Takakura Ken), born Gouichi Oda (February 16, 1931, in Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan), was a Japanese actor best known for his brooding style and the stoic presence he brings to his roles. Takakura gained his streetwise swagger and tough-guy persona watching yakuza turf battles over the lucrative black market and racketeering in postwar Fukuoka. This subject was covered in one of …

Known For

Black RainBlack Rain · 1989
Black Rain
6.61989
MovieDramaAction
Two New York cops get involved in a gang war between members of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. They arrest one of their killers and are ordered to escort him back to Japan. However, in Japan he manages to escape, and as they try to track him down, they get deeper and deeper into the Japanese Mafia scene and they have to learn that they can only win by playing the game—the Japanese way.
Too Late the HeroToo Late the Hero · 1970
Too Late the Hero
6.41970
MovieDramaAction
A WWII film set on a Pacific island. Japanese and allied forces occupy different parts of the island. When a group of British soldiers are sent on a mission behind enemy lines, things don't go exactly to plan. This film differs in that some of the 'heroes' are very reluctant, but they come good when they are pursued by the Japanese who are determined to prevent them returning to base.
The Big BossThe Big Boss · 1963
The Big Boss
1963
MovieCrimeDrama
A shooting incident occurs at the Asahina family gambling hall in Tokyo's Joto district. It is the work of Gaijin boss Brown and his henchman Yamaoka, whose territory is in the Jonan district, in response to Kikuya, the head of the Asahina family, refusing to join the Syndicate. Yamaoka relentlessly pursues the Asahina family and uses his brother Komatsu to kill Shibaki, Kikuya's brother, who owns Nagoya territory. When Kikuya receives information that a general meeting of the Brown and Yamaoka Syndicate is to be held in Nagoya, he is determined to root out the syndicate and rushes to Nagoya, ready to die...
Duel of the UnderworldDuel of the Underworld · 1963
Duel of the Underworld
7.01963
Movie
StationStation · 1981
Station
6.31981
MovieDramaThriller
A detective goes out of his way to crack the case of a serial killer who specialises in murdering police officers.
Main Street in the UnderworldMain Street in the Underworld · 1964
Main Street in the Underworld
6.11964
Movie
The Bullet TrainThe Bullet Train · 1975
The Bullet Train
6.91975
MovieActionCrime
A Japanese bullet train is threatened with a bomb that will explode automatically if the train slows below 80 km/h, unless a ransom is paid. Police race to find the bombers so the train crew can learn how to defuse the bomb.
Hishakaku and Kiratsune: A Tale of Two YakuzaHishakaku and Kiratsune: A Tale of Two Yakuza · 1968
Hishakaku and Kiratsune: A Tale of Two Yakuza
7.01968
MovieCrime
With his penultimate film, Uchida revisited one of his popular prewar titles, 1936’s Theatre of Life, an adaptation of Shiro Ozaki’s eponymous novel. Three-time Seijun Suzuki collaborator Goro Tanada wrote a gangsterized adaptation of Ozaki’s story for Uchida at a time when the yakuza had eclipsed the samurai genre as Toei's main cash crop. Protagonist Hishakaku murders a man in a quarrel over a barmaid and goes to jail. In his temporary absence, his girlfriend Otoyo, a former geisha, falls for Hishakaku’s brother, inciting a dangerous love triangle that, in typical yakuza fashion, ends tragically.

Movies

Black RainBlack Rain · 1989
Black Rain
6.61989
MovieDramaAction
Two New York cops get involved in a gang war between members of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. They arrest one of their killers and are ordered to escort him back to Japan. However, in Japan he manages to escape, and as they try to track him down, they get deeper and deeper into the Japanese Mafia scene and they have to learn that they can only win by playing the game—the Japanese way.
Too Late the HeroToo Late the Hero · 1970
Too Late the Hero
6.41970
MovieDramaAction
A WWII film set on a Pacific island. Japanese and allied forces occupy different parts of the island. When a group of British soldiers are sent on a mission behind enemy lines, things don't go exactly to plan. This film differs in that some of the 'heroes' are very reluctant, but they come good when they are pursued by the Japanese who are determined to prevent them returning to base.
The Big BossThe Big Boss · 1963
The Big Boss
1963
MovieCrimeDrama
A shooting incident occurs at the Asahina family gambling hall in Tokyo's Joto district. It is the work of Gaijin boss Brown and his henchman Yamaoka, whose territory is in the Jonan district, in response to Kikuya, the head of the Asahina family, refusing to join the Syndicate. Yamaoka relentlessly pursues the Asahina family and uses his brother Komatsu to kill Shibaki, Kikuya's brother, who owns Nagoya territory. When Kikuya receives information that a general meeting of the Brown and Yamaoka Syndicate is to be held in Nagoya, he is determined to root out the syndicate and rushes to Nagoya, ready to die...
Duel of the UnderworldDuel of the Underworld · 1963
Duel of the Underworld
7.01963
Movie
StationStation · 1981
Station
6.31981
MovieDramaThriller
A detective goes out of his way to crack the case of a serial killer who specialises in murdering police officers.
Main Street in the UnderworldMain Street in the Underworld · 1964
Main Street in the Underworld
6.11964
Movie
The Bullet TrainThe Bullet Train · 1975
The Bullet Train
6.91975
MovieActionCrime
A Japanese bullet train is threatened with a bomb that will explode automatically if the train slows below 80 km/h, unless a ransom is paid. Police race to find the bombers so the train crew can learn how to defuse the bomb.
Hishakaku and Kiratsune: A Tale of Two YakuzaHishakaku and Kiratsune: A Tale of Two Yakuza · 1968
Hishakaku and Kiratsune: A Tale of Two Yakuza
7.01968
MovieCrime
With his penultimate film, Uchida revisited one of his popular prewar titles, 1936’s Theatre of Life, an adaptation of Shiro Ozaki’s eponymous novel. Three-time Seijun Suzuki collaborator Goro Tanada wrote a gangsterized adaptation of Ozaki’s story for Uchida at a time when the yakuza had eclipsed the samurai genre as Toei's main cash crop. Protagonist Hishakaku murders a man in a quarrel over a barmaid and goes to jail. In his temporary absence, his girlfriend Otoyo, a former geisha, falls for Hishakaku’s brother, inciting a dangerous love triangle that, in typical yakuza fashion, ends tragically.
The YakuzaThe Yakuza · 1974
The Yakuza
7.11974
MovieCrimeDrama
When George Tanner does business with high-ranking Yakuza Tono, Tono kidnaps his daughter, and George summons his old friend, private eye Harry Kilmer, to Japan to investigate.
Railroad ManRailroad Man · 1999
Railroad Man
7.11999
MovieDrama
A railway stationmaster at a dying end-of-the-line village in Hokkaido is haunted by memories of his dead wife and daughter. When the railroad line is scheduled to be closed, he is offered a job at a hotel, but he is emotionally unable to part with his career as a railroader. His life takes a turn when he meets a young woman with an interest in trains who resembles his daughter.
ManhuntManhunt · 1976
Manhunt
6.21976
MovieActionCrime
A tough prosecutor is falsely accused of theft and goes on the run to clear his name. He is assisted by the beautiful daughter of a rich man.
Mr. BaseballMr. Baseball · 1992
Mr. Baseball
5.81992
MovieComedy
Jack Elliot, a one-time MVP for the New York Yankees is now on the down side of his baseball career. With a falling batting average, does he have one good year left and can the manager of the Chunichi Dragons, a Japanese Central baseball league find it in him?
The Biggest GambleThe Biggest Gamble · 1969
The Biggest Gamble
7.01969
MovieCrimeDrama
When Honjo is selected as Kansai district's chairman, Iwasa of the rival gang asks Itsuki to do everything possible to have Honjo step down, which puts Itsuki between a rock and a hard place.
The Yellow HandkerchiefThe Yellow Handkerchief · 1977
The Yellow Handkerchief
7.01977
MovieComedyDrama
A convict, newly released from prison for murder, joins two strangers on a road trip through Hokkaido to visit his ex-wife, whom he hasn't seen in four years, knowing that if she puts a yellow handkerchief on the window, it would mean that she wants him back at home.
Violent StreetViolent Street · 1963
Violent Street
1963
MovieCrime
1963 Toei film
The PledgeThe Pledge · 1972
The Pledge
5.81972
MovieDramaCrime
When Omuro Yahachi of the Omuro family is selected as Mutsumikai Soke's successor, the conflict between the Kitakyushu and Wakamatsu begins.
Jakoman and TetsuJakoman and Tetsu · 1964
Jakoman and Tetsu
7.31964
MovieDrama
In a village subsisting on its herring fishery, a one-eyed criminal named Jakoman terrorizes the inhabitants. One of them, the son of the head of one of the fish companies by the name of Tetsu, decides to overthrow Jakoman and his cohorts.
All RascalsAll Rascals · 1962
All Rascals
7.01962
MovieCrime
Ishihama is planning a casino robbery with his wife and mother-in-law. They meet a man named Tsuneda who is planning the same robbery and agree to work together.
Tokyo's  Business DistrictTokyo's Business District · 1962
Tokyo's Business District
1962
Movie
AntarcticaAntarctica · 1983
Antarctica
7.21983
MovieDramaAdventure
Two Japanese scientists, Ushioda and Ochi, develop a bond with their sled dogs while on an expedition in Antarctica.
Hell's KitchenHell's Kitchen · 1962
Hell's Kitchen
7.51962
MovieCrime
A Distant Cry from SpringA Distant Cry from Spring · 1980
A Distant Cry from Spring
7.41980
MovieDrama
The quiet life of a mother and her young son living on a farm in Hokkaido is changed by the arrival of a man who ignites flames of romance in the heart of the mother and shows her boy the importance of grit and kindness, but then he leaves with the autumn wind.
Mount HakkodaMount Hakkoda · 1977
Mount Hakkoda
6.61977
MovieDramaHistory
Two infantry regiments of the Imperial Japanese Army—210 men overall—tackled Mt. Hakkoda in the winter of 1902 to prepare for war with Russia.
Storm PartyStorm Party · 1964
Storm Party
9.01964
Movie
Many outlaws are gathered at the front line of the Japanese Army in a shock troop.

TV Shows

SMAP×SMAPSMAP×SMAP · 1996
SMAP×SMAP
8.51996
SeriesComedy
SMAP×SMAP was an ongoing weekly Japanese variety show on Kansai TV and Fuji TV starring the members of SMAP. The show began on April 15, 1996 and it aired from 22:00 to 22:54 every Monday. The show's usual ratings were higher than 20%, which is considered high since most variety shows range from 10-20%. Each episode begins a variety of skits, comedic performances, and/or games.  These are followed by Bistro SMAP, in which the SMAP members compete against each other to impress celebrity judges with their gourmet cooking.  Last is a musical performance by SMAP which may include celebrity guests, as well.
Older brotherOlder brother · 1977
Older brother
1977
SeriesDrama
The series tells about the life of construction foreman Eiji and his sister. Both have a love interest: she has a boyfriend, and he has a young girl. The sister is thinking about marriage, and the brother has too strict principles to recklessly rush into the abyss of passion.
Korekara: Umibe no TabibitotachiKorekara: Umibe no Tabibitotachi · 1993
Korekara: Umibe no Tabibitotachi
1993
SeriesDrama
Through the lives of people aging in a seaside retirement home, the drama depicts the aging process that comes to everyone.
An Elegy of TyroleAn Elegy of Tyrole · 1992
An Elegy of Tyrole
1992
SeriesDrama
In the past, it was bustling with coal mines, but due to the closure of the mine one after another, the city of Nupuka no Shiki in Hokkaido is currently suffering from depopulation. The mayor, Yamagata, is trying to revitalize the city by proceeding with the construction of the theme park "Tyrolean World" with capital participation from the Kanto Electric Railway in Tokyo. Tateishi, the head of the engineering department of the Kanto Electric Railway, is assigned to Hokkaido, leaving his daughter Aki in Tokyo to be responsible for the construction and operation of Tyrolean World. There he meets Kikukawa, whom Tateishi had dissuaded from committing suicide in the past. Soon complicated triangle forms, beetwen Tateishi feeling responsible for Kikukawa, his wife and Kikukawa himself, trying run from the situation.