Where to Watch The Lower Depths (1957) in the US

What it's about

In medieval Japan, aging Rokubei, his younger wife of four years Osugi and her uncle run a tenement complex at the bottom of a cliff, the complex which from the naked eye at the top of the cliff looks like nothing more than a rubbish heap. The tenants are a group of down-and-outers with some who operate on the far side of the law. Nonetheless, the tenants are close knit community in wallowing in their collective misery, those who care who know their lives will never get better as long as they stay there. The landlords have no compassion for the tenants, they mockingly only stating that the tenants will be given a favorable standing in a future life for any good deeds done around the tenement. The recent arrival of Kahei, a mysterious elderly man, affectionately referred to as Grandpa, who spins tales of the unknown, provides at least hope that there is a better life out there somewhere. Sutekichi, a thief who arguably is the leader among the tenants, and Osugi are carrying on an affair behind Rokubei's back. Although he has previously professed his love for her, the words were more an empty platitude. He begins to have feelings for Osugi's younger sister, Okaya, who works for her sister cleaning up the tenement under her watchful eye. Okaya does not know if she can trust the words of anyone who lives in the complex, while Osugi, who knows of Sutekichi feelings for Okaya, begins to have feelings of jealousy. Osugi and Sutekichi work toward their own goals at the expense of others within the complex.

Cast and crew

Director

Akira Kurosawa

Writer

Maxim Gorky, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni

Starring

Toshirô Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Kyôko Kagawa

Details

Release date

Oct 1, 1957

Language

Japanese

Country

Japan

Awards

5 wins total

Where to Watch The Lower Depths (1957) in the US — common questions

Where to watch The Lower Depths in the United States?

The Lower Depths is available with a subscription in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on The Criterion Channel (HD).

Can I stream The Lower Depths or do I have to rent it in the United States?

Watch the movie with a subscription on The Criterion Channel (HD).

Can I watch The Lower Depths for free in the United States?

We have not confirmed a free option for The Lower Depths in the United States.