Tokyo Drifter (1966): cast, story & where to watch
1966 · Film · ★ 7.2
Released in 1966, Tokyo Drifter is an action and crime film directed by Seijun Suzuki, running about 83 minutes.
What it’s about. After yakuza boss Kurata dissolves his own criminal empire, a rival kingpin offers a position to Kurata's top operative, Tetsuya "Phoenix Tetsu" Hondo. When the fiercely loyal Tetsu declines, Otsuka taps unstoppable Tatsuzo the "Viper", a ruthless gun-for-hire, to assassinate him. As the Viper trails his target through the countryside, the agile Phoenix Tetsu grows concerned that one of his former associates has betrayed him.
Who’s in it. Tokyo Drifter stars Tetsuya Watari as Tetsuya "Phoenix Tetsu" Hondo, Chieko Matsubara as Chiharu, Tamio Kawachi as Tatsuzo the Viper and Hideaki Nitani as Kenji Aizawa, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.2/10, Tokyo Drifter has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Tokyo Drifter page.
If you liked it. Fans of Tokyo Drifter tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Tokyo Drifter (1966)?
- In US, Tokyo Drifter is available to stream on Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Tokyo Drifter worth watching?
- Tokyo Drifter holds an audience score of 7.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action and crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Tokyo Drifter?
- Tokyo Drifter stars Tetsuya Watari, Chieko Matsubara, Tamio Kawachi, Hideaki Nitani and Eiji Gō.
- When was Tokyo Drifter released?
- Tokyo Drifter was released in 1966, with a runtime of about 83 minutes.