We lost one of cinema's greatest actors last week! Tatsuya Nakadai may not be a household name for you, but for us cinephiles, he's one of the greatest and most versatile actors of all time! He's most famous for his eleven collaborations with famed filmmaker, Masaki Kobayashi, ten films with iconic filmmaker, Hideo Gosha and his five films with the legendary Akira Kurosawa! My first time seeing Tatsuya was in Kobayashi's epic horror masterpiece, "Kwaidan" from 1964! 

His career (between stage and film) lasted over seven decades! His final stage performance was this past May in 2025! He was also featured in over 160 films! If you're looking for some films to watch, then I'd suggest the following:

"Harakari" (1962) Nakadai himself said numerous times that this was his finest role! Even if you have little to no understanding of Japanese culture and history, it's still one of the most powerful films (and gut wrenching, particularly for two powerful scenes)! Yes, you could classify this as a "Samurai film", but it's way more complex than that. You'll also notice how much Nakadai says with his eyes! Very few actors could communicate with their eyes like this! This was the film that made me take notice of Nakadai!

"The Human Condition" (1959-1961) Masaki Kobayashi gave Tatsuya Nakadai his BIG break in this powerful anti-war trilogy masterpiece! Not an easy watch, but it's a trio of films that EVERYONE needs to watch at least once. 

ALL of Tatsuya's collaborations with Akira Kurosawa are top notch cinema! 

"Yojimbo" (1961) & "Sanjuro" (1962) Tatsuya excelled as the ultimate bad guy in both of these Samurai films! Since Akira Kurosawa was inspired by American westerns directed by John Ford, it's no surprise that "Yojimbo" was remade a few years later in Italy, "A Fistful Of Dollars" that launched Clint Eastwood's legendary career!

"High And Low" (1963) Tatsuya co-stars as a police inspector who helps crack a kidnapping case. Apparently Akira Kurosawa wanted Nakadai to act like Henry Fonda. He even shaved his hairline to have that Henry Fonda look! 

"Kagemusha" (1980) Nakadai shines in a dual role in this epic masterpiece from Kurosawa's twilight years!

"Ran" (1985) Nakadai's final performance for Kurosawa is heartbreaking and unforgettable! Again, the emotions that he conveys with his eyes, speak a thousand words!

If you want to hear my episode honoring Tatsuya Nakadai, then listen below!