
The Go Masters
Seen it?1982 | 123 min | Drama
Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe
With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Aimed squarely at people who like stories about real, flawed people. One to watch when you can give it your full attention.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Quiet, then quietly devastating, at 2 hr 3 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.
Ten years before the outbreak of the Second World War in Asia, a Japanese Go master and his Chinese rival meet in China to play a game of Go (loosely described as an Asian version of chess). It soon becomes evident that the Chinese master's son is the most talented player that the Japanese master has ever encountered, and he convinces the boy's father to let him bring the child back to Japan to train him as a professional Go player. Years pass, and as the young Chinese master grows to maturity in Japan, the Japanese invasion of China forces him to choose between his triumphant career and his loyalty to his native country. His decision is complicated by his marriage to the daughter of the Japanese master, with whom he has produced a child. His choice will profoundly alter the lives of two families. Their saga serves as a reflection of the tragic relations between their two great countries, and the possibility of reconciliation and healing.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 3K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
What Maisie KnewSunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
YojimboFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
BeastSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Goal!Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The NestSunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Duan Jishun, Junya Satō
- Rentaro Mikuni松波麟作
- Misako Konno巴
- Daolin Sun况易山
- Shen Guanchu况阿明
- Shen Danping阿惠
- Mayumi Ogawa杨夫人
- Huang Zongying婉怡
- Keiko Matsuzaka立花
- Du Peng关小舟
- Yu Shaokang张医生