The Mikado
1939 • 91 min • Romance · Comedy · Music
Synopsis
In a small Japanese town, Ko-Ko is appointed to the unenviable position of executioner. Knowing he must successfully perform before the appearance of the Mikado in a month's time, Ko-Ko finds a suitable victim in Nanki-Poo, who is distraught over his unrequited love for the maiden Yum-Yum. Nanki-Poo agrees to sacrifice his life if he is allowed to spend his remaining days with Yum-Yum, who is betrothed to Ko-Ko.
Our family guide
Best from age 8- 70 Audience · 32 · 100%
In a fantastical Japanese town, an executioner faces a dilemma when a lovesick musician offers his life for a month with his beloved. This classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta features mistaken identities and comedic resolutions to romantic woes.
- Violence & peril
- 1/10
- Language
- 0/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 0/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 1/10
- Scary moments
- 0/10
Heads up
- Dated cultural depictions
- Stylized comic situations
What it models well
- Love and devotion
- Clever problem-solving
- Humor and wit
Talk about it after
- The historical context of the production
- Cultural representation then vs. now
- The meaning of different character roles
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Mikado. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
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Top billed cast
Director: Victor Schertzinger • Crew: William S. Gilbert
Trailers & clips
THE MIKADO (1939) Trailer - The Criterion Collection
Reviewer notes
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 7.0/10 (32)
- Age rating
- G
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $165,000
- IMDb
- tt0031650