This documentary on the life of the great star Tsumasaburo Bando is directed by the master katsuben Shunsui Matsuda and includes a wealth of material from his private film archive, the silents reproduced here in the traditional manner with benshi and musical accompaniment. Noted film historian and critic Tadao Sato wrote the script and conducted interviews with directors, actors, and family members to create a stunningly complete portrait of Bando, who reigned supreme among film stars for thirty years, from 1923 to his death in 1953 at the age of 51. Bando's own contribution to the jidai-geki (historical pageant) was significant, and the film illustrates his own and others' innovations in the choreographing of samurai scenes. Made in 1979, Bantsuma: The Life of Tsumasaburo Bando remained unshown for nine years, having its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in March 1988, just months after the death of Shunsui Matsuda.