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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

R Released May 18, 1999 1h 56m Crime Drama TRAILER for List
84% Tomatometer 106 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) is a contract killer, a master of his trade who can whirl a gun at warp speed and moves through this world like a phantom -- stealthy and evanescent. In the spirit of the samurai, he has pledged his loyalty to a small time mobster named Louie (John Tormey) who saved his life many years before.
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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

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Critics Consensus

An innovative blend of samurai and gangster lifestyles.

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Critics Reviews

View All (106) Critics Reviews
Anton Bitel Little White Lies what might sound like an ordinary gangster picture is in fact a rich amalgam of crisscrossing genres, where East meets West and culture itself follows more than one Way. Nov 17, 2023 Full Review Kambole Campbell One Room With A View Even when aware of all the strange, disparate elements, it still surprises. Aug 25, 2018 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out At once a tribute to traditional notions of honour, loyalty, friendship and professionalism, and a stylish, ironic pastiche inspired by the likes of Melville and Suzuki, it's very funny, insightful, and highly original. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Jarmusch, with his aesthetic density, manages to direct it with a balance that never loses its sense of irony when it questions the various cultural stereotypes that build his dialectical discourse on the master and the vassal. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 7/10 Aug 5, 2024 Full Review Jack Gross Loud and Clear Reviews Its tone is elusive, existing somewhere between nostalgic, melancholic, resigned, and optimistic. Above all else, though, it’s truly unlike any film you’ve seen before, operating as a functional pastiche of so many great works of art. Rated: 5/5 Aug 3, 2024 Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch It almost feels like we’re in another world: Jarmusch [blurs] out everything else so the movie becomes a meditation on the impulse to moralize one’s misdoings by subscribing to rigid definitions of “honor.” [...] A bone-deep reflective masterpiece. Nov 25, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Oscar J My favorite movie. A sort of old school / underground version of Leon / Kill Bill with a lot of philosophy Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/24 Full Review Chris F Ghost Dog is able to ooze style while also having some real hard-hitting action. I enjoyed it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/27/24 Full Review Tazer F East meets west. Critics and audience are in harmony. We need this. ☯️ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/30/24 Full Review matthew p Amazing film on so many levels. One of those films you can watch again and again. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/03/24 Full Review James B interesting jim jarmusch film great soundtrack good acting Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/23/24 Full Review Spencer P Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is a film that differentiates itself from any other mob/action film. This film almost reminds me of Leon: The Professional in its pacing and stylistic choices. Not the greatest film of all time, but definitely worth a watch, you will not leave disappointed. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

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Cast & Crew

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Cold Lampin' with Flavor Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Cold Lampin' with Flavor 3:20 Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Final Shootout Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Final Shootout 2:16 Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - I'm Your Retainer Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - I'm Your Retainer 1:45 Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - The Bird Man Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - The Bird Man 2:26 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) is a contract killer, a master of his trade who can whirl a gun at warp speed and moves through this world like a phantom -- stealthy and evanescent. In the spirit of the samurai, he has pledged his loyalty to a small time mobster named Louie (John Tormey) who saved his life many years before.
Director
Jim Jarmusch
Producer
Richard Guay, Jim Jarmusch
Screenwriter
Jim Jarmusch
Distributor
Artisan Entertainment
Production Co
Le Studio Canal +, Pandora Filmproduktion GmbH, Plywood Productions, Bac Films, JVC Entertainment, Degeto Film
Rating
R (Strong Violence|Language)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 18, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 12, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.3M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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