Sansho the Bailiff

is a 1954 Japanese period film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi based on a 1915 short story of the same name by Mori Ōgai (translated as "Sanshō the Steward" in English), which in turn was based on a sekkyo-bushi(oral lore) appearing in written form in the 17th century. It follows two aristocratic children who are sold into slavery.