Red Beard

( 5 )

Overview

Perhaps the clearest statement of the humanism that was the guiding force of Kurosawa's career, it was loosely inspired by the Dostoevsky story The Insulted and the Injured. One of the most difficult shoots in the history of Japanese film, its two arduous years of production were marred by a series of skirmishes between Kurosawa and Mifune which would eventually lead to the end of their long collaboration. On its surface, the dynamics of this master-student plot might seem trite, and indeed the film isn't without...
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Overview

Perhaps the clearest statement of the humanism that was the guiding force of Kurosawa's career, it was loosely inspired by the Dostoevsky story The Insulted and the Injured. One of the most difficult shoots in the history of Japanese film, its two arduous years of production were marred by a series of skirmishes between Kurosawa and Mifune which would eventually lead to the end of their long collaboration. On its surface, the dynamics of this master-student plot might seem trite, and indeed the film isn't without the odd moment of cornball sentiment, but on the whole, its exploration of the harrowing journey endured by the haughty young doctor and his subsequent transformation is far closer in spirit to Dostoevsky than Dr. Kildare. Eschewing the visual pyrotechnics and virtuoso editing of his action films, the director opts for stark, austere master scenes better suited to the grim atmosphere of the clinic which is both the sole lifeline of its desperate patients and a medical boot camp for the sullen Yasumoto. While hardly scanting the suffering of these people -- a gruesome operation and and the treatment of a sexually abused girl are especially memorable -- Kurosawa makes clear that it is ignorance and poverty which are the true source of their misery. Kayama gives a richly- textured performance as the sulky intern, and Mifune whose gruff character remains largely unexplored is as compelling as ever.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Michael Costello
Perhaps the clearest statement of the humanism that was the guiding force of Akira Kurosawa's career, it was loosely inspired by the Dostoevsky story The Insulted and the Injured. One of the most difficult shoots in the history of Japanese film, its two arduous years of production were marred by a series of skirmishes between Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune, which would eventually lead to the end of their long collaboration. On its surface, the dynamics of this master-student plot might seem trite, and indeed the film isn't without the odd moment of cornball sentiment, but on the whole, its exploration of the harrowing journey endured by the haughty young doctor and his subsequent transformation is far closer in spirit to Dostoevsky than Dr. Kildare. Eschewing the visual pyrotechnics and virtuoso editing of his action films, the director opts for stark, austere master scenes better suited to the grim atmosphere of the clinic which is both the sole lifeline of its desperate patients and a medical boot camp for the sullen Yasumoto. While hardly scanting the suffering of these people -- especially a gruesome operation and and the treatment of a sexually abused girl -- Kurosawa makes clear that it is ignorance and poverty which are the true source of their misery. Yuzo Kayama gives a richly textured performance as the sulky intern, and Mifune, whose gruff character remains largely unexplored is as compelling as ever.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 6/13/2000
  • UPC: 037429069332
  • Original Release: 1965
  • Source: Homevision
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Toshiro Mifune Kyojio Niide (Akahige), Kyojio Niide, 'Redbeard', Kyojio Nude (Akahige)
Yuzo Kayama Dr. Noboru Yasumoto
Tsutomu Yamazaki Sahachi
Kyoko Kagawa Mad Woman
Miyuki Kuwano Onaka
Kinuyo Tanaka Noboru's mother
Reiko Dan Osugi
Tatsuyoshi Ebara Genzo Tsugawa
Kamatari Fujiwara Rokusuke
Ken Mitsuda Masae's father
Koji Mitsui
Yoko Naito Masae
Reiko Nanao
Akemi Negishi Okumi
Terumi Niki Otoyo
Chishu Ryu Noboru's father
Takashi Shimura Tokubei Izumiya
Haruko Sugimura Kin
Eijiro Tono Goheiji
Yoshio Tsuchiya Handayu Mori
Yoshitaka Zushi Choiji
Technical Credits
Akira Kurosawa Director, Screenwriter
Masato Ide Screenwriter
Ryuzo Kikushima Producer, Screenwriter
Shinobu Muraki Production Designer
Yoshiro Muraki Production Designer
Asakazu Nakai Cinematographer
Asaichi Nakai Cinematographer
Hideo Oguni Screenwriter
Takao Saito Cinematographer
Masaru Sato Score Composer
Tomoyuki Tanaka Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 5 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(4)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    What a wonderful movie!

    Akira Kurosawa, one of the greatest filmakers, shares with us what a doctor should be in this wonderful movie. The movie emphasize that the doctors have responsibility to not only diagnose & prescribe but also to show moral support to the patients. Toshiro Mifune is again simply AMAZING. I feel like he is hiding his samurai sword somewhere. If you are a Akira Kurosawa fan or Mifune's fan, you shouldn't miss the movie.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

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    Posted November 11, 2009

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    Posted April 13, 2009

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    Posted July 26, 2010

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    Posted November 22, 2009

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Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews