Great Film

Akira Kurosawa is by far the best Japanese director. His last film with Toshiro Mifune was Red Beard. Kurosawa always directs his films ona personal level, and this film is no exception. Toshiro Mifune plays Jyoji Niide (Red Beard[Aka Hige]), a head doctor at a medical clinic for the lower class. Yuzo Kayama plays Yasumoto, a cock young doctor who studied at a Dutch Medical school in Nagasaki. Though both Mifune and Kayamas' characters clash they eventially begin to understand one another, and Mifune allows Kayama to blossum into a respectful young man. This film one of the best films every made because, it properly depicts the goodness of man kind, and the struggle that many have to go through just to survive. I owned the origonal TOHO release of this DVD and the Criterion Collection release in 2002 is up to par. I highly recommend this film to any Kurosawa or Mifune fan, or anyone who would like to experience Japanese culture and wisdom.

touching and masterful

One of Kurosawa's great masterpieces of cinema, which has the dubious distinction of being the director's final collaboration with the incomparable Toshiro Mifune. But they went out in style with Mifune starring as a feisty doctor -- called Red Beard -- in charge of a clinic for the local poor. He subsidizes his work by also treating the idle rich.

A young doctor comes to the clinic and, thinking himself meant for better, refuses to take much part in it at first. Little by little, however, he is captivated by Red Beard's skill and the comfort he brings to his patients, and becomes part of its family.

While this is a very simplistic summary, suffice it to say that the cinematic tapestry the Kurosawa weaves with his wonderful characters and story lines is elaborate, multi-textured, humorous, and heart-breaking.

The Criterion DVD is painstakingly rendered with a multitude of extras, including full-length commentary, which only ad to the pleasure of this extraordinary film.

great product. nice price.

works perfectly. great movie. I love kurosawa and this is one of his best. His last black and white film is shot beautifully and is also his last movie to star Toshiro Mifune. It is a landmark in japanese cinema.