Review of Red Beard (1965) by John L — 17 Jun 2018
This is one of Kurosawa's masterpieces, undoubtedly overlooked some by its three hour length. I wouldn't cut a single scene to make it shorter. The critics who think it's "General Hospital" warmed over are, to be blunt about it, morons, but even morons are entitled to opinions, however feeble they might be.
A Kurosawa-Mifune action film like Seven Samurai it's not. It's much more thoughtful along the lines of another of his overlooked masterpieces about a mid-level bureaucrat, Ikiru, attempting to find meaning in his life.
Structured as a series of vignettes it shows a young doctor's transformation from his pride and elitist attitude to an appreciation and empathy for the humanity around him with the depth of the suffering some of it must endure in abhorrent social and economic conditions.
While some elements of the ending are predictable by the time it arrives, keeping it a mystery as some grand surprise isn't the objective, and rightfully so. Should give some pause for reflection within the audience about the humanity around them.
It is worth every minute of the three hours and it's no surprise Roger Ebert added it to his Great Movies list in 2010.
This review of Red Beard (1965) was written by John L on 17 Jun 2018.
Red Beard has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
