Review of Red Beard (1965) by Kiko E — 02 Aug 2014
The final film Toshiro Mifune would make with Akira Kurosawa, one of the most fruitful partnerships in movie history. Red Beard is a not a samurai epic but a quiet, bittersweet swan song about a young doctor and his mentor Niige (Mifune) Niige runs a tight ship and is considered strict buy his staff but he is respected and beloved and has a kind heart despite his gruff exterior.
The main protagonist of the movie is Noboru, fresh out of medical school. The young doctor doesn't want to work in the clinic and considers it beneath him. He was expecting a prestigious position as a head doctor for the shogunate and rebels at first.
He is ultimately won over by the staff and the patients and discovers there's a lot to learn from them. There's a scene that feels out of place with the movies tone when Niige and his apprentice go to a brothel to treat a prostitute and discover a young girl forced to work there.
Niige wants to take her away but the head mistress calls on a gang of thugs to stop the doctors. In typical Mifune fashion he kicks everyone's ass and breaks their bones then has the Noboru tend to them.
A great movie that is a little over long at times with a 3 hour run time.
This review of Red Beard (1965) was written by Kiko E on 02 Aug 2014.
Red Beard has generally received very positive reviews.
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