Rating: 
Summary: Too preachy.
Review: RED BEARD is a decent enough film, but far too long for the storyline Kurosawa provides. The movie reminds me of some of the better Chinese communist flims of the 1960s, which may have been influenced by RED BEARD, for all I know. But there are distinct similarities, not least of which is the promotion of the idea in this movie that the upper classes are basically morally inferior (perhaps), and that the downtrodden underclasses are morally superior to those who exploit them.Toshiro Mifune, of course, dominates the film in his role as the selfless physician who gives free medical care to the poor peasants and prostitutes who come to him for aid. At the same time, he charges handsomely for the medical advice he doles out to the rich landowners, using those profits to provide for those less fortunate. It's an uplifting film with a strong socialist agenda, but far too cloying for my tastes. Still and all...it's Akira Kurosawa, and he's better than almost everyone, even when he misses the mark.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Kurosawa
Review: The last collaboration in a long and fruitlful one, Red Beard ushers in the beginning of new chapter for both Mifune and Kurosawa, but marks the ending of one of the most intruiging collaborations in film history. This is Mifune's second best performance behind Yojimbo. Classic Kurosawa, classic movie, classic Red Beard.
Rating:
Summary: Red Beard moves you in so many ways...
Review: The legendary Toshirô Mifune has the part of Red Beard, a name that is self-explanatory. One day a young doctor by the name Noboru Yasumoto (Yuzo Kayama) arrives at Red Beard's welfare hospital where he is to replace a colleague who anxiously wants to leave. Noboru has big plans for the future as he wants to be the Shogun's personal doctor. However, this new assignment will be an obstacle to his ambitions, since the new position forces him to confront his personal expectations as well as Red Beard. Red Beard requires contemplation by the audience otherwise much will be missed, which makes the cinematic experience grand.
Rating:
Summary: STRONG
Review: This is a strong film. This is a film I recommend all everybody to see (young and old). This is a film all doctors (especially fresh graduates) should see! This film is totally uptodate, tackling the most rotten parts in us, in society. This film has stories to tell: stories that touch your heart and make you cry and make you laugh and make you want to change; stories about dignity, wisdom, strength and love. This film is so well made and so well acted.
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing
Review: This is an Epic movie. It is the cure for the vanity of self indulgence. The love that is internalized will be returned.
Rating:
Summary: Akahige
Review: This is simply the best film I've ever seen in my entire life. I've studied the films of Kurosawa Akira thoroughly and my opinion remains deeply rooted. In a previous review of Akahige, one person mentioned the scene in which the the maids and Otoyo are screaming Chobo's name down the well. This person said this was the best scene. I have to disagree because it makes the viewer think too much about the camera, sucking the emotion out of the scene and replacing it with curiosity as to how the scene was filmed. This is a problem that occurs over and over and over again in the Wachowski brother's Matrix films. The viewer thinks about how it was really accomplished, not about any sort of sentimental value. Other than that scene, which, actually, I believe is the worst scene, the movie is so great that it can hardly even be described in words alone. In fact, it can't because words and cinema are two different things. Watch this movie. Just to give a little historical background, this is the final collaboration (made in 1965) between Kurosawa Akira (said to be the greatest director ever) and Mifune Toshiro (said to be the greatest actor ever). I'd also suggest watching the rest of Kurosawa Akira's films first, especially Drunken Angel, which happens to be the first time Kurosawa Akira and Mifune Toshiro worked together. Kurosawa had never really been impressed by any actor/actress before he met Mifune. He claimed that Mifune could do in one movement what a normal actor would take three movements to express. He had just been discharged from the Japanese military and starred in half of Kurosawa Akira's films, which is quite a lot. After all, Kurosawa directed approximately thirty films in his lifetime, including such flicks as Sugata Sanshiro, Drunken Angel, The Seven Samurai, and Kagemusha. So, all in all, this is the best film ever. One flaw is its length though, as other reviewers have mentioned. It's difficult to watch a three hour film over and over again due to its sheer size. I'm still collecting Kurosawa Akira's films, but no collection would be complete without Akahige.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: This is the most beautiful movie; its more like a long dance. I was scanning the DVD slowly during a few scenes and was mesmerized by the movements. I think it took me about 5 hours to watch it the first time (yesteday). Toshiro Mifune is the finest & most versatile actor ever, and when he works with the best director ever its always magic. I've seen many of Mifune's films with and without Kurasawa. I just needed to tell someone who could appreciate why! And I agree with the reviewer who pointed out the scene when Chobo was ill and the women were looking down the well. When Otoya's teardrop fell... well, it was brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Seven Samurai
Review: This movie is long and boring but do not despair there is nudity in this film. Over all Seven Samurai is more entertaining but this film has nudity and that makes all the diffrence. So the age old debate has ended, What Akira Kurosawa film is better Seven Samurai or Red Beard? The answer is simple nudity wins every time.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Kurosawa film
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
Red Beard released in Japan with the title "Akahige" is Kurosawa's final black and white film. It is also the final collaboration with famed Japanese actor, Toshiro Mifune.
Mifune stars as late 19th century medical clinic director, Dr. Kyojio "Akahige" Niide. The film portrays post graduate training done by a medical school graduate, Noboru Yasumoto who is having an internship at the clinic. This clinic is in a very rural area and therefore looks like one of an even earlier time. He helps out in several ways and eventually rescues an abused woman from a local brothel.
The film has some fine scenes and excellent photography. There are some scenes which squeamish audiences will probably not like. The most likely scene to upset people is a non-graphic scene where a nude woman is having surgery while conscious but drugged, and from the dialogue, I assume it is an appendectomy. The film remains poplar and is a good portrayal of 19th century medecine in the East.
The are also 2 special features on the DVD. There is a theatrical trailer and audio commentary by Stephen Prince, a noted scholar on Kurosawa films.
This is a good film for doctors, historians, and of course, Kurosawa fans.
Rating:
Summary: want to know what japan was like at the turn of the century?
Review: this was one of the best japanesse movies that i have ever watched. The story line is catchy and engulfs you the moment you start the movie...this is one of those movies that even if you don't like subtitles you are entranced to keep going. This movie shows you what life was really like in japan at the turn of the century. i would suggest this movie...it is even better than seven samuri.
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