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Red Beard - Criterion Collection Director: Akira Kurosawa Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Format: Black & White, Widescreen Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 185 minutes Studio: Criterion Collection Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2002-07-16 Buy from Amazon |
 "Touching Classic"As much as I'm a Mifune/Kurasawa fan I was concerned about the movie being three hours long when I saw the beginning. However after the story developed and gave us insight on the various characters I didn't want it to end. As usual the charismatic Mifune gave a powerhouse performance as Red Beard the head Doctor of the clinic who was very compassionate to his patients as well as those who surrounded him. It's just a pity that this was the last project Kurasawa and Mifune did together. Their collaboration remains sheer magic. "One of the master's best."Having recently seen "Red Beard" for the first time, I was taken by two things. First that Coppola's "White Dwarf" is a clear-cut remake of this film. Second that this one the best three hours I have spent watching a movie in a very long time. There is a soul and heart in this film that is lacking in most movies and enough to say that it artfully uses it 3 hours with grace. "Kurosawa's many last things"For those of you who don't know, Red Beard is without a doubt the last film of Kurosawa that is absolutely exceptional. Moreover, this film marks the end of many things for the director. First of all, this is the last movie where he works with Mifune. He spent nearly two years making this! It's understandable that they probably had their differences, which must have put quite a strain in their relationship. Red Beard is also Kurosawa's last black and white film. To most film fans of this genre, this is believed to also be his last film that shows so much emotion and complexity towards humans. One of the things I enjoyed most about this film was the cinematography. There are so many awesome scenes that Kurosawa films through wide lenses and long takes (Which I love). The musical score varies in emotion. This also has one of my favorite endings from a Kurosawa movie. While Seven Samurai had to be one of his best, this one was made after more than twenty years of experience from the most famous director in Japan, if not the world. In other words, Red Beard is the highest point of cinematic perfection for Akira Kurosawa.  "Red Beard, black and white emotions"Magisterial and impeccably executed, a perfectly designed, crafted, and carpentered movie. But, very stiff and wooden. Kurosawa's films up to Yojimbo were memorable for their sense of tension. Kurosawa always had a sentimental sermonizing streak, which, however, was thankfully held in check with vitality drawn from European and American influences. Red Beard seems to be modeled on the didacticism of Confucius. Kurosawa portrays the character of Red Beard as noble teacher and the poor as the salt-of-the-earth. Just when Japanese cinema was moving in exciting new directions, Kurosawa made his most old-fashioned movie. Still, it's a work of such fine craftmanship, care, and perfectionism, with such dedicated performances from everyone involved that it has to be considered a masterwork if not exactly a masterpiece. "Akira's Best"For all of you who are fans of Kurosawa and Mifune's work together, this is the absolute pinnacle of it (and the last as well.) It's a bit long, so if you aren't in the mood for an epic, try later. But if you are in for a patient and finally extremely rewarding film experience, than you can't do better. If you are interested, you won't even notice the 3hr.+ running time. If you're new to the duo, I'd recommend starting with Yojimbo. Clint fans will know! But this one is the best of Kurosawa and Mifune going back to "Drunken Angel." |
