Red Beard
Aspiring to an easy job as personal physician to a wealthy family, Noboru Yasumoto is disappointed when his first post after medical school takes him to a small country clinic under the gruff doctor Red Beard. Yasumoto rebels in numerous ways, but Red Beard proves a wise and patient teacher. He gradually introduces his student to the unglamorous side of the profession, ultimately assigning him to care for a prostitute rescued from a local brothel.
Critics Sentiment
Yasumoto rejects Shogunate position to stay with poor
Yasumoto refuses duties and rebels against clinic director
The film rises dramatically from Yasumoto's petulant rebellion to his inspiring final choice to serve the poor over personal ambition.
Red Beard builds steadily from a somewhat predictable opening through increasingly powerful patient stories and character development. The film reaches its emotional peak in the final act as Yasumoto's transformation culminates in his selfless choice to reject prestige for service. Critics consistently praise the film's humanitarian message and inspirational conclusion despite some finding the early pacing slow.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 56
Toshirō Mifune
Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
Yūzō Kayama
Dr. Noboru Yasumoto
Tsutomu Yamazaki
Sahachi
Reiko Dan
Osugi
Miyuki Kuwano
Onaka
Kyōko Kagawa
Madwoman ("The Mantis")
Tatsuyoshi Ehara
Genzô Tsugawa
Terumi Niki
Otoyo
Akemi Negishi
Okuni
Yoshitaka Zushi
Chobo
Yoshio Tsuchiya
Dr. Handayû Mori
Eijirō Tōno
Goheiji
Takashi Shimura
Tokubei Izumiya
Chishū Ryū
Mr. Yasumoto
Haruko Sugimura
Kin, the madam
Kinuyo Tanaka
Madame Yasumoto
Eijirō Yanagi
Madwoman's father
Kōji Mitsui
Heikichi
Kō Nishimura
Chief retainer
Nobuo Chiba
Matsudaira
Crew
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