Red Beard

Red Beard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Cast: Toshirō Mifune, Yūzō Kayama,Terumi Niki

Red Beard  a 1965 Japanese film directed by the acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.This film has a main plot about the relationship between a clinic chief doctor Dr. Kyojō Niide, (Toshirō Mifune) nicknamed Red Beard and his new joined trainee Dr. Noboru Yasumoto (Yūzō Kayama).This film also contains several sub plot characters and their own stories well-connected with the film which deals with social injustices and humanism.

Dr. Niide who runs a clinic by providing free treatments for the surrounding poor people has two trainees under him.The clinic has several wards for both men and women and has its own dedicated women cooks for preparing foods for the entire people in clinic. Dr. Yasumoto who visits the clinic one day for some enquiries, was forced to join in the clinic by Dr. Niide even though Dr. Yasumoto dislikes to join the clinic. Dr. Yasumoto was informed that working under Dr. Niide is really a tougher job but same time one can learn a lot from the clinic experience. Dr. Yasumoto refuses to wear the clinic uniform and also tries to break Dr. Niide rules.Later as the film moves into its sub plots in which Dr. Yasumoto has experiences from Rokusuke an old man on his death-bed,and with Sahachi a beloved patient for all the members in the clinic for his kind and helping nature to all concerns Dr. Yasumoto. Later Dr. Yasumoto involves himself dedicately with the clinic job.

One day from a brothel a 12-year-old girl Otoyo (Terumi Niki )  been rescued by both Dr. Niide and Dr. Yasumoto and brings her to the clinic for treatment. Dr. Niide  appoints Dr. Yasumoto for the complete take care of the Otoyo.Initially Otoyo refuses to co-operate with Dr. Yasumoto but later understands and believe with other members of the clinic.The final sub plot of the movie deals with a little poor boy who steals food from the clinic.Otoyo offers the little boy with food and requests him not to steal anymore.Finally the movie ends with Dr. Yasumoto’s marriage and his willingness to stay in the clinic itself throughout his life for the service of the poor by being poor himself accepting the situation for no money in return for his work.

Director Akira Kurosawa through this movie makes the viewers to re-think about the issues which the society is facing.He brialiantly deals the subjects such as social injustice,humanism,poverty through several sub plots in the film with required emotions.Movies which mainly ment for entertainment sometimes when handled by distinct directors such as Akira Kurosawa educates and makes one to even think and act towards righteousness. Red Beard is a must watch.