| Red Beard (1965), 
				Director: Akira Kurosawa, Not Rated 
						What is 
						the key to life - power, prestige or peace? 
				
				  Starring: 
				Toshirô Mifune, Yûzô Kayama, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Reiko Dan, Miyuki 
				Kuwano, Kyôko Kagawa, Tatsuyoshi Ehara, Terumi Niki 
DML Rating: 
★★★★★★★★★☆ 
- near perfect 
				"The pain and loneliness of 
				death frighten me. But Dr. Niide looks at it differently. He 
				looks into their hearts as well as their bodies." – Dr. 
				Handayu Mori 
				Why watch this? This 
				thoughtful drama may be Kurosawa's more undervalued masterpiece. 
				Plot Summary: 
				When a young, arrogant, idealistic doctor is sent do a rural, 
				late 19th century clinic, he is not happy about it. His new 
				mentor is Dr. Niide, known as Akahige ("Red Beard"). Niide's 
				outwardly gruff exterior hides a wise, compassionate healer who 
				ministers to the poor and forgotten of the region. There are 
				several patients, but the most compelling is a young girl whom 
				they rescue from a brothel. She is severely damaged, and her 
				recovery is inspiring. Dad's Preview:  One of the universal themes here is 
				stripping away preconceived notions when faced with life's 
				realities. This was lead actor Toshirô Mifune's 16th and last collaboration with director 
				Kurosawa. This swan song performance may be this best. I personally was delighted to see the usually fierce Mifune finally break into a gentle smile.  
						 Toho
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