Toshirō Mifune
- Acting
- April 1, 1920 · Qingdao, China
- December 24, 1997
Biography
Toshirō Mifune (April 1, 1920 - December 24, 1997) was a Japanese actor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Japanese cinema. He was born in Qingdao, China, but was raised in Japan. Mifune's career spanned over 50 years, during which he collaborated extensively with renowned director Akira Kurosawa, creating some of the most iconic films in Japanese cinema. Mifune gained international recognition for his performances in Kurosawa's films, particularly in samurai films. He portrayed strong, dynamic, and often rebellious characters, bringing a raw intensity to his roles. Some of his notable collaborations with Kurosawa include "Rashomon" (1950), "Seven Samurai" (1954), "Yojimbo" (1961), and "The Hidden Fortress" (1958), which inspired George Lucas's "Star Wars." Apart from his work with Kurosawa, Mifune appeared in numerous other films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He played roles in various genres, including dramas, comedies, and war films. Some of his other notable films include "The Throne of Blood" (1957), "High and Low" (1963), and "Red Beard" (1965). Mifune's charismatic presence, powerful performances, and ability to convey complex emotions made him an iconic figure in Japanese cinema. He received international recognition and awards for his contributions to the film industry, including several honors at the Venice Film Festival and a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Known for
Filmography
- Mifune: The Last Samurai · Self
- Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen · (archive footage)
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress' · Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Yojimbo' · Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'High and Low' · Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Sanjuro' · Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Seven Samurai' · Self
- Picture Bride · The Benshi
- Deep River · Tsukada
- Shadow of the Wolf · Kroomak
- Journey of Honor · Ieyasu Tokugawa
- Strawberry Road · Taoka
- Heaven and Earth: Dawn Episode · Nagao Tamekage
- Death of a Tea Master · Rikyu Sen-no
- cf Girl · Shūichirō Hase
- The Demon Comes in Spring · Kukkune no jî
- Princess from the Moon · Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
- The Retired Samurai · Hikozaemon Ōkubo
- Tora-san Goes North · Junkichi Ueno
- The Shatterer · Murai
- The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai · Kyūbei Matsufuji
- No More God, No More Love · Kōzō Kanzaki
- The Miracle of Joe, the Petrel · Fisherman
- Okita Soji: Swordsman of Fire · Shūsai Kondō
- Burning Mountain River · Otsuichi Amo
- Secret of the Forbidden Valley
- The Women of Osaka Castle · Tokugawa Ieyasu
- Lowly Ronin 6: Betrayal at Yatate Pass · Sûrônin Hinoki Sajûrô
- Battle Anthem · Admiral Heihachiro Togo
- Lowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl · Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô
- Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell · Sanjuro Hinoki
- The Brave Man Says Little
- Theater Of Life · Hyōtarō Aonari
- Lowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood · Sanjuro Hinoki
- Domineering · Masao Tadokoro
- The Challenge · Toru Yoshida
- The Lowly Ronin 3: Duel at Dawn
- Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2 · Tamon Umei
- Lowly Ronin · Sanjuro Hinoki
- Tuesday Suspense Theater
- The Bushido Blade · Shogun's Commander
- Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 1 · Tamon Umei
- Inchon · Saito-San
- Sekigahara · Sakon Shima
- Shogun · Lord Yoshi Toranaga
- Shōgun · Lord Yoshi Toranaga
- Port Arthur · Emperor Meiji
- 1941 · Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
- Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police · Sadanobu Matsudaira, Associate Producer
- The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi · Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"
- Winter Kills · Keith
- The 47 Ronins of Ako · Tachibana Sakon
- Lord Mito · Sakuzaemon Okumura
- The Fall of Ako Castle · Tsuchiya Michinao
- Japanese Godfather: Conclusion · Kosuke Oishi
- Love and Faith · Taiko Hideyoshi
- Shag · Captain Takeo Murata, Executive producer
- Shogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy · Yoshinao Tokugawa
- Falcons of Edo · Kanbei Uchiyama
- Japanese Godfather: Ambition · Kosuke Oishi
- Proof of the Man · Yohei Kori
- Midway · Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
- Ronin in a Lawless Town · Mr. Danna
- Paper Tiger · Ambassador Kagoyama
- Ronin of the Wastelands · Kujuro Toge, Associate Producer
- Red Sun · Kuroda Jubei
- V.I.P. Schaukel · Self
- Morning for Two · Producer
- Epic Chushingura · Oishi Kuranosuke
- The Militarists · Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
- The Walking Major · Kinugasa Tadao
- Incident at Blood Pass · Yojimbo, Producer
- The Ambitious · Shojiro Goto
- Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo · Yojimbo/Sasa
- Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor · Isami Kondo, Producer
- Red Lion · Gonzo, Producer
- Battle of the Japan Sea · Admiral Heihachiro Togo
- Safari 5000 · Yūichirō Takase
- Samurai Banners · Kansuke Yamamoto, Producer
- Hell in the Pacific · Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda