Red Beard (1965): cast, story & where to watch
1965 · Film · ★ 8.1
Released in 1965, Red Beard is a drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa, running about 185 minutes. “What is the key to life - power, prestige or peace?” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. Red Beard stars Toshirō Mifune as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard"), Yûzô Kayama as Dr. Noboru Yasumoto, Tsutomu Yamazaki as Sahachi and Reiko Dan as Osugi, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.1/10, Red Beard sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Red Beard page.
If you liked it. Fans of Red Beard tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Red Beard (1965)?
- In US, Red Beard is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Red Beard worth watching?
- Red Beard holds an audience score of 8.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Red Beard?
- Red Beard stars Toshirō Mifune, Yûzô Kayama, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Reiko Dan and Miyuki Kuwano.
- When was Red Beard released?
- Red Beard was released in 1965, with a runtime of about 185 minutes.