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.
Movies
Rashomon
Tajômaru
The Hidden Fortress
General Rokurota Makabe
Throne of Blood
Taketori Washizu
Grand Prix
Izo Yamura
Incident at Blood Pass
Yojimbo
Stray Dog
Det. Murakami
I Live in Fear
Kiichi Nakajima
1941
Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Sanjuro
Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
The Bad Sleep Well
Kôichi Nishi
Red Sun
Kuroda Jubei
Hell in the Pacific
Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
Yojimbo
Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
The Idiot
Denkichi Akama
Drunken Angel
Matsunaga
Scandal
Ichirô Aoye
Death of a Tea Master
Rikyu Sen-no
High and Low
Kingo Gondo
The Lower Depths
Sutekichi the Thief
Samurai Rebellion
Isaburo Sasahara
Winter Kills
Keith
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
Yojimbo/Sasa
The Life of Oharu
Katsunosuke
The Quiet Duel
Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor
Isami Kondo
47 Ronin
Genba Tawaraboshi
Proof of the Man
Yohei Kori
The Challenge
Toru Yoshida
Japan's Longest Day
War Minister General Korechika Anami
Samurai Pirate
Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]
Shadow of the Wolf
Kroomak
Samurai Banners
Kansuke Yamamoto
The Sword of Doom
Toranosuke Shimada
The Fall of Ako Castle
Tsuchiya Michinao
Attack Squadron
Lt. Colonel Senda
Princess from the Moon
Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
Adventure in Kigan Castle
Osami
Samurai Assassin
Tsuruchiyo Niiro
Vendetta of a Samurai
Mataemon Araki
Paper Tiger
Ambassador Kagoyama
Red Lion
Gonzo
Desperado Outpost
Battalion Commander
Battle of the Japan Sea
Admiral Heihachiro Togo
Snow Trail
Eijima
The Important Man
Ánimas Trujano
Yagyu Secret Scrolls
Tasaburo
Inchon
Saito-San
The Bushido Blade
Shogun's Commander
The Sands of Kurobe
Kitagawa
Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II
Tasaburo
Fort Graveyard
Sergeant Kosugi
The Last Gunfight
Detective Saburo Fujioka
Samurai Saga
Heihachiro Komaki
Whirlwind
Lord Akashi
Lowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood
Sanjuro Hinoki
Lowly Ronin
Sanjuro Hinoki
The Three Treasures
Prince Yamato Takeru
Wedding Ring
Takeshi Ema
Daredevil in the Castle
Mohei
Lowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl
Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô
Journey of Honor
Lord Ieyasu
Shogun's Samurai
Lord of Owari
Sasaki Kojiro
Miyamoto Musashi
Safari 5000
A Wife's Heart
Kenkichi
Admiral Yamamoto
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Rise Against the Sword
Abare Gōemon
Red Beard
Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
Conduct Report on Professor Ishinaka
Teisaku Nagasawa
Deep River
Tsukada
Love and Faith
Taiko Hideyoshi
Picture Bride
The Benshi
Port Arthur
Emperor Meiji
Shag
Midway
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
The Storm of the Pacific
Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
The Ambitious
Shojiro Goto
The Day the Sun Rose
Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell
Sanjuro Hinoki
Eagle of the Pacific
1st Lieutenant Tomonaga
Battle Anthem
Admiral Heihachiro Togo
No More God, No More Love
The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai
The Militarists
Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
The Gambling Samurai
Kunisada Chuji
Domineering
Masao Tadokoro
Saga of the Vagabonds
Rokuro Kai
No Time for Tears
Mifune: The Last Samurai
Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)
Tora-san Goes North
Junkichi Ueno
The Life of a Horse Trader
Yonetaro Katayama
The Big Boss
Kashimura
The Shatterer
Murai
Beyond Love and Hate
Foghorn
Chiyokichi
The Last Embrace
The Underworld
Man Against Man
Kaji
Sword for Hire
Sasa Hayatenosuke
The Retreat from Kiska
Omura
The Rickshaw Man
Matsugoro
Kurosawa
Self (archive footage)
Theater Of Life
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress'
Self
The Youth and His Amulet
Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
The Miracle of Joe, the Petrel
Fisherman
Lord Mito
Sakuzaemon Okumura
Japanese Godfather: Conclusion
Kosuke Oishi
Tokyo Sweetheart
Kurokawa
Legacy of the 500,000
Takeichi Matsuo
The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi
Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"
Lowly Ronin 6: Betrayal at Yatate Pass
Sûrônin Hinoki Sajûrô
The Lowly Ronin 3: Duel at Dawn
Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police
Strawberry Road
Taoka
Down Town
The Masterless 47 – Part II
The Man Who Came to Port
Goro Niinuma
Good Luck to These Two
Toshio Maruyama
Japanese Godfather: Ambition
Kosuke Oishi
Seven Samurai
Kikuchiyo
Scoundrel
Jinsei Gekijo
Swift Current
My Wonderful Yellow Car
Matsumura
Sunflower Girl
Ippei Hitachi
Heaven and Earth: Dawn Episode
A Man Among Men
Maki
Sanshiro Sugata
Shogoro Yano
These Foolish Times
Genzaburo Ohno, Gang Boss
Charles Bronson: The Spirit of Masculinity
Self (archive footage)
The Walking Major
Kinugasa Tadao
Lee Marvin: A Personal Portrait by John Boorman
Self (archive footage)
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 1
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2
Meeting of the Ghost of Apres-Guerre
Kenji Kawakami
Pirates
Tora
Jakoman and Tetsu
Tetsu
Who Knows a Woman's Heart
Mizuno
The Surf
Skipper of the Utashima-maru
The Black Fury
Eiichi Tsuda
Rainy Night Duel
Masahiko Koseki
Elegy
Daisuke Toki
Kin no tamago: Golden Girl
Yaji and Kita on the Road
Toshinoshin Taya
All About Marriage
Acting teacher
A Holiday in Tokyo
Escape from Prison
Shinkichi
Secret of the Forbidden Valley
The Demon Comes in Spring
Doburoku no Tatsu
Tatsu
cf Girl
The Making of '1941'
(archive)
Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions
Self
Rebels on the High Sea
Matsuo Tokuzô
The Mad Atlantic
Heihachirô Murakami
A Man in the Storm
Saburô Watari
Settlement of Love
Shuntaro Ohira
A Dangerous Hero
The Masterless 47
Kazuo Momoi
All is Well
Taichi Daikichi
All is Well 2
Taichi Daikichi
Three Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong
Zhang Zhizhang
The Retired Samurai
Shows
Shōgun
Lord Yoshi Toranaga
V.I.P. Schaukel
Self
Falcons of Edo
Kanbei Uchiyama
Epic Chushingura
Oishi Kuranosuke
Ronin of the Wastelands
Kujuro Toge
Ronin in a Lawless Town
Mr. Danna
Burning Mountain River
Otsuichi Amo
Sekigahara
Sakon Shima
Tuesday Suspense Theater
The 47 Ronins of Ako
Tachibana Sakon