Toshirō Mifune
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- April 1, 1920
- Died
- December 24, 1997
- Birthplace
- Qingdao, China
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.
Filmography
Mifune: The Last Samurai 2016
as Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen 2012
as (archive footage)
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Seven Samurai' 2002
as Self
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Sanjuro' 2002
as Self
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'High and Low' 2002
as Self
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Yojimbo' 2002
as Self
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress' 2002
as Self
Picture Bride 1995
as The Benshi
Deep River 1995
as Tsukada
Shadow of the Wolf 1992
as Kroomak
Strawberry Road 1991
as Taoka
Journey of Honor 1991
as Ieyasu Tokugawa
Heaven and Earth: Dawn Episode 1990
as Nagao Tamekage
cf Girl 1989
as Shūichirō Hase
Death of a Tea Master 1989
as Rikyu Sen-no
The Demon Comes in Spring 1989
as Kukkune no jî
Princess from the Moon 1987
as Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
The Retired Samurai 1987
as Hikozaemon Ōkubo
Tora-san Goes North 1987
as Junkichi Ueno
The Shatterer 1987
as Murai
The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai 1986
as Kyūbei Matsufuji
No More God, No More Love 1985
as Kōzō Kanzaki
The Miracle of Joe, the Petrel 1984
as Fisherman
Okita Soji: Swordsman of Fire 1984
as Shūsai Kondō
Secret of the Forbidden Valley 1983
Actor
The Women of Osaka Castle 1983
as Tokugawa Ieyasu
Lowly Ronin 6: Betrayal at Yatate Pass 1983
as Sûrônin Hinoki Sajûrô
Battle Anthem 1983
as Admiral Heihachiro Togo
Lowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl 1983
as Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô
Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell 1983
as Sanjuro Hinoki
Theater Of Life 1983
as Hyōtarō Aonari
Domineering 1982
as Masao Tadokoro
Lowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood 1982
as Sanjuro Hinoki
The Challenge 1982
as Toru Yoshida
The Lowly Ronin 3: Duel at Dawn 1982
Actor
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2 1982
as Tamon Umei
Lowly Ronin 1981
as Sanjuro Hinoki
The Bushido Blade 1981
as Shogun's Commander
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 1 1981
as Tamon Umei
Inchon 1981
as Saito-San
Shogun 1980
as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
Port Arthur 1980
as Emperor Meiji
1941 1979
as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police 1979
as Sadanobu Matsudaira, Associate Producer
The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi 1979
as Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"
Winter Kills 1979
as Keith
Lord Mito 1978
as Sakuzaemon Okumura
The Fall of Ako Castle 1978
as Tsuchiya Michinao
Japanese Godfather: Conclusion 1978
as Kosuke Oishi
Love and Faith 1978
as Taiko Hideyoshi
Shag 1978
as Captain Takeo Murata, Executive Producer
Shogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy 1978
as Yoshinao Tokugawa
Japanese Godfather: Ambition 1977
as Kosuke Oishi
Proof of the Man 1977
as Yohei Kori
Midway 1976
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Paper Tiger 1975
as Ambassador Kagoyama
Red Sun 1971
as Kuroda Jubei
Morning for Two 1971
Producer
The Militarists 1970
as Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
The Walking Major 1970
as Kinugasa Tadao
Incident at Blood Pass 1970
as Yojimbo, Producer
The Ambitious 1970
as Shojiro Goto
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo 1970
as Yojimbo/Sasa
Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor 1969
as Isami Kondo, Producer
Red Lion 1969
as Gonzo, Producer
Battle of the Japan Sea 1969
as Admiral Heihachiro Togo
Safari 5000 1969
as Yūichirō Takase
Samurai Banners 1969
as Kansuke Yamamoto, Producer
Hell in the Pacific 1968
as Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
- The Day the Sun Rose
The Day the Sun Rose 1968
as Kumaza
Admiral Yamamoto 1968
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
The Sands of Kurobe 1968
as Kitagawa
Japan's Longest Day 1967
as War Minister General Korechika Anami
Samurai Rebellion 1967
as Isaburo Sasahara, Producer
Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions 1966
as Self
Grand Prix 1966
as Izō Yamura
The Mad Atlantic 1966
as Heihachirô Murakami, Executive Producer
Adventure in Kigan Castle 1966
as Osami, Associate Producer
The Sword of Doom 1966
as Toranosuke Shimada
Rise Against the Sword 1966
as Abare Gōemon
Fort Graveyard 1965
as Sergeant Kosugi, Associate Producer
The Retreat from Kiska 1965
as Omura
Sanshiro Sugata 1965
as Shogoro Yano
Red Beard 1965
as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
Samurai Assassin 1965
as Tsuruchiyo Niiro
Whirlwind 1964
as Lord Akashi
Samurai Pirate 1963
as Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]
Legacy of the 500,000 1963
as Takeichi Matsuo, Director, Associate Producer
High and Low 1963
as Kingo Gondo
Attack Squadron 1963
as Lt. Colonel Senda
Chûshingura 1962
as Genba Tawaraboshi
Three Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong 1962
as Zhang Zhizhang
Tatsu 1962
as Tatsu
Sanjuro 1962
as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
The Important Man 1961
as Ánimas Trujano
The Youth and His Amulet 1961
as Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
Yojimbo 1961
as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
The Masterless 47 – Part II 1961
Actor
Daredevil in the Castle 1961
as Mohei
The Masterless 47 1960
as Kazuo Momoi
The Bad Sleep Well 1960
as Kôichi Nishi
Man Against Man 1960
as Kaji
The Storm of the Pacific 1960
as Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
The Gambling Samurai 1960
as Kunisada Chuji
The Last Gunfight 1960
as Detective Saburo Fujioka
The Three Treasures 1959
as Prince Yamato Takeru
Desperado Outpost 1959
as Battalion Commander
Saga of the Vagabonds 1959
as Rokuro Kai
Samurai Saga 1959
as Heihachiro Komaki
The Big Boss 1959
as Kashimura
The Hidden Fortress 1958
as General Rokurota Makabe
Theater of Life 1958
Actor
All About Marriage 1958
as Acting teacher
Yaji and Kita on the Road 1958
as Toshinoshin Taya
The Rickshaw Man 1958
as Matsugorō Tomishima
Holiday in Tokyo 1958
as Tenkai's nephew Jirō
Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II 1958
as Tasaburo
Downtown 1957
as Yoshio Tsuruishi
The Lower Depths 1957
as Sutekichi the Thief
A Dangerous Hero 1957
as Kawada
Yagyu Secret Scrolls 1957
as Tasaburō Kasumi
Good Luck to These Two 1957
as Toshio Maruyama
A Man in the Storm 1957
as Saburō Watari
Throne of Blood 1957
as Taketoki Washizu
Rebels on the High Sea 1956
as Matsuo Tokuzō
Scoundrel 1956
as Kanji
A Wife's Heart 1956
as Kenkichi
Settlement of Love 1956
as Shuntarō Ōhira
The Underworld 1956
as Chief Inspector Kumada
Rainy Night Duel 1956
as Masahiko Koseki
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island 1956
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
I Live in Fear 1955
as Kiichi Nakajima
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple 1955
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
No Time for Tears 1955
as Mitsuo Yano
All is Well 2 1955
as Daikichi Risshun
All is Well 1955
as Daikichi Risshun
A Man Among Men 1955
as "Buick" Maki
The Black Fury 1954
as Eiichi Tsuda
The Surf 1954
as Skipper of the Utashima-maru
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto 1954
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Seven Samurai 1954
as Kikuchiyo
The Eagle of the Pacific 1953
as 1st Lieutenant Tomonaga
Sunflower Girl 1953
as Ippei Hitachi
The Last Embrace 1953
as Shinkichi / Hayakawa
My Wonderful Yellow Car 1953
as Matsumura
The Man Who Came to Port 1952
as Gorō Niinuma
Swift Current 1952
as Shunsuke Kosugi
Tokyo Sweetheart 1952
as Kurokawa
Sword for Hire 1952
as Sasa Hayatenosuke
Kin no tamago: Golden Girl 1952
Actor
The Life of Oharu 1952
as Katsunosuke
Foghorn 1952
as Chiyokichi
Vendetta of a Samurai 1952
as Mataemon Araki
Who Knows a Woman's Heart 1951
as Mizuno
The Life of a Horse Trader 1951
as Yonetaro Katayama
Sasaki Kojiro 1951
as Miyamoto Musashi
Meeting of the Ghost of Apres-Guerre 1951
as Kenji Kawakami
Pirates 1951
as Tora
The Idiot 1951
as Denkichi Akama
Elegy 1951
as Prosecutor Daisuke Toki
Beyond Love and Hate 1951
as Gorō Sakata
Rashomon 1950
as Tajômaru
Wedding Ring 1950
as Takeshi Ema
Scandal 1950
as Ichirô Aoye
Conduct Report on Professor Ishinaka 1950
as Teisaku Nagasawa
Escape from Prison 1950
as Shinkichi
Stray Dog 1949
as Det. Murakami
Jakoman and Tetsu 1949
as Tetsu
The Quiet Duel 1949
as Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
Drunken Angel 1948
as Matsunaga
These Foolish Times 1947
as Genzaburo Onō, Gang Boss
Snow Trail 1947
as Eijima
Credits from TMDB.