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.
Filmography Charles Bronson: The Spirit of Masculinity
2020
Self (archive footage)
Details Mifune: The Last Samurai
2016
Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)
Details Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress'
2002
Self
Details Kurosawa
2000
Self (archive footage)
Details Lee Marvin: A Personal Portrait by John Boorman
1998
Self (archive footage)
Details The Making of '1941'
1996
Self (archive footage)
Details Picture Bride
1995
The Benshi
Details Shadow of the Wolf
1992
Kroomak
Details Journey of Honor
1991
Ieyasu Tokugawa
Details Heaven and Earth: Dawn Episode
1990
Nagao Tamekage
Details Death of a Tea Master
1989
Rikyu Sen-no
Details The Demon Comes in Spring
1989
Kukkune no jî
Details Princess from the Moon
1987
Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
Details The Retired Samurai
1987
Hikozaemon Ōkubo
Details Tora-san Goes North
1987
Junkichi Ueno
Details The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai
1986
Kyūbei Matsufuji
Details No More God, No More Love
1985
Kōzō Kanzaki
Details The Miracle of Joe, the Petrel
1984
Fisherman
Details Okita Soji: Swordsman of Fire
1984
Shūsai Kondō
Details Secret of the Forbidden Valley
1983
Character TBA
Details The Women of Osaka Castle
1983
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Details Lowly Ronin 6: Betrayal at Yatate Pass
1983
Sûrônin Hinoki Sajûrô
Details Battle Anthem
1983
Admiral Heihachiro Togo
Details Lowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl
1983
Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô
Details Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell
1983
Sanjuro Hinoki
Details Theater Of Life
1983
Hyōtarō Aonari
Details Lowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood
1982
Sanjuro Hinoki
Details Domineering
1982
Masao Tadokoro
Details The Challenge
1982
Toru Yoshida
Details The Lowly Ronin 3: Duel at Dawn
1982
Character TBA
Details Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2
1982
Tamon Umei
Details Lowly Ronin
1981
Sanjuro Hinoki
Details The Bushido Blade
1981
Shogun's Commander
Details Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 1
1981
Tamon Umei
Details Shogun
1980
Lord Yoshi Toranaga
Details Port Arthur
1980
Emperor Meiji
Details 1941
1979
Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
Details Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police
1979
Sadanobu Matsudaira
Details The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi
1979
Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"
Details Lord Mito
1978
Sakuzaemon Okumura
Details The Fall of Ako Castle
1978
Tsuchiya Michinao
Details Japanese Godfather: Conclusion
1978
Kosuke Oishi
Details Love and Faith
1978
Taiko Hideyoshi
Details Shag
1978
Captain Takeo Murata
Details Shogun's Samurai
1978
Yoshinao Tokugawa
Details Japanese Godfather: Ambition
1977
Kosuke Oishi
Details Proof of the Man
1977
Yohei Kori
Details Midway
1976
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Details Paper Tiger
1975
Ambassador Kagoyama
Details The Militarists
1970
Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
Details The Walking Major
1970
Kinugasa Tadao
Details Incident at Blood Pass
1970
Yojimbo
Details The Ambitious
1970
Shojiro Goto
Details Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
1970
Yojimbo/Sasa
Details Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor
1969
Isami Kondo
Details Battle of the Japan Sea
1969
Admiral Heihachiro Togo
Details Safari 5000
1969
Yūichirō Takase
Details Samurai Banners
1969
Kansuke Yamamoto
Details Hell in the Pacific
1968
Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
Details The Day the Sun Rose
1968
Kumaza
Details Admiral Yamamoto
1968
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Details The Sands of Kurobe
1968
Kitagawa
Details Japan's Longest Day
1967
War Minister General Korechika Anami
Details Samurai Rebellion
1967
Isaburo Sasahara
Details Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions
1966
Self
Details Rise Against the Sword
1966
Abare Gōemon
Details The Mad Atlantic
1966
Heihachirô Murakami
Details Adventure in Kigan Castle
1966
Osami
Details The Sword of Doom
1966
Toranosuke Shimada
Details Fort Graveyard
1965
Sergeant Kosugi
Details The Retreat from Kiska
1965
Omura
Details Sanshiro Sugata
1965
Shogoro Yano
Details Red Beard
1965
Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
Details Samurai Assassin
1965
Tsuruchiyo Niiro
Details Samurai Pirate
1963
Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]
Details Legacy of the 500,000
1963
Takeichi Matsuo
Details High and Low
1963
Kingo Gondo
Details Attack Squadron
1963
Lt. Colonel Senda
Details Chûshingura
1962
Genba Tawaraboshi
Details Three Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong
1962
Zhang Zhizhang
Details Sanjuro
1962
Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
Details The Important Man
1961
Ánimas Trujano
Details The Youth and His Amulet
1961
Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
Details Yojimbo
1961
Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
Details The Masterless 47 – Part II
1961
Character TBA
Details Daredevil in the Castle
1961
Mohei
Details The Masterless 47
1960
Kazuo Momoi
Details The Bad Sleep Well
1960
Kôichi Nishi
Details The Storm of the Pacific
1960
Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
Details The Gambling Samurai
1960
Kunisada Chuji
Details The Last Gunfight
1960
Detective Saburo Fujioka
Details The Three Treasures
1959
Prince Yamato Takeru
Details Desperado Outpost
1959
Battalion Commander
Details Saga of the Vagabonds
1959
Rokuro Kai
Details Samurai Saga
1959
Heihachiro Komaki
Details The Hidden Fortress
1958
General Rokurota Makabe
Details Theater of Life
1958
Character TBA
Details All About Marriage
1958
Acting teacher
Details Yaji and Kita on the Road
1958
Toshinoshin Taya
Details The Rickshaw Man
1958
Matsugorō Tomishima
Details A Holiday in Tokyo
1958
Tenkai's nephew Jirō
Details Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II
1958
Tasaburo
Details Down Town
1957
Yoshio Tsuruishi
Details The Lower Depths
1957
Sutekichi the Thief
Details Yagyu Secret Scrolls
1957
Tasaburō Kasumi
Details Good Luck to These Two
1957
Toshio Maruyama
Details A Man in the Storm
1957
Saburō Watari
Details Throne of Blood
1957
Taketori Washizu
Details Rebels on the High Sea
1956
Matsuo Tokuzō
Details Settlement of Love
1956
Shuntarō Ōhira
Details The Underworld
1956
Chief Inspector Kumada
Details Rainy Night Duel
1956
Masahiko Koseki
Details Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
1956
Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Details I Live in Fear
1955
Kiichi Nakajima
Details Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
1955
Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Details No Time for Tears
1955
Mitsuo Yano
Details All is Well 2
1955
Daikichi Risshun
Details All is Well
1955
Daikichi Risshun
Details A Man Among Men
1955
"Buick" Maki
Details The Black Fury
1954
Eiichi Tsuda
Details The Surf
1954
Skipper of the Utashima-maru
Details Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
1954
Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Details The Eagle of the Pacific
1953
1st Lieutenant Tomonaga
Details Sunflower Girl
1953
Ippei Hitachi
Details The Last Embrace
1953
Shinkichi / Hayakawa
Details My Wonderful Yellow Car
1953
Matsumura
Details The Man Who Came to Port
1952
Gorō Niinuma
Details Swift Current
1952
Shunsuke Kosugi
Details Tokyo Sweetheart
1952
Kurokawa
Details Sword for Hire
1952
Sasa Hayatenosuke
Details Kin no tamago: Golden Girl
1952
Character TBA
Details The Life of Oharu
1952
Katsunosuke
Details Vendetta of a Samurai
1952
Mataemon Araki
Details Who Knows a Woman's Heart
1951
Mizuno
Details The Life of a Horse Trader
1951
Yonetaro Katayama
Details Sasaki Kojiro
1951
Miyamoto Musashi
Details Meeting of the Ghost of Apres-Guerre
1951
Kenji Kawakami
Details The Idiot
1951
Denkichi Akama
Details Elegy
1951
Prosecutor Daisuke Toki
Details Beyond Love and Hate
1951
Gorō Sakata
Details Wedding Ring
1950
Takeshi Ema
Details Conduct Report on Professor Ishinaka
1950
Teisaku Nagasawa
Details Escape from Prison
1950
Shinkichi
Details The Quiet Duel
1949
Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
Details These Foolish Times
1947
Genzaburo Onō, Gang Boss
Details 