Highest rated as cast or director
Toshirō Mifune's 10 titles from the 1960s have a median Balasaur Score of 84, led by High and Low (88) and Samurai Rebellion (88), against 76 for those from the 1950s.
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.
Acted in 172
1990s
- 1995
Picture Bride
The Benshi
Deep River
Tsukada
- 1992
Shadow of the Wolf
Kroomak
- 1991
Journey of Honor
Ieyasu Tokugawa
Strawberry Road
Taoka
- 1990
Heaven and Earth: Dawn Episode
Nagao Tamekage
1980s
- 1989
cf Girl
Shūichirō Hase
The Demon Comes in Spring
Kukkune no jî
- 1987
Princess from the Moon
Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
The Retired Samurai
Hikozaemon Ōkubo
The Shatterer
Murai
- 1986
The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai
Kyūbei Matsufuji
- 1985
- 1984
Burning Mountain River
Otsuichi Amo · 51 episodes
- 1983
The Women of Osaka Castle
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Lowly Ronin 6: Betrayal at Yatate Pass
Sûrônin Hinoki Sajûrô
Lowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl
Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô
Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell
Sanjuro Hinoki
The Brave Man Says Little
TV
- 1982
Lowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood
Sanjuro Hinoki
The Challenge
Toru Yoshida
The Lowly Ronin 3: Duel at Dawn
Movie
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2
Tamon Umei
- 1981
The Bushido Blade
Shogun's Commander
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 1
Tamon Umei
Inchon
Saito-San
Sekigahara
Sakon Shima · 3 episodes
- 1980
Shogun
Lord Yoshi Toranaga
1970s
- 1979
Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police
Sadanobu Matsudaira
- 1978
Lord Mito
Sakuzaemon Okumura
Love and Faith
Taiko Hideyoshi
Shag
Captain Takeo Murata
- 1977
- 1976
Ronin in a Lawless Town
Mr. Danna · 11 episodes
- 1975
- 1972
Ronin of the Wastelands
Kujuro Toge · 13 episodes
- 1971
- 1970
The Militarists
Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
The Walking Major
Kinugasa Tadao
Incident at Blood Pass
Yojimbo
The Ambitious
Shojiro Goto
1960s
- 1969
Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor
Isami Kondo
Red Lion
Gonzo
Safari 5000
Yūichirō Takase
- 1968
Hell in the Pacific
Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
Admiral Yamamoto
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
- 1967
Japan's Longest Day
War Minister General Korechika Anami
- 1966
The Mad Atlantic
Heihachirô Murakami
Adventure in Kigan Castle
Osami
The Sword of Doom
Toranosuke Shimada
Rise Against the Sword
Abare Gōemon
- 1965
Fort Graveyard
Sergeant Kosugi
The Retreat from Kiska
Omura
Samurai Assassin
Tsuruchiyo Niiro
- 1964
Whirlwind
Lord Akashi
- 1963
Samurai Pirate
Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]
Legacy of the 500,000
Takeichi Matsuo
Attack Squadron
Lt. Colonel Senda
- 1962
Three Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong
Zhang Zhizhang
Tatsu
Tatsu
- 1961
The Youth and His Amulet
Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
The Masterless 47 – Part II
Movie
Daredevil in the Castle
Mohei
- 1960
The Masterless 47
Kazuo Momoi
Man Against Man
Kaji
The Storm of the Pacific
Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
The Gambling Samurai
Kunisada Chuji
The Last Gunfight
Detective Saburo Fujioka
1950s
- 1959
The Three Treasures
Prince Yamato Takeru
Desperado Outpost
Battalion Commander
Saga of the Vagabonds
Rokuro Kai
Samurai Saga
Heihachiro Komaki
The Big Boss
Kashimura
- 1958
Theater of Life
Movie
All About Marriage
Acting teacher
Yaji and Kita on the Road
Toshinoshin Taya
Holiday in Tokyo
Tenkai's nephew Jirō
Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II
Tasaburo
- 1957
Downtown
Yoshio Tsuruishi
The Lower Depths
Sutekichi the Thief
A Dangerous Hero
Kawada
Yagyu Secret Scrolls
Tasaburō Kasumi
Good Luck to These Two
Toshio Maruyama
A Man in the Storm
Saburō Watari
- 1956
Rebels on the High Sea
Matsuo Tokuzō
Scoundrel
Kanji
A Wife's Heart
Kenkichi
Settlement of Love
Shuntarō Ōhira
- 1955
No Time for Tears
Mitsuo Yano
All is Well 2
Daikichi Risshun
All is Well
Daikichi Risshun
A Man Among Men
"Buick" Maki
- 1954
The Surf
Skipper of the Utashima-maru
- 1953
The Eagle of the Pacific
1st Lieutenant Tomonaga
Sunflower Girl
Ippei Hitachi
The Last Embrace
Shinkichi / Hayakawa
My Wonderful Yellow Car
Matsumura
- 1952
The Man Who Came to Port
Gorō Niinuma
Swift Current
Shunsuke Kosugi
Tokyo Sweetheart
Kurokawa
Sword for Hire
Sasa Hayatenosuke
Kin no tamago: Golden Girl
Movie
Foghorn
Chiyokichi
Vendetta of a Samurai
Mataemon Araki
- 1951
Who Knows a Woman's Heart
Mizuno
The Life of a Horse Trader
Yonetaro Katayama
Sasaki Kojiro
Miyamoto Musashi
Meeting of the Ghost of Apres-Guerre
Kenji Kawakami
Pirates
Tora
Elegy
Prosecutor Daisuke Toki
Beyond Love and Hate
Gorō Sakata
- 1950
Wedding Ring
Takeshi Ema
Conduct Report on Professor Ishinaka
Teisaku Nagasawa
Escape from Prison
Shinkichi
1940s
- 1949
Jakoman and Tetsu
Tetsu
The Quiet Duel
Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
- 1948
- 1947
These Foolish Times
Genzaburo Onō, Gang Boss
Snow Trail
Eijima
Produced 13
1970s
- 1979
Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police
Associate Producer
- 1978
Shag
Executive Producer
- 1972
Ronin of the Wastelands
Associate Producer
- 1971
Morning for Two
Producer
- 1970
Incident at Blood Pass
Producer
1960s
- 1969
Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor
Producer
Red Lion
Producer
- 1967
- 1966
The Mad Atlantic
Executive Producer
Adventure in Kigan Castle
Associate Producer
- 1965
Fort Graveyard
Associate Producer
- 1963
Legacy of the 500,000
Associate Producer
Directed 1
1960s
- 1963
Legacy of the 500,000
Director
Appearances7
2010s
- 2016
Mifune: The Last Samurai
Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)
2000s
- 2002
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
1960s
- 1966
Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions
Self