Red Beard (1965)
Kernel Score: 89% · 401 ratings
Genres: Drama
Released: 1965-03-04
Runtime: 185 minutes
Where to watch Red Beard
- Stream: Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, HBO Max
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
Red Beard parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Red Beard is a classic Japanese drama about a young doctor learning compassion and humility from a gruff mentor at a rural clinic.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Red Beard
If you liked Red Beard, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) — 93%
- The Professor and the Madman (2019) — 80%
- Samurai Rebellion (1967) — 90%
- The Fire Within (1963) — 85%
- Diary of a Country Priest (1951) — 83%
- Drunken Angel (1948) — 86%
- The Yakuza (1974) — 79%
- Sanjuro (1962) — 89%
Director
Cast
- Toshirō Mifune as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
- Yūzō Kayama as Dr. Noboru Yasumoto
- Tsutomu Yamazaki as Sahachi
- Reiko Dan as Osugi
- Miyuki Kuwano as Onaka
- Kyōko Kagawa as Madwoman ("The Mantis")
- Tatsuyoshi Ehara as Genzô Tsugawa
- Terumi Niki as Otoyo
- Akemi Negishi as Okuni
- Yoshitaka Zushi as Chobo
Red Beard FAQ
Is Red Beard good?
Red Beard has an 89% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 401 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Red Beard?
In the US you can stream Red Beard on Prime Video, The Criterion Channel and HBO Max.
Is Red Beard OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Red Beard is a classic Japanese drama about a young doctor learning compassion and humility from a gruff mentor at a rural clinic.
What movies are like Red Beard?
If you liked Red Beard, try One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Professor and the Madman, Samurai Rebellion and The Fire Within.