Akira Kurosawa Picture
STARmeter
Top 5000
Up 45 this week

Akira Kurosawa (1910–1998)

Writer | Director | Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

After training as a painter (he storyboards his films as full-scale paintings), Kurosawa entered the film industry in 1936 as an assistant director, eventually making his directorial debut with Sanshiro Sugata. Within a few years, Kurosawa had achieved sufficient stature to allow him greater creative freedom... See full bio »

Born:

in Tokyo, Japan

Died:

(age 88) in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Akira Kurosawa Akira Kurosawa Akira Kurosawa and John Huston Akira Kurosawa famous japanese director circa 1975 Still of Akira Kurosawa and Catherine Cadou in Kurosawa's Way Akira Kurosawa, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg
14 photos | 7 videos | 624 news articles »

Quick Links:

Related News

Mark Cousins's "The Story of Film"
4 hours ago | MUBI
A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Akira Kurosawa’s Sanshiro Sugata
30 January 2012 7:20 PM, PST | CriterionCast
"Shakespeare On Film" Presents "Throne Of Blood" Screening February 12, New Jersey City University
28 January 2012 7:42 PM, PST | CinemaRetro
See all 624 related articles »

Projects In Development help

2014
The Seven Samurai
High and Low
Details only on IMDbPro »
Create a list  »

Related Lists

image of name
My Top 40 Favorite Directors
a list of 40 people by cinefilikos created 9 months ago
 
image of name
Top 100 Directors of all Time
a list of 100 people by hassan created 01 Dec 2010
 
image of name
Top 30 directors
a list of 30 people by adamnaslund created 2 weeks ago
 
image of name
The Greatest Directors
a list of 50 people by conceptuallygreen created 4 weeks ago
 
image of name
My Favorite Director's
a list of 24 people by sandravelar-duarte created 2 days ago
 
See all 852 related lists »

Do you have a demo reel?

Add it to your IMDbPage

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel

My Demo Reel -- No description provided.

My Demo Reel

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -


Find out more at IMDbPro »

Connect with IMDb

Pre-Order the Kindle Fire
Nominated for Oscar. Another 63 wins & 17 nominations See more awards »

Known For


Show Show all  | 
Show by:
Edit

Filmography

Hide HideWriter (71 titles)
2008 Hidden Fortress: The Last Princess (original screenplay)
 
2007 Tsubaki Sanjûrô (screenplay)
 
2004 Samurai 7 (TV series)
– Ochiru! (2004) (film "Shichinin no samurai")
– Ueru! (2004) (film "Shichinin no samurai")
– Chigiru! (2004) (film "Shichinin no samurai")
– Usotsuki! (2004) (film "Shichinin no samurai")
– Hippataku! (2004) (film "Shichinin no samurai")
See all 26 episodes »
 
2002 The Sea Is Watching (original screenplay)
 
2000 Dora-heita (screenplay)
 
1999 After the Rain (screenplay)
 
1996/I Last Man Standing (story)
 
1993 Madadayo (writer)
 
1991 Rhapsody in August
 
1990 Dreams (written by)
 
1985 Runaway Train (based on a screenplay by)
 
1985 Ran (screenplay)
 
1980 Kagemusha
 
1975 Dersu Uzala
 
1973 Nora inu (1949 screenplay)
 
1970 Dodes'ka-den (screenplay)
 
1970 Tora! Tora! Tora! (Japanese sequences - uncredited)
 
1968 The Last Day of Hsianyang (screenplay)
 
1965 Sanshiro Sugata (1943 screenplay "Sugata Sanshiro" and 1945 screenplay "Zoku Sugata Sanshiro")
 
1965 Red Beard (screenplay)
 
1964 The Outrage (screenplay "Rashomon")
 
1964 A Fistful of Dollars (screenplay "Yojimbo" - uncredited)
 
1964 Jakoman to Tetsu (and earlier screenplay)
 
1963 High and Low (screenplay)
 
1962 Fencing Master (1950 screenplay Tateshi danpei)
 
1962 Sanjuro (screenplay)
 
1961 Yojimbo (screenplay / story)
 
1960 Play of the Week (TV series)
– Rashomon (1960) (teleplay)
 
1960 The Magnificent Seven (screenplay "Shichinin no samurai" - uncredited)
 
1960 The Bad Sleep Well (written by)
 
1959 Sengoku gunto-den (writer)
 
1958 The Hidden Fortress (written by)
 
1957 Nichiro sensô shôri no hishi: Tekichû ôdan sanbyaku-ri (earlier screenplay "Techiku odan sanbyaku ri" / screenplay)
 
1957 The Lower Depths
 
1957 Throne of Blood (screenplay)
 
1955 I Live in Fear (story)
 
1955 Asunaro monogatari (screenplay)
 
1955 Kieta chutai
 
1955 Sanshiro Sugata
 
1954 Seven Samurai (written by)
 
1953 Fukeyo haru kaze (writer)
 
1952 Ikiru (written by)
 
1952 Sengoku burai
 
1952 Vendetta of a Samurai
 
1951 Kedamono no yado
 
1951 The Idiot
 
1951 Ai to nikushimi no kanata e
 
1950 Tateshi Danpei
 
1950 Rashomon
 
1950 Jiruba Tetsu
 
1950 Scandal
 
1950 Desertion at Dawn
 
1949 Stray Dog (writer)
 
1949 Jakoman to Tetsu (writer)
 
1949 Jigoku no kifujin (writer)
 
1949 The Quiet Duel (writer)
 
1948 Shozo (writer)
 
1948 Drunken Angel (written by)
 
1947 Snow Trail
 
1947 One Wonderful Sunday
 
1947 Yottsu no koi no monogatari (segment "Hatsukoi")
 
1946 No Regrets for Our Youth
 
1945 Sanshiro Sugata Part Two
 
1945 Appare Isshin Tasuke
 
1945 The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
 
1944 The Most Beautiful
 
1944 Dohyosai
 
1943 Sanshiro Sugata (writer)
 
1942 Tsubasa no gaika
 
1942 Currents of Youth
 
1941 Uma (uncredited)
 
Show ShowDirector (32 titles)
1993 Madadayo
 
1991 Rhapsody in August
 
1990 Dreams
 
1985 Ran
 
1980 Kagemusha
 
1975 Dersu Uzala
 
1970 Dodes'ka-den
 
1965 Red Beard
 
1963 High and Low
 
1962 Sanjuro
 
1961 Yojimbo
 
1960 The Bad Sleep Well
 
1958 The Hidden Fortress
 
1957 The Lower Depths
 
1957 Throne of Blood
 
1955 I Live in Fear
 
1954 Seven Samurai
 
1952 Ikiru
 
1951 The Idiot
 
1950 Rashomon
 
1950 Scandal
 
1949 Stray Dog
 
1949 The Quiet Duel
 
1948 Drunken Angel
 
1947 One Wonderful Sunday
 
1946 No Regrets for Our Youth
 
1946 Those Who Make Tomorrow
 
1945 Sanshiro Sugata Part Two
 
1945 The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
 
1944 The Most Beautiful
 
1943 Sanshiro Sugata
 
1941 Uma (some scenes - uncredited)
 
1941 Uma (assistant director, second unit director)
 
1940 Enoken no songokû: songokû zenko-hen (chief assistant director)
 
1940 Enoken no zangiri Kinta (chief assistant director)
 
1940 Roppa no shinkon ryoko (chief assistant director)
 
1939 Nonki Yokocho (chief assistant director)
 
1939 Chûshingura: Kôhen (chief assistant director)
 
1939 Enoken no gatchiri jidai (chief assistant director)
 
1938 Enoken no bikkuri jinsei (chief assistant director)
 
1938 Tsuzurikata kyoshitsu (chief assistant director)
 
1938 Tojuro no koi (chief assistant director)
 
1938 Chinetsu (chief assistant director)
 
1937 Utsukushiki taka (chief assistant director)
 
1937 Enoken no chakkiri Kinta 'Go', kaeri wa kowai, mateba hiyori (third assistant director)
 
1937 Enoken no chakkiri Kinta 'Zen' - Mamayo sandogasa - Ikiwa yoiyoi (third assistant director)
 
1937 Nadare (third assistant director)
 
1937 Nihon josei dokuhon (third assistant director)
 
1937 A Husband's Chastity: Fall Once Again (third assistant director)
 
1937 Otto no teiso - haru kitareba (third assistant director)
 
1937 Sengoku gunto-den - Dai nibu Akatsuki no zenshin (third assistant director)
 
1937 Sengoku gunto-den - Dai ichibu Toraokami (third assistant director)
 
1936 Tokyo rapusodei (third assistant director)
 
1936 Enoken's Ten Millions 2 (third assistant director)
 
1936 Enoken no senman chôja (third assistant director)
 
1936 Shojo Hanazono (third assistant director)
 
Show ShowEditor (17 titles)
1993 Madadayo
 
1991 Rhapsody in August
 
1985 Ran
 
1963 500,000 (uncredited)
 
1961 Yojimbo
 
1960 The Bad Sleep Well
 
1958 The Hidden Fortress
 
1957 The Lower Depths
 
1955 Asunaro monogatari
 
1954 Seven Samurai
 
1951 The Idiot
 
1950 Rashomon
 
1947 Snow Trail (uncredited)
 
1946 No Regrets for Our Youth
 
1945 Sanshiro Sugata Part Two (uncredited)
 
1943 Sanshiro Sugata
 
1941 Uma
 
Show ShowProducer (11 titles)
1980 Kagemusha (executive producer, producer)
 
1970 Dodes'ka-den (planner, producer)
 
1965 Sanshiro Sugata (producer)
 
1963 High and Low (associate producer)
 
1961 Yojimbo (producer)
 
1960 The Bad Sleep Well (producer)
 
1958 The Hidden Fortress (producer)
 
1957 The Lower Depths (producer)
 
1957 Throne of Blood (producer)
 
1949 Stray Dog (associate producer)
 
1949 Haru no tawamure (associate producer)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (2 titles)
1990 The 62nd Annual Academy Awards (TV special) ("Happy Birthday to You")
 
1948 Drunken Angel (lyrics: "Janguru bugi")
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (1 title)
1998 China Gate (in tribute to)
 
Show ShowSound Department (1 title)
1938 Tojuro no koi (dubbing supervisor)
 
Show ShowThanks (8 titles)
2012 A Little Bit Zombie (acknowledgment to the works of) (completed)
 
2010 Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV series) (in memory of - 1 episode)
– Bounty Hunters (2010) (in memory of)
 
2007 777 (short) (dedicatee)
 
2007 Black Santa's Revenge (short) (special thanks)
 
2004 Throw Down (dedicatee)
 
1999 After the Rain (in memory of)
 
1999 Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (personal thanks)
 
1992 Visions of Light (documentary) (special thanks: AFI)
 
Show ShowSelf (14 titles)
2007 Fûshi kaden (documentary short)
Himself
 
2002 Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create (video documentary short)
Himself
 
1993 Akira Kurosawa: My Life in Cinema (TV movie)
Himself
 
1993 Eiga ni koishite aishite ikite Akira Kurosawa & Hayao Miyazaki (TV movie)
Himself
 
1993 Takeshi no big talk (TV movie)
Himself
 
1991 Akira Kurosawa Making 'Rhapsody in August' (video documentary)
Himself
 
1990 The 62nd Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Honorary Award Recipient
 
1986 The 58th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Nominee: Best Director & Co-Presenter: Best Picture
 
1985 A.K. (documentary)
Himself
 
1985 Étoiles et toiles (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode dated 25 March 1985 (1985) … Himself
 
1980 The South Bank Show (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Akira Kurosawa (1980) … Himself
 
1980 Billy Baxter Presents Diary of the Cannes Film Festival with Rex Reed (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1972 75 Years of Cinema Museum (documentary)
Himself
 
1970 The 42nd Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Commenting on New Freedom and Trends in Film: Pre-Recorded
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (11 titles)
2010 Cinema 3 (TV series)
 
2009 Kyôiku terebi no gyakushû: Yomigaeru kyoshô no kotoba (TV movie)
Himself
 
2007 The Making of 'Drunken Angel' (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2007 Challenging Kurosawa: Yoshimitsu Morita Remakes 'Sanjuro' (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2005 Cinema mil (TV series)
 
2005 49º premis Sant Jordi de cinematografía (TV special)
Himself
 
2003 Tsukuru to iu koto wa subarashii! Kurosawa Akira: Korega Kuroswa sasupensu da (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2003 Tsukuru to iu koto wa subarashii! Kurosawa Akira: Shikisai wo te ni ireta Kurosawa Akira (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2001 Great Performances (TV series)
 
2000 A Message from Akira Kurosawa: For Beautiful Movies (video documentary)
Himself
 
1999 The 71st Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Memorial Tribute
 

Related Videos

Dreams -- A collection of tales based upon the actual dreams of director Akira Kurosawa. Ran -- Trailer for the 25th Anniversary release of Akira Kurosawa's classic film Sanjuro -- A crafty samurai helps a young man and his fellow clansmen save his uncle, who has been framed and imprisoned by a corrupt superintendent.
See all 7 »
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

(Book) "Something Like an Autobiography"

Publicity Listings:

3 Biographical Movies  | 4 Print Biographies  | 1 Interview  | 14 Articles  | See more »

Height:

5' 11½" (1.81 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on Mikio Naruse] Naruse's Method consists of staging one very brief shot after another; but when we look at them placed end-to-end in the finished film, they give the impression of one long single take. The fluidity is so perfect that the cuts are invisible . . . A flow of shots that looks calm and... See more »

Trivia:

Many of the characters in his period films were loosely based on historical figures. See more »

Trademark:

Driven characters who frequently end up failing in the goals but ultimately learn hard won life lessons See more »

Nickname:

Wind Man See more »

Star Sign:

Aries