As the relation develops between Red Beard and Yasumoto develops, so does Yasumoto's maturity. Red Beard understands that Yasumoto's knowledge is one of only book learning and not one of experience. He can see the problem, but not always the cause behind it. Through three different patients Yasumoto learns what it means, with Red Beard's help, what it means to be doctor and what the different types of medicine are.

Halfway through the film Yasumoto accepts his responsibilities and understands the important role that he plays in the clinic and society itself. From there the film begins to follow his treatment of a young girl named Otoyu and her reluctance for help. Abused from a very early age, she assumes that all will be abusive to her. It is only after Yasumoto fails in her initial treatment and asks help from Red Beard that she begins to reintegrate into the world around her.

It is in this moment of the film, which I think is one of the highlights of Kurosawa and Mifune's collaborations, that Mifune gives one of his most subtle and emotional performances. He is no longer the warrior/assassin/shogun that occupied so many of Kurosawa's films. He now shows a maturity and wisdom in his eyes and actions. In an attempt to reach the sick girls he continues tirelessly with his attempts to administer her medicine as she repeatedly throws it in his face. His pupil Yasumoto had given up after one try, but Red Beard continues with only a shrug or a laugh each time. The subtleties in this moment convey perfectly the duty and feelings that Red Beard holds for his patients and his job. They are not just sick patients needing a cure, they are the life of his work and they keep him going in the hard times that the clinic faces.

As the film nears its end, it is Yasumoto has become a changed person and has benefited from his time at the clinic with Red Beard. He now knows what he wants to do with his life based upon what he has experienced and not what he has been told or assumed. His desire for rank and class for the sole title has been replaced by a calling to duty, to do what is right. Despite the rejections and warnings by Red Beard, Yasumoto realizes that he too has grown into a man like Red Beard, for good or bad, and that is something he is prepared to live with.

Video: As usual, Criterion has produced a beautiful and haunting transfer. Kurosawa's black and white landscapes and scenes are reproduced beautifully in the 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer. Slight amounts of grain are noticeable at times, but that's to be expected due to the films age. The contrast of the print is spot on and the blacks are deep and the grays move through the variations of tone perfectly.

Audio: The audio transfer by Criterion is as perfect as you could ask for from the source material. The rich stereo mix is crisp and bright and never overpowering. A master of combining music and cinema Kurosawa's musical cues are recreated perfectly here.

Extras: The age of the film limits the extras available. A trailer for the original release is included, as well as an interesting and historically informative commentary from Stephen Prince. A noted film scholar, it's not as amusing as most commentaries, but it is one of the most informative I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Prince revels the historical accuracies that Kurosawa inserted throughout the film. The name of the film and main character itself is a reference to the introduction of Dutch medicine to Japanese culture. Before the Dutch introduced the idea of surgery and internal medicine, Japanese methods took an entirely external and holistic approach. The Japanese called the Dutch Red Beards and called their medicine Red Medicine. Interesting facts like these are revealed throughout, as well as many autobiographical details about Kurosawa's life itself. Highly intelligent, it's not a commentary for everyone but it will educate.

Overall: Do you really need to see the final recommendation? It's a DVD from the premiere DVD authoring house in the business and from one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Red Beard to see that Kurosawa was not only a master of the epic warrior's tale and samurai story, but to see that his mastery extends into the region of human drama and compassion.