Toshiro Mifune

Toshiro Mifune (三船 敏郎 Mifune Toshirō) (April 1, 1920 - December 24, 1997) was a Japanese actor who appeared in almost 170 feature films.

Entry into show business

In 1947, one of Mifune's friends who worked for the Photography Department of Toho Productions suggested Mifune try out for the Photography Department. He was accepted for a position as an assistant cameraman. However, the union was affiliated with the Communist party, which made Mifune, a religiously conservative man, very uncomfortable.

Related Topics:
1947 - Photography - Toho - Cameraman - Communist party

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At this time, a large number of Toho actors, after a prolonged strike, had left to form their own company. The studio organized a "new faces" contest to find new talent. Mifune's friends submitted an application and photo, without his knowledge. He was accepted, along with 48 others (out of roughly 4000 applicants), and allowed to take a screen test for Kajiro Yamamoto. Instructed to mime anger, he drew from his wartime experiences, delivering such a powerfully authentic performance that the testers feared he would be too arrogant and troublesome to work with. Fortunately, however, Yamamoto took a liking to Mifune, recommending him to director Senkichi Taniguchi. This led to Mifune's first feature role, in Shin Baka Jidai.

Related Topics:
Actor - Strike - Kajiro Yamamoto - Anger - Director - Senkichi Taniguchi - Shin Baka Jidai

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