Mifune: The Last Samurai (DVD)

Nearly 20 years after his death, Toshiro Mifune remains a true giant of Japanese cinema.

Rich with archive footage and personal reminiscences from family and friends, this Keanu Reeves-narrated documentary shines a light on both the man and the actor, starting with his childhood and military service, through to his early years in the popular ‘chanbara’ action movies that he would later draw on for a string of masterpieces made with legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.

Featuring contributions from Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, Mifune: The Last Samurai reveals him as a formidable and mercurial talent, both onscreen and off, and an influence that still resonates through world cinema.

• Extended interview with Steven Spielberg (2016, 22 mins): the Oscar® winning director discusses more about how he became familiar with the work of Toshiro Mifune 
• Toshiro Mifune in Conversation (1986, 80 mins): the legendary Japanese actor discusses his life and career in this interview with critic and writer David Shipman
• Original theatrical trailer (2016) 
• Illustrated booklet with new writing by Steven Okazaki and Stuart Galbraith IV, an interview with the director, biography of Toshiro Mifune by Philip Kemp and full film credits