Filmed 20 years after the end of World War II, Kurosawa's Red Beard looks at the problem of social injustice. Toshiro Mifune stars as compassionate clinic director Akahige ("Red Beard"), who is viewed as a tyrant by an arrogant post-graduate doctor. The film explores the relationship between the two men as the director guides the young intern, teaching him to appreciate the lives of his patients, even the most destitute ones. Shot over a two-year span, Red Beard would be Kurosawa's last black-and-white film as well as his last collaboration with Mifune. They made a total of 16 films together. When asked about his collaborations with Kurosawa, Mifune exclaimed, "I am proud of nothing I have done other than with him."