Rashomon
1950 · Movie · NR · 88 min · ★ 8.0 · 98% critics
After a violent crime in the woods, several witnesses describe what happened—but their stories don’t match. As each account shifts the blame and reshapes the truth, the search for what really occurred becomes a tense, thought-provoking puzzle about memory, pride, and human nature.
Based on Rashōmon, In a Grove
Also known as Rashômon
Where to watch
Watch free on Kanopy, Plex, Tubi +3 more — also streaming on HBO Max and The Criterion Channel.
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Details
- Original title
- 羅生門
- Years
- 1950
- Release date
- 1950-08-26
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Critic score
- 98/100
- TMDB rating
- 8.0/10 (2,520 votes)
- Budget
- $140,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you like compact, mystery-like stories that challenge what “truth” means and keep you debating motives afterward; Not for you if you want clear answers, fast action, or straightforward storytelling like Seven Samurai.
Pros: gripping multiple viewpoints; thought-provoking moral questions; tense rainy atmosphere | Cons: uneven pacing at times; acting can feel heightened; demands close attention
Themes
- dying and death
- japan
- samurai
- rape
- court case
- court
- truth
- rain
- woodcutter
- subjectivity
- medium
- sunlight
- +11 more
Awards & recognition
- Golden Lion · 1951
- Academy Honorary Award
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Black and White · 1953 · nominated
Cast & crew
Toshirō Mifune
as Tajômaru
Machiko Kyō
as Masako
Takashi Shimura
as Woodcutter
Masayuki Mori
as Takehiro
Minoru Chiaki
as Priest
Kichijirō Ueda
as Commoner
Noriko Honma
as Medium
Daisuke Katō
as Policeman
Directed by Akira Kurosawa