CHOBOOOOOO!! I really wonder how many people yelled that at the theater screen when this was first playing in Japan. That scene in this movie seems to be right in line with the audience participation part in One Wonderful Sunday.. except this time I actually felt like joining in! Not gonna lie, this movie made me cry... twice. =)
The film is set up in a series of episodes, all of which reveal what I believe Kurosawa thought it should mean to live a life privilege whilst in a suffering world. Unfortunately, it gets a little Walt Disney at some places, like "Old Yeller" Walt Disney. But at the same time, the events are broader, and very well put in their display of human behavior.
Mifune absolutely ruled! Kurosawa's movies, and older movies in general really leave allot up to the actors in that they are more slowly paced with longer takes and less camera cuts. Nowadays I think the editing room makes up much of the emotional impact in a film. But back then, the actors needed serious chops. Haha, sadly I think very few of them had it. That being, the ability to soak up the screen for extended periods without losing the audience's immersion, and especially today's audience. But Mifune is so amazing here that he even pulls off that characteristic beard tug in the middle of long takes without seeming the least bit manufactured. In this, Mifune rules! Definitely worth a watch.