Mifune Quotes

Mifune had a kind of talent I had never encountered before in the Japanese film world. It was, above all, the speed with which he expressed himself that was astounding. The ordinary Japanese actor might need ten feet of film to get across an impression; Mifune needed only three feet. The speed of his movements was such that he said in a single action what took ordinary actors three separate movements to express. He put forth everything directly and boldly, and his sense of timing was the keenest I had ever seen in a Japanese actor. And yet with all his quickness he also had surprisingly fine sensibilities.

Life is granted to no man on a permanent basis. It is a privilege, and we must use out time wisely. It is up to each of us to make of it what we can.

- A vida não é concedida a título permanente. - declarou. - É um privilegio e temos de utilizar o nosso tempo de forma judiciosa.Cabe-nos a todos fazer dela o que pudermos (...)A alma é como um pássaro em voo. Escapa-nos e voa livre de novo. Sem constrangimentos." (pág.323)

I find it fascinating how we can see something with our eyes, hear with our ears and speak from our mouths. Although science tells us how they work, I just really can't grasp it. I don't know how everyday items like phones work. I can't even explain why a bicycle is fast. When I think like this, I wonder how many things I really understand. Yet I can live on. Because all these mysteries have joined together to keep me alive. Sometimes I admire that before I go to bed.

There are no shortcuts because there is no end

The ordinary Japanese actor might need ten feet of film to get across an impression; Mifune needed only three feet.