In December 1971, a year after 'Dodesukaden' failed at the box office, Mitsui was drinking at Kurosawa's house, with Kamatari Fujiwara and their wives. At the end of the visit, he was incredibly drunk, and told Kurosawa "You're a coward not to make another movie." The next day, Kurosawa tried to take his own life. A horrified Mitsui rushed to Kurosawa's side and apologized.
