Scandal

Original title: Shûbun

1950
Approved
1h 45m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A celebrity photograph sparks a court case as a tabloid magazine spins a scandalous yarn over a painter and a famous singer.A celebrity photograph sparks a court case as a tabloid magazine spins a scandalous yarn over a painter and a famous singer.A celebrity photograph sparks a court case as a tabloid magazine spins a scandalous yarn over a painter and a famous singer.

Director
- Akira Kurosawa
Writers
- Ryûzô Kikushima
- Akira Kurosawa
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

4.9K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Akira Kurosawa
Writers
- Ryûzô Kikushima
- Akira Kurosawa
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos133

+ 126

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The story for the film was inspired by real events from Japanese tabloids writing things about celebrities; specifically a famous actress. Akira Kurosawa wrote about the nameless actress in his autobiography, saying "I reacted as if the thing had been said about me" describing the tabloid as using a "weapon of publicity" against someone.

Quotes
Otokichi Hiruta: Even scoundrels know the law. It's a danger... a real danger.

Connections
Featured in Shôchiku eiga sanjû-nen: Omoide no album (1950)

Soundtracks
Jingle Bells
(uncredited)
Music by James Pierpont
Played when Ichiro is transporting the Christmas tree on his motorcycle

User reviews43

Review

Featured review

Sixty Years On, Still Relevant

This film is about an artist named Ichiro Aoye (the great Toshiro Mifune) who by chance meets up with a famous singer Miyako Saijo (the very pretty Shirley Yamaguchi) while he is on a mountain painting. He drives her on his motorcycle to town and they happen to be staying in separate rooms at the same inn. A picture of them together, though not in any way with each other, is taken and causes a tabloid sensation. Ichiro decides to sue for libel and a very flawed lawyer (the equally great Takashi Shimura) takes the case. This film was done in 1949, yet it somehow remains relevant. Substitute Ichiro and Miyako with any celebrities you like and you'll get the idea. Mr. Shimura's character is so deeply explored you understand the pain, but may not like the man. Mr. Mifune is his usual solid self in this role and the film says a lot about privacy, hurt, pain and possibly even evil and redemption. Highly recommended.