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Stray Dog
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Stray Dog

1949
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 2m
Murakami, a young homicide detective, has his pocket picked on a bus and loses his pistol. Frantic and ashamed... (imdb)
Directed by:
Akira Kurosawa Akira Kurosawa
Written by:
Akira Kurosawa Akira Kurosawa Ryûzô Kikushima Ryûzô Kikushima
+1 more
Starring:
Takashi Shimura Takashi Shimura Toshirô Mifune Toshirô Mifune Minoru Chiaki Minoru Chiaki Isao Kimura Isao Kimura Ichirô Sugai Ichirô Sugai Masao Shimizu Masao Shimizu Keiko Awaji Keiko Awaji Eiko Miyoshi Eiko Miyoshi Noriko Sengoku Noriko Sengoku Fumiko Honma Eijirô Tôno Eijirô Tôno Kokuten Kôdô Kokuten Kôdô
More
Genres:
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
AKA:
Nora inu
Country:
Japan
Language:
Japanese
imdb More information at IMDb
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Stray Dog

1949
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 2m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 68.98% from 934 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
69th
The fact that this isn't considered one of Kurosawa's masterpieces is perhaps only because he had so many of them. You have to draw the line somewhere, and it's fairly easy to boot out Stray Dog, which is "just" a crime drama (even though it's slightly more than that). But it is an expertly made film, and except for the excessively long black market montage, it's hard to find fault with the craftsmanship.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
farzanFarzan
Rated 13 May 2009
81
76th
Kurosawa's Stray Dog was a great film. It is a little boring at first, but when it starts to pick up, it becomes thoroughly entertaining. It is a great detective story, but what makes this detective story then the rest was the Japanese culture involved. The Honor, the respect, it was really fun to watch. Although it is not as good as Kurosawa's Samurai films, it is worth a watch to see Kurosawa only a few years before he made classics like Seven Samurai.
Rated 13 May 2009
nobletNoblet
Rated 20 Mar 2012
85
84th
I love the portrayal of post-war Tokyo here. It's dirty, hot and dangerous - and black market criminal networks are everywhere. The feeling of desperation that surrounds the plot is this film's greatest strength, but pretty much everything else about it is extremely solid as well.
Rated 20 Mar 2012
theficionadotheficionado
Rated 20 Oct 2010
63
61st
Whereas in the beginning there's a sort of dialectical relationship between Shimura's black-and-white, quietly domestic moral code and Mifune's more ambivalent stance, rooted in his identification with his thief, by the film's end, the movie has adopted Shimura's viewpoint in full. The moralizing unfortunately gets in the way of the best parts: a girl's chaotic tumbling in a dress paid for in blood, the climactic meeting of Mifune and his counterpart, the depiction of Tokyo as a pressure cooker.
Rated 20 Oct 2010
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 10 Sep 2008
87
85th
While not the greatest Kurosawa ever (how can anyone pick?), it is probably the director's first masterpiece, attacking the political and social realities of post-war Japan head-on (especially in a contextually disturbing baseball sequence). The theme of a yin/yang hero/villain would find their zenith in High and Low.
Rated 10 Sep 2008
kasperlKasperL
Rated 26 Mar 2012
70
65th
Shimura and Mifune has a Sommerset and Mills thing going and some scenes border on greatness (hotel owner's wife giving something away; Mifune trying to identify the killer from his appearance). Kurusawa also nonchalantly gets away with metaphors - loved the horrified looks at the smashed tomato following the first murder. Overall, it's definitely a good thriller, although not matching 'Drunken Angel' and not nearly on par with what is perhaps my favorite of all Kurusawa's films, 'High and Low'.
Rated 26 Mar 2012
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 22 Aug 2016
8
80th
Coming from a country with the highest per-capita gun ownership rates in the world, I'm amused that a stolen pistol with only 7 rounds has the ability to cause panic within a Tokyo police department, but that's my warped American perspective speaking. More on topic: Kurosawa's philosophizing about post-war Japan is a bit simple, especially Shimura's moralizing, and the narrative is conventional, but the sense of time and place couldn't be better. Tokyo is very much alive in this one; and hot.
Rated 22 Aug 2016
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
95th
Very early police procedural which depicts postwar Japan, warts and all. Mifune is really reserved here compared to his other Kurosawa roles.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 29 Oct 2007
84
77th
A solid movie, both entertainmentwise and artistically, it's a good precursor to Kurosawa's greats. For some reason, I felt like there was a little something missing, where every time the movie flirted with greatness it retreated back to safety of a more conventional narrative. This is especially true with the ending, which while great overall, should have ended a couple of lines of dialogue earlier. To be fair, it probably suffers only from being compared to the rest of Kurosawa's filmography
Rated 29 Oct 2007
killersmallskillersmalls
Rated 02 Feb 2012
85
78th
A terrific procedural drama. It may also be the sweatiest movie ever made, as it takes place during a heatwave that suffuses Tokyo for the majority of the film until a crucial third act rainstorm. Ultimately the film comes down to how personal accountability, or a lack thereof, creates a divergence in the post-war generation of Japan.
Rated 02 Feb 2012
desertpunkDesertPunk
Rated 26 Jul 2014
74
57th
Under any other circumstances I would complain about the pace, but Kurosawa is very good at changing my mind about things like that. I'll also use this review space to brag on Ishirô Honda, one of my favorite directors, who took up a good portion of the filming as the AD. Because of it, Stray Dog is easily the most beautifully shot Kurosawa film I've seen so far.
Rated 26 Jul 2014
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 10 Oct 2009
60
36th
What can I say? I got a little bored about 2/3rds of the way through the film. However, the first 30 minutes or so are just fantastic. Great momentum to the "hunt," if you can call it that. This is my first Kurosawa experience. I wasn't blown away, but I was impressed at how well the movie holds up over time. There's a lot going on in this film. It's certainly unique. I intend to delve deeper into Kurosawa's filmography.
Rated 10 Oct 2009
woodoowoodoo
Rated 04 Aug 2014
85
63rd
Slick, with characters so stylish you could recognize them by silohuette. Mifune is completely outshone by Takashi Shimura, also, fantastic Criterion commentary.
Rated 04 Aug 2014
darrenDarren
Rated 09 Jul 2020
71
57th
This is the future liberals want people fighting over one last gun
Rated 09 Jul 2020
ronin167Ronin167
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
86th
While it is still an excellent film, it's clear that Kurosawa hadn't fully developed as an artist at the time "Stray Dog" was produced.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 09 Feb 2007
4
74th
A study on the duality of veterans returning from World War II, wherein a naive well-to-do detective faces his criminal doppelganger. At first glance it may not appear so, but this is textbook film noir. Though it lacks the archetypal chiaroscuro and femmes fatale, there's nothing more quintessentially noir than postwar malaise, and this film's got it in spades. Most notable for its evocation of Tokyo sweltering under a heatwave, the tension boiling over.
Rated 09 Feb 2007
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 21 Jul 2015
50
49th
The story of a rookie cop who looses his gun to a pick pocket, then becomes obsessed with tracking it down. The trail leads to the confiscation of several guns, and finally to the renegade vet using his gun to rob and kill. The movie has some pacing issues, but is mostly a good police chase. The dancer was interesting. I was not satisfied with the final chase and fight. The unarmed rookie chases down the armed thug, who inexplicably becomes inept. A rather disappointing ending.
Rated 21 Jul 2015
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 14 Aug 2007
43
31st
A very naive police drama, unspoiled by later day cliches. Some of the action is unrealistic, but there are a few remarkable scenes here, for instance the shots of incredibly sweaty dancers after a cabaret show.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
scribScrib
Rated 02 Dec 2022
85
90th
A little uneven in some respects, but each scene is so beautifully crafted that it's hard not to fall in love. Things meander a little in the second half, but the climax is masterful. Mifune and Shimura nail their roles; I never tire of Kurosawa's repeated use of their talents.
Rated 02 Dec 2022
eatbeanseatbeans
Rated 30 Nov 2023
9
86th
One of Kurosawa's best. Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura play homicide detectives. New on the job, Mifune's character has his gun stolen. While tracking it down, he uncovers a crime spree, and learns a lot about life in postwar Japan. It's a lot of sweaty bodies packed into small spaces. Like a lot of his early movies, every frame of the picture is composed, it looks like something you could frame and put on the wall. The bad weather is like another character in the movie.
Rated 30 Nov 2023
joojooJooJoo
Rated 05 May 2008
5
80th
This could be much better than I actually consider it. For some reason, I get the urge to watch this on an almost annual basis, and more than almost any other Kurosawa.
Rated 05 May 2008
dommulldommull
Rated 07 Jun 2023
64
25th
The OG buddy cop film. I feel like I've seen this story so many times already, which is a compliment to Stray Dog's legacy but unfortunately did take away from the viewing experience for me
Rated 07 Jun 2023
hanekesoloHanekeSolo
Rated 09 Mar 2010
100
99th
Absolutely perfect.
Rated 09 Mar 2010
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 06 Dec 2011
90
80th
Really interesting plot. It sounds really stupid but as it develops it becomes so engrossing. Good stuff.
Rated 06 Dec 2011
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 02 Mar 2008
64
42nd
# 712
Rated 02 Mar 2008
dmarquesdmarques
Rated 05 Nov 2010
86
82nd
Overlooked, but definitely not underrated. Shimura and Mifune in top form here.
Rated 05 Nov 2010
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 02 Apr 2015
80
68th
Need to see again when I'm not deliriously tired from cold medication. I love Takashi Shimura.
Rated 02 Apr 2015
lexlex
Rated 08 Mar 2015
90
80th
A beautifully shot and poignantly written detective story that gives terrific characterizations of all those personally involved in the crimes that surround the film. An early highlight in Kurosawa's long, expansive career and a provocative examination on post-war changes in Japan and the effects of crime on the human psyche.
Rated 08 Mar 2015
bownBown
Rated 03 Nov 2022
81
57th
A more minor Kurosawa than I was hoping for given the premise and cast, but still an excellent premise and cast!
Rated 03 Nov 2022
roxonRoXoN
Rated 10 Mar 2013
98
98th
The Secret in Their Eyes filmindeki ünlü stadyum sahnesi bu filme saygı duruşu niteliğindedir. Hatta o bölüm direk bu filmden araklanmıştır.
Rated 10 Mar 2013
sourheartsourheart
Rated 16 May 2020
3
36th
The heat of the summer is beautifully communicated
Rated 16 May 2020
djrossdjross
Rated 25 May 2021
55
53rd
Some superior characterisation, dialogue, memorable sequences and atmosphere, but the protagonist played by Mifune is the weakest link, and the portrayal of his guilt becomes increasingly tiresome and unconvincing. In general, the film veers towards melodrama in the final act, even if the final chase and capture is very well done. The fundamental idea that, when a stray dog forms bad habits, it in desperation "sees only straight lines", is a pretty good one, but the concluding dialogue is poor.
Rated 25 May 2021
stainStain
Rated 14 Apr 2007
80
68th
Here's a switch: Kurosawa and Mifune doing a movie set in modern times. True to form for Kurosawa, though, it's much more thoughtful than most of its Western counterparts
Rated 14 Apr 2007
miss_jesusmiss jesus
Rated 08 Dec 2009
73
73rd
What looks like a standard cop story turns out to be a critique of the way capitalism can corrupt moral people. Mifune, though, resists in the most upright and compassionate way. Some other performances seem melodramatic in comparison. The climactic fight and chase are terrific, though.
Rated 08 Dec 2009
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 29 Dec 2023
71
64th
As a thriller, Stray Dog certainly feels its age quite a bit. It starts slow and does pick up in the second half, but it has only fleeting moments of real thrills or tension. What is great, however, is the real examination of a post-war Japan. It's not something I've seen much of before other than in heightened horror contexts, and it's really fascinating here.
Rated 29 Dec 2023
roujinroujin
Rated 25 Apr 2008
80
92nd
Mifune, Shimura, it's all spades here.
Rated 25 Apr 2008
potzblitzPotzblitz
Rated 26 Aug 2007
98
92nd
Not only one of the best police dramas of all time, it's also one of the best ap-ap-apres-guerre (to quote Sato) films I've ever seen. The fact that some people call "Stray Dog" one of Kurosawa's "lesser" movies tells you more about the man's genius than about the quality of this film.
Rated 26 Aug 2007
prowlerprowler
Rated 16 Jul 2016
78
79th
steaming Tokyo and the post-war moral/social crisis make this one so special, and it's all captured brilliantly. some fantastic scenes are up there with the very best in cinema
Rated 16 Jul 2016
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 15 Mar 2019
87
49th
87.00
Rated 15 Mar 2019
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 23 Jun 2015
85
92nd
Incredible what Kurosawa can do with the "limitation" of 4:3.
Rated 23 Jun 2015
glm01glm01
Rated 02 Oct 2013
86
87th
86.000
Rated 02 Oct 2013
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 30 Jun 2022
80
77th
More cops should have their guns stolen
Rated 30 Jun 2022
bartbaardBartbaard
Rated 10 Feb 2019
71
73rd
I enjoyed it very much. The shots are beautiful and especially the mise-en-scène stands out, but as others said the pacing in the beginning feels weird and slow. I was hoping the "are the baddies really bad or just in a bad situation"-thing was explored a bit further seeing as Mifunes character holds himself responsible.
Rated 10 Feb 2019
ktappektappe
Rated 12 Feb 2008
91
76th
A surprisingly good (if you didn't already know the Kurosawa name) and modern-feeling film considering it's 60 years old. If you are the least bit interested in the Japanese culture, the World War II era (specifically its atermath), or just a good down-to-earth detective drama, then this film is for you. It doesn't have spectacular chase scenes or an omniscient protagonist, and those are exactly why it's so good.
Rated 12 Feb 2008
walkenrollWalkenRoll
Rated 16 Jun 2012
85
85th
Brilliant police procedural drama. Haven't watched many Kurosawa films, but based off of this, I'm going to look out for any others I find.
Rated 16 Jun 2012
randorirandori
Rated 11 Aug 2011
80
77th
hava cok sicaktir. genc polis memurunun bir hatasi onu sucun dogasiyla ve sonuclariyla net bir sekilde tanistirir. ihtiyar polis, olay orgusu ve uslubuyla o donemki hollywood filmlerini animsatan (ya da nuvesi olmus) bir polisiye. isin etik yanina yogunlastigi bolumlerinde oldukca basarili.
Rated 11 Aug 2011
glmglm
Rated 18 Jan 2011
88
87th
88.375
Rated 18 Jan 2011
vesupriavesupria
Rated 09 Sep 2010
8
88th
In terms of Kurosawa's output this is just another "Crime drama." But impressively and a testament to his brilliance and consistency it is also multifaceted, and full of great characterisation. Japanese culture pervades this. Honor, respect, mentoring. Kurosawa manages to capture raw emotion, without over-complicating matters, to show us the pitfalls of overreacting to situtions in an emotional matter. Generally the reality is far different from the "horrible truth" that we create for ourselves.
Rated 09 Sep 2010
woozybWoozyB
Rated 22 Mar 2010
90
86th
Early Kurosawa exposing the plights inherent in a post-war society that is trying to rebuild itself as well as figure out how its people are supposed to fit into it. So good.
Rated 22 Mar 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 15 Jan 2010
53
6th
948
Rated 15 Jan 2010
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 25 Jan 2012
82
58th
Very early Kurosama with a great story and good central characters.
Rated 25 Jan 2012
le_mamile mami
Rated 07 Oct 2016
70
66th
This is a good film indeed but not one of the masterpices Kurosawa made in 50's. Still there is two brilliant part : the beginning and the end. Apart from that, the thriller does not work very well because of the scanty and a little bit repeating story, I believe. However, Kurosawa's directing skills shine in his early film.
Rated 07 Oct 2016
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 25 Apr 2023
87
89th
An underrated entry in Kurosawa's filmography due to some of his other stuff, but this is a great police procedural that elevates itself with the psychological aspect of Mifune feeling shame and guilt about losing his weapon, which is being used in crimes. The transitions and music sometimes feel a bit off, which makes some of it not come together perfectly, but the depiction of the heat in Tokyo, the spinning dress scene, and the interplay between Shimura and Mifune are not to be missed.
Rated 25 Apr 2023
punqPUNQ
Rated 25 Oct 2021
70
96th
Akira Kurosawa finding inspiration from Hollywood trends of the more realistic crime fighter with Nora inu [Stray Dog] (1949). It was a style that had exploded in 1948 and he wasn't far behind giving it his own Japanese touches. The composition is cool, but it takes a while before things come together as something with its own identity. And when it finally does, you feel its intensity!
Rated 25 Oct 2021
thereeldealthereeldeal
Rated 23 Dec 2014
75
65th
Stray Dog may be one of Akira Kurosawa's earliest acclaimed movies, but it's his style of writing down to the bone. This police procedural starts out very slow in his usual tempo but gradually builds as Kurosawa's hefty dialogue expands upon the characters. His humanism comes through, but surprisingly there are suggestions of nihilism this time as well in the cultural dynamic of the two cops. Not one of his best movies, but a good suspense noir that's appealing precisely because of its modesty.
Rated 23 Dec 2014
bofbof
Rated 03 Jun 2014
75
71st
"I'm all après-ed out." Doesn't quite live up to its own promise, some truly brilliant scenes mixed in with some heavy-handed symbolism and people explaining the themes right at the camera. But man, when it's good, it's good.
Rated 03 Jun 2014
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 02 Dec 2011
51
2nd
#979
Rated 02 Dec 2011
caffecaffe
Rated 14 Oct 2015
78
78th
The first great Kurosawa movie (even though Drunken Angel from the year before is pretty good). Some of the philosophical dialogue is time-typically unsubtle ("I FEEL GREAT ANXIETY ABOUT THIS SINCE I AM PART OF THE POSTWAR GENERATION") but Kurosawa's visual storytelling is already world class and the final sequence is a small masterpiece. Also there are few actors in cinema history more charismatic than Mifune and Takashi Shimura.
Rated 14 Oct 2015
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 10 Apr 2011
95
93rd
Kurosawa's noir alternates between sequences of grit and frenzy and quiet, philosophical talks. This pulse-pause-pulse action makes for a thoroughly engrossing film, in which the heat, sweat, and stink of the city are almost palpable elements for the viewer. The two leads, while each going on to deliver much more masterful performances in later Kurosawa, play off each other with style, grace, and a great attention to detail.
Rated 10 Apr 2011

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