

"What is the key to life - power, prestige or peace?"
Aspiring to an easy job as personal physician to a wealthy family, Noboru Yasumoto is disappointed when his first post after medical school takes him to a small country clinic under the gruff doctor Red Beard. Yasumoto rebels in numerous ways, but Red Beard proves a wise and patient teacher. He gradually introduces his student to the unglamorous side of the profession, ultimately assigning him to care for a prostitute rescued from a local brothel.
Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")

Dr. Noboru Yasumoto

Sahachi

Osugi

Onaka

Madwoman ("The Mantis")

Genzô Tsugawa

Otoyo

Okuni

Chobo

Dr. Handayû Mori

Goheiji

Tokubei Izumiya

Mr. Yasumoto

Kin, the madam

Madame Yasumoto

Madwoman's father

Heikichi

Chief retainer

Matsudaira

Rokusuke

Genpaku Amano
Chigusa, Masae's sister

Masae

Otoku
Okatsu
Ofuku

Otake
Choji's Mother

Brothel owner

Patient A

Patient B

Businessman
Resident

Resident

Resident

Okoto
Masae's mother

Prostitute
Prostitute
Prostitute
Prostitute
Girl on street

Thug
Thug

Thug
Choji's Father

Thug

Thug
Thug

Thug
Thug

Thug
Thug
Thug
(uncredited)