# Stray Dog

> 1949 film by Akira Kurosawa

**Wikidata**: [Q678972](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q678972)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stray_Dog_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stray-dog

## Summary
*Stray Dog* is a 1949 film directed by Akira Kurosawa, produced by Toho and starring Toshirō Mifune and Takashi Shimura. It is a crime drama that blends elements of film noir and buddy film genres, following the non-romantic partnership of two men navigating the criminal underworld of post-war Japan.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Akira Kurosawa, a renowned Japanese filmmaker.
- Produced by Toho, a major Japanese film production company.
- Starring Toshirō Mifune and Takashi Shimura, both prominent Japanese actors.
- Released on October 17, 1949, with additional releases on January 12, 1961, and August 31, 1963.
- Classified as a film, crime film, drama film, and film noir.
- Set in post-war Japan, exploring themes of crime and moral ambiguity.
- Part of the buddy film genre, featuring a non-romantic partnership between two men.

## FAQs
**What genre does *Stray Dog* belong to?**
*Stray Dog* is a crime film, drama film, and film noir, with elements of the buddy film genre. It blends mystery, detective elements, and a non-romantic partnership between two men.

**Who directed *Stray Dog*?**
The film was directed by Akira Kurosawa, a celebrated Japanese filmmaker known for his contributions to cinema.

**Which actors starred in *Stray Dog*?**
Toshirō Mifune and Takashi Shimura played the lead roles in the film.

**When was *Stray Dog* released?**
The film was first released on October 17, 1949, with subsequent releases on January 12, 1961, and August 31, 1963.

**Where is *Stray Dog* set?**
The film is set in post-war Japan, reflecting the social and criminal landscape of the era.

## Why It Matters
*Stray Dog* holds significance as a pivotal work in Kurosawa’s filmography, showcasing his ability to blend crime drama with moral ambiguity. The film’s exploration of the criminal underworld in post-war Japan provides a nuanced portrayal of societal decay and human resilience. Its inclusion of the buddy film genre, featuring a non-romantic partnership between two men, reflects Kurosawa’s interest in character dynamics and social commentary. The film’s production by Toho and starring performances by Mifune and Shimura further cement its place in Japanese cinema history.

## Notable For
- One of Akira Kurosawa’s most influential films, blending crime drama with film noir elements.
- Pioneering the buddy film genre with a non-romantic partnership between two men.
- Starring Toshirō Mifune and Takashi Shimura, both iconic figures in Japanese cinema.
- Produced by Toho, a leading Japanese film production company.
- Set in post-war Japan, offering a unique perspective on the era’s social and criminal landscape.

## Body
### Overview
*Stray Dog* is a 1949 film directed by Akira Kurosawa, produced by Toho, and starring Toshirō Mifune and Takashi Shimura. The film is classified as a crime drama, film noir, and buddy film, with its narrative centered on the non-romantic partnership of two men navigating the criminal underworld of post-war Japan.

### Production and Release
The film was produced by Toho, a major Japanese film production company, and released on October 17, 1949. Subsequent releases occurred on January 12, 1961, and August 31, 1963, ensuring its continued availability to audiences.

### Genre and Themes
*Stray Dog* blends elements of crime film, drama film, and film noir, with a focus on moral ambiguity and the criminal underworld. Its inclusion in the buddy film genre highlights the non-romantic partnership between two men, a theme explored through the characters played by Mifune and Shimura.

### Setting and Context
Set in post-war Japan, the film reflects the social and criminal landscape of the era. Its exploration of moral ambiguity and societal decay provides a nuanced portrayal of human resilience in the face of adversity.

### Notable Figures
- **Akira Kurosawa**: The director, known for his contributions to Japanese cinema and his ability to blend genres and themes.
- **Toshirō Mifune**: A prominent Japanese actor who played a lead role in the film, contributing to its cultural impact.
- **Takashi Shimura**: Another leading Japanese actor, whose performance added depth to the film’s narrative.

### Influence and Legacy
*Stray Dog* remains a significant work in Kurosawa’s filmography, showcasing his ability to create complex narratives that blend crime, drama, and moral ambiguity. Its production by Toho and starring performances by Mifune and Shimura further cement its place in Japanese cinema history. The film’s exploration of the buddy film genre, featuring a non-romantic partnership between two men, reflects Kurosawa’s interest in character dynamics and social commentary.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041699/)
2. [Source](https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/10-great-japanese-film-noirs)
3. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
4. Stray Dog. Rotten Tomatoes
5. [Stray Dog (1949): Technical Specifications. IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041699/technical)
6. [Stray Dog (1949): Release Info. IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041699/releaseinfo)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/stray-dog/)
9. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=152.html)
10. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
11. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/23775)
12. mymovies.it
13. The Movie Database
14. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/94181)
15. Trakt.tv
16. FilmVandaag.nl