Rashomon (1950) Review: A Japanese Classic

Is Rashomon worth watching?

Yes — Rashomon remains one of the most celebrated films from Japan, with a 98/100 Celluloid Editorial Rating and enduring audience appeal. On Celluloid it holds a 98/100 Celluloid Editorial Rating, 93% Audience Snapshot, 98 Metascore, 4.4 on Letterboxd, and 8.2 on IMDb — numbers that explain why it still surfaces on every “best of Japan” list.

What is Rashomon about?

Witnesses offer contradictory accounts of a samurai’s murder in a forest, exposing the instability of truth and human self-deception. Directed by Akira Kurosawa, the film stars Toshirô Mifune, Machiko Kyô, Masayuki Mori, and remains a reference point for Crime and Drama filmmaking from Japan.

Should you watch Rashomon?

Yes, without hesitation — Rashomon rewards viewers who want more than algorithm-friendly new releases. At 88 minutes, it more than earns its running time — and the critics’ consensus still resonates today: The film that introduced Japanese cinema to the world and gave us the term Rashomon effect.

Where can I watch Rashomon?

Streaming availability varies by region — check major platforms in your country or local cinemas for revival screenings. Rashomon (1950) is widely indexed on IMDb (tt0042876) and remains one of the most searched classic titles from Japan on CelluloidScore.com.