The Idiot (1951)

Toshirô Mifune: Denkichi Akama

Photos 

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  [Kameda's cries in his sleep wakes himself up and others on the train, including Denkichi Akama] 

  Denkichi Akama : That was some scream.

  Kinji Kameda : Forgive me. I was dreaming.

  Denkichi Akama : Dreaming? Sounded like you were being murdered.

  Kinji Kameda : I was - about to be shot. It's a recurring nightmare of mine. You see, I was convicted as a war criminal.

• Denkichi Akama : What ails you?

  Kinji Kameda : Idiocy. They call it epileptic dementia. I had so many fits that I eventually became an idiot.

  Denkichi Akama : An idiot?

• Denkichi Akama : [to Kameda]  You really are a strange one! I get a peculiar feeling looking at you. A tender feeling, like I'm looking at a newborn lamb. Well, I'm off. The world's full of wolves. Be careful.

• Denkichi Akama : You love her because you feel sorry for her. But I hate her as much as I love her! Sometimes I think it'd be easier if she were dead. She hates me too, with all her might! Once I beat her black and blue for the way she looks down on me.

• Denkichi Akama : [to Kameda]  Want me to spell it out? She's in love with another man and that man is you! It's the hand of fate! She can never marry you. Why? Because she doesn't want to ruin you! So she'll ruin me and drag me down to hell with her!

• Denkichi Akama : Why didn't you answer her question? Are you happy or not? I see. Of course you can't answer.

• Denkichi Akama : Frightened of a mere girl?

  Taeko Nasu : Yes, I am. I'm afraid to even look at her. She's everything I ever dreamed of being. She possesses everything I've ever lost. - - She represents an ideal for me.

• Taeko Nasu : I want her to have the kind of life I dreamed of. But...

  Denkichi Akama : But if you meet her, you may not like her.

• Denkichi Akama : She has a beautiful body! Take a look in the morning. I spent all day by her side. I've never seen such a beautiful woman.