Review of Ran (1985) by Alan T — 13 Jul 2008
One of Kurosawa?s last big films this epic tale of King Lear transported to feudal Japan is highly dramatic and undoubtedly his most expansive take on anything I have ever seen from him this includes The Throne of Blood, and the Seven Samurai.
Tatsuya Nakadai, plays Lord Hidetora Ichimonji, a king who bears witness to the destruction of his empire and his family. Kurosawa does not hold back in the violence department having whole units of men destroyed in the blood bath between Ichimonji?s sons.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the story is not the wizen old king?s descent into madness, but Lady Kaede?s manipulation of her husband much as Lady Macbeth in the Shakespeare play. She is extremely devious and highly volatile.
Her treachery and crazed performance is one of the pinnacle marks of the film similar to Toshiro Mifune?s equally stark collapse in The Throne of Blood. But Ichimonji?s storyline is also very much worth watching for him and his jester who go so far out there at the end it is hard to tell which is the king and which is the jester.
The film is wonderfully shot with fantastic costume design work and incredible set designs. One of Akira Kurosawa?s most stunning works for shear scale, but the performances found inside make well worth a look.
This review of Ran (1985) was written by Alan T on 13 Jul 2008.
Ran has generally received very positive reviews.
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