Review of Throne of Blood (1957) by Reilly J — 10 Jun 2010

Okay I've just watched another Kurosawa film and I'm getting into the habbit of reviewing all Kurosawa films.

This film Throne of Blood is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, so therefore I need not explain the plot.

This is a good adaptation of the play, it was very well filmed and well acted and the script is not Shakespearean but is fairly poetical. The sets I found, especially the set of the evil spirit's (the three witches) den in the forest were just great.

However I think that too much of Macbeth was left out. I don't have a problem with things being changed here and there, ya know so we are aware that this is the director's film and not a stage production, but too many things that I thought were important in the play weren't there. His estrangement from his wife isn't really elaborated on and other characters lack depth. Whilst this is true in theme to Shakespeare's Macbeth I think the story would have improved if it were truer it's source material.

Oh and also, I don't wanna sound like a 12 year old boy here, but I thought Macbeth would give Kurosawa an opportunity for some epic action, but this lacked a lot of it, there aren't even any sword fights! I love Kurosawa action and I can't believe there wasn't any!

This is a very good movie but its minimalism effects its entertainment value, it does not measure up to the likes of Seven Samurai and Rashomon. Despite that I'm giving it four stars.