Review of Throne of Blood (1957) by Keenan S — 21 Jul 2014

Is there nothing Akira Kurosawa couldn't do? Though I've only seen a handful of his films, so far, that answer is a resounding, NO. Throne Of Blood is yet another masterwork from a master director. Then again, I should know better than to have even the most minor doubts about Kurosawa.

The story is Kurosawa's take on the Shakespeare play, Macbeth, only it's a Japanese period piece. After protecting Forts One and Two, Generals Washizu and Miki are invited to the castle of Lord Tsuzuki to honor their bravery. However, on their way to ceremony, the two become lost in the forest that surrounds the castle. It's there where they encounter a terrifying female spirit who tells the men their futures: Washizu will be named as master of North Castle, while Miki will become commander of Fort One. But, it is also revealed that Washizu will eventually become Lord of the Forest Castle, as well as Miki's son. This particular prediction leaves Washizu feeling uneasy about his future, because the spirit never specifies how he will become Lord, nor how Miki's son will become Lord of the castle.

Things go according to the spirit's first part of the prediction when the men get to the ceremony: Washizu becomes master of North Castle, while Miki becomes commander for Fort One, much to the shock of both men.

For a brief period things seem to be going okay, until Washizu's wife, Asaji, suggests the unthinkable when Lord Tsuzuki plans to stay at North Castle by telling Washizu to make the spirit's prediction come true by killing Lord Tsuzuki and taking over the Forest Castle. After much badgering and manipulation, Washizu goes along with the plan. Asaji drugs the Tsuzuki's guards while Washizu commits the horrible deed, followed Asaji planting the bloody spear on one of the guards.

Naturally, the guard (Who is immediately killed Washizu as he wakes) is blamed by most people for the murder of Lord Tsuzuki, but Tsuzuki's son, Kunimaru and an adviser of Tsuzuki immediately suspect Washizu of the crime, and are forced to flee when Washizu plans to have them killed too when he names them as accomplices to the crime.

Despite suspicions, Miki still holds allegiance to Washizu and doesn't believe him to be capable of the crime. But, not even Miki is safe, not even after Washizu becomes Lord of the Forest Castle as predicted. Despite the spirit saying that Miki's son will become Lord of Forest Castle, Asaji becomes pregnant and convinces Washizu that Miki and his son must be eliminated, so Miki is murdered, but his son escapes being killed.

Slowly, but surely, Washizu becomes more suspicious of everyone around him and more insane as his craving for power and control seems to know no bounds, which threatens to destroy his warped little world as his alliances begin to dwindle and his misdeeds come back to haunt him.

One of the things that makes Kurosawa such a great director is his ability to take something old, and making it all seem fresh again with his own personal creative stamp. Though there are many Shakespeare-translated films, Throne Of Blood is easily one of the all-time greats of such films because everything is made with such care, such craft, and such attention to detail in even the smallest areas. The story, despite familiar ideas, is very engaging and riveting as new twists and spins are put on these ideas and characters.

The acting, as expected, is quite good, especially from legendary Japanese actor, Toshiro Mifune as Washizu who dominates the screen with his presence. His performance was electric and stunning as he fully threw himself into the role, though his cast mates were all great as well. But, if Toshiro Mifune is involved in a film, you can bet he will steal the show, and boy does he ever in Throne Of Blood.

Throne Of Blood is a superb interpretation of a Shakespeare tragedy. The story feels fresh, the characters are well rounded and interesting, and the film is very engaging from start to finish as it follows the inevitable downfall of its lead character. It's well worth watching if you love a good Japanese film, or hell, a good drama.