Review of Throne of Blood (1957) by Stuart K — 07 May 2014

After the double success of Ikiru (1952) and Seven Samurai (1954). Writer and director Akira Kurosawa was given a little more free reign by Toho Studios, who were nearly driven to bankruptcy by Seven Samurai.

After his nuclear drama I Live in Fear (1955), he decided to do an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, only transfered to feudal Japan. It makes for powerful and gritty viewing. General Miki (Minoru Chiaki) and General Washizu (Toshiro Mifune) are two Samurais who work for local war lord Lord Tsuzuki (Takamaru Sasaki), who defeat their enemies in a ferocious battle.

On the way back to Tsuzuki, they come across a Forrest Spirit (Chieko Naniwa), who tells them that Washizu will become Master of North Castle and later Lord of Forest Castle, while Miki will become Commander of Fort One, and his son will become Master of North Castle.

Upon returning, Washizu tells this prophecy to his wife Asaji (Isuzu Yamada), who is determined to see these prophecies come true, and she plots to kill Tsuzuki, but consequences follow. It's a good take on Shakespeare's play, even though it takes a few liberties here and there, it keeps the spirit of the source very much alive, and it proves that even if you change a settling, Shakespeare's works will still translate in any language.

But it's well made, and it has some good technical moments for it's day.