Ran

Production year: 1985

Action R   Running time: 2:40 

IMDB rating:   8.2     Aspect: Wide;  Languages: Japanese;  Subtitles: English;  Audio: DD 5.1

Akira Kurosawa's brilliantly conceived retelling of King Lear combines Japanese history and Shakespeare's plot with the director's own feelings about loyalty and betrayal. In 16th century Japan, the aging Lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai) passes the decree that his land be divided among his three children. Blinded by the false flattery of his two older songs, he banishes his younger son for speaking the truth. The remaining heirs, driven by power and greed, wage war upon each other. A broken man, Hidetora descends into madness while death and destruction threaten the survival of the kingdom.

Director

Features

Audio commentary
Cast biographies/profiles/filmographies
Featurettes/Behind-The-Scenes/Documentaries
Interviews
Production notes
Trailers/TV spots

Special features

Commentary Track With Peter Grilli
Commentary Track With Stephen Prince
Restoration Demo
Weblinks
A.K. - the acclaimed feature-length documentary on the making of Ran from writer/director Chris Marker
Akira Kurosawa: The Epic and the Intimate: documentary on the director
The Samurai: documentary on Samurai art
Art of the Samurai: interview with a Japanese art of war expert
Ran