Featured Audience Ratings

• Aditya G

  
  Akira Kurosawa sure leaves no stone unturned when it comes to delivering a product that is an adaptation of a literary work of William Shakespeare. And of course, one wouldn't expect anything less from a prolific director like Kurosawa...he would be the last filmmaker on earth to… More
  Akira Kurosawa sure leaves no stone unturned when it comes to delivering a product that is an adaptation of a literary work of William Shakespeare. And of course, one wouldn't expect anything less from a prolific director like Kurosawa...he would be the last filmmaker on earth to make the Bard turn in his grave! "Throne of Blood" is Kurosawa's rendition of "The Tragedy of Macbeth". Those familiar with the story of Macbeth would know how it plays out. Despite the predictability of the story (only because the story is known to many and there have been various adaptations of the play over the years), Kurosawa crafts a powerful and gripping drama, transposing the plot of Macbeth to feudal Japan. The film tells the story of a Samurai Commander, Washizu (Toshiro Mifune), a valiant warrior working under Lord Tzuzuki. Triggered by an ominous prediction by an 'evil spirit', and further fuelled by the poisoning of his mind by his wife, Lady Asaji, Washizu turns greedy and his lust for power makes him commit regicide. The rest of the film details the bitter aftermath of his actions. Akira Kurosawa supposedly takes significant liberties with the original plot but the differences are insignificant, as the focus lies on the heinous acts committed by the central character, abetted by his wife, and the eventual catastrophe that lies in store for the both of them. There is a lot of ironical symbolism going on in the film. So while the evil spirit (akin to the three witches in Macbeth) makes prophecies about what the future holds for Washizu, there is that long yet outstanding sequence in which Washizu and Commander Miki are trying to find their way to the castle through the dense fog...they cannot really "see ahead". At one point, they are shown riding into the fog, into the screen and away from the viewer, they soon come back riding to the same point, visible again on the screen, showing how uncertain they are of their direction. The fog then probably represents the inherent inability of a human being to see "what lies ahead"! There is a constant sense of doom and despair in the latter part of the film, just like in Kurosawa's adaptation of another tragedy of Shakespeare ('King Lear'), the magnificent "Ran". Kurosawa's use of some Japanese chants in the beginning and the end of the film add an eerie touch to the narrative. Especially the beginning which shows the remains of what used to be Cobweb Castle. "Throne of Blood" also has one of the best, masterfully filmed climaxes in the history of Kurosawa films...one, during which you are likely to skip a beat! The camerawork is astounding as usual...which is not entirely a surprise, for this is, after all, a Kurosawa film! I can't help but mention here that Kurosawa would've excelled in making a horror film as well, and it shows with the manifestation of his vivid imagination of a radiating ghostly being spinning a yarn on a wheel deep in the dark woods....and its reappearance later amidst some excellent sound effects..these scenes are spine-chilling to say the least! There are some shortcomings though, which albeit minor, must be highlighted. Although the main focus of the film is the character of Washizu, some other very important characters are hardly developed or get almost no screen time! Best examples are the characters of Miki (Minoru Chiaki) and Noriyasu (Takashi Shimura). Takashi Shimura is one of the finest talents from the Kurosawa camp, yet he gets about five minutes of screen time in this! Ditto for Minoru Chiaki (who played the memorable role of Heihachi in "Seven Samurai"), who I think gets about five minutes more than Shimura! As for Lady Asaji, the scheming wife of Washizu, played by Isuzu Yamada; this character makes quite an impression, but one wonders why Kurosawa had to get such inconsistent and hence, unnatural acting done from her. For example, when she is doing some of her brainwashing acts on Washizu, she appears deadpan, stares at the wall and acts almost ghost-like with hardly any expression and talks without any tone modulation. But then again in other scenes, particularly during a feast and in a later, very important scene she seems to go overboard with animated emotions! She pulls both these extreme acts really well, but then the inconsistency in mannerisms of the character renders the character unnatural! Perhaps she is supposed to be another 'evil spirit' personified and hence such a representation?! Maybe.... But the man who rules the film in the acting department has to be the great Toshiro Mifune, whose fantabulous performance leaves you breathless and gasping for more! His amazing display of a range of emotions and the sheer energy he puts into his performance is applause-worthy. All said, "Throne of Blood" is a terrific film, and one of Kurosawa's greatest works. But it is very short by Kurosawa standards with a running time of about 105 minutes. The film itself is captivating and reaches its end before you know it. However,...and I rarely say this, the film should've been longer by at least another half hour; to focus more on the aforementioned important characters that drive the story.....or simply for giving Takashi Shimura some more screen time!

• Bruce B

  
  From the Criterion Collection Spine Number 190. Throne of Blood is a masterpiece by one of the world's greatest film makers at the height of his powers. Only Kurosawa could take the essence of Shakespearian stage drama and incorporate it into the medium of film as a dynamic… More
  From the Criterion Collection Spine Number 190. Throne of Blood is a masterpiece by one of the world's greatest film makers at the height of his powers. Only Kurosawa could take the essence of Shakespearian stage drama and incorporate it into the medium of film as a dynamic tour de force. Yet at the same time he remains faithful to elements of Noh (a stagy traditional Japanese play-form in which design and movement are minimalized). A seeming contradiction, dynamism and static-ness yet Kurosawa masters both in the same medium. As usual; acting, writing, cinematography, sound, direction and production are all pitch perfect. In this second Shakespearian based film by Kurosawa, focus is on the interplay of fate, free will and the fine thread the human psyche uses to weave the two together. On a more simpler level it is a man living and dying by the sword. In short what goes around comes around. What comes around for Toshiro Mifune as he gets his just deserts is a scene with straight as an arrow, perfect direction by Kurosawa leading to quite a pointed culminatin of events (pun intended...see the movie you'll understand). Bonus features include excellent linear notes as well as the superb commentary of Donald Richie. Few people are more knowledgeable about film and Japanese film then he. The commentary is almost as interesting as the movie itself. As usual Criterion presents its film in pristine condition. Some may complain that Criterion is too pricey but with them you get the best cinema has to offer. You cannot go wrong. One Kurosawa masterpiece packs more poignancy, punch and philosophy then 10 lesser films thus you get 10 times the movie at 5 times the price, really quite a deal if you look at it that way, 3-8-13

• Chris W

  
  Throne of Blood is basically William Shakespeare's Macbeth, only set in Feudal Japan. The setting is quite fitting given the subject matter, and in the hands of a master like Akira Kurosawa, you know the results will be great. And great they are. I'm familair with the… More
  Throne of Blood is basically William Shakespeare's Macbeth, only set in Feudal Japan. The setting is quite fitting given the subject matter, and in the hands of a master like Akira Kurosawa, you know the results will be great. And great they are. I'm familair with the source material (I read it way back in high school), but even though I don't have it committed to memory, I know enough to be able to say that, despite taking some liberties with the material, Kurosawa did a great job of getting the general point across. So, while it succeeds as an adaptation, it really works best as just an epic character study about power, control, paranoia, ambition, and guilt. The costumes, sets, and period details are all top notch and brimming with accuracy. The cinematography is quite gorgeous, and I love the repeated shots of fog. The only thing that really sorte of bugged me (and even then only from time to time was the music. It's period appropriate, but it sometiems comes in very jarringly, and isn't always easy on the ear. As for the acting, I probably don't need to say much. Mifune is perfect as always, and his work only solidifies the fact that he was and still is the greatest Japanese actor of all time. Isuzu Yamads is great as the Lady Macbeth counterpart, and whoever played the forest spirit is effectively creepy and forboding. There's a great sense of style and mood here, and the battles are quite thrilling (both the fighting kind and the emotional/mental). The end sequence is quite brilliant, as we see Mifune's Washizu give a daring and intense final stand against an approaching group of soldiers. All in all, this is excellent stuff. Then again, Kurosawa almost always delivered, so everything I just wrote pretty much goes without saying. Whether you dig Shakespeare or not, give this film a go. It's awesome.

• Keiko A

  
  Akira Kurosawa film adaptations of a Shakespeare play? And without a doubt the best thing ever done on Macbeth easy. Just add my country --Japan-- and you have another hit. The amazing Toshirō Mifune is of course in this epic by Kurosawa. Nicely done music and… More
  Akira Kurosawa film adaptations of a Shakespeare play? And without a doubt the best thing ever done on Macbeth easy. Just add my country --Japan-- and you have another hit. The amazing Toshirō Mifune is of course in this epic by Kurosawa. Nicely done music and settings....I loved the landscapes and production aspects. Beautiful costumes and camera work and direction. Oh hell it's my second favourite Kurosawa and one of my top 20 you go figure.

• Wildaly M

  
  Watching this Japanese version was strange for me and I wasn't exactly sure what to think of it as I watched. Some parts were different but great (the cultural aspects of Japan embedded in what is supposed to be English play) while others just plain weird (i.e. the witches being… More
  Watching this Japanese version was strange for me and I wasn't exactly sure what to think of it as I watched. Some parts were different but great (the cultural aspects of Japan embedded in what is supposed to be English play) while others just plain weird (i.e. the witches being replaced by some sort of eerie ghost spirit). Lady Macbeth was very creepy. Slowly the film gets better and towards the end it definitely had my attention. Being a definitely interesting re-working of Shakespeare's Macbeth, this was worth the watch.

• AJ V

  
  Having already seen Macbeth in more traditional forms, I could see where the Shakespeare tale fit into this movie, and I wasn't very surprised by anything that happened. The style is pretty good, though, and the actors are good too, but for some reason I wasn't all that… More
  Having already seen Macbeth in more traditional forms, I could see where the Shakespeare tale fit into this movie, and I wasn't very surprised by anything that happened. The style is pretty good, though, and the actors are good too, but for some reason I wasn't all that impressed by this version of Macbeth. Not that it isn't good, I just think it could have been better.

• danny d

  
  akira kurosawa's version of shakespears macbeth. this is the film i chose to watch on kurosawa's centennial birthday, and this most recent viewing was the best. part ghost story, part betrayal story, mifune plays a rare role as a villian and does a magnificent job as… More
  akira kurosawa's version of shakespears macbeth. this is the film i chose to watch on kurosawa's centennial birthday, and this most recent viewing was the best. part ghost story, part betrayal story, mifune plays a rare role as a villian and does a magnificent job as always bringing out the stregth and passion of his character. there were some chilling shots in the film, especially because of kurosawa's phenomenal use of the fog and forest landscapes, and the story was told well. a story about a woman with a poisonous tongue confusing her loyal husband into betrayal and treason against his lord in fuedal japan. the wife plays a character riddled with evil. a wonderful tale about how ambition misdirected leads to a doomed path.

• Anthony L

  
  This is nothing short of genius. Kurosawa does Shakespeare better than anyone else ever has. The last scene is just awesome cinema!

• Cindy I

  
  Akira Kurosawa's version of Shakespeare's MacBeth is stunning in my opinion. The decision to move the story from Elizabethan England to the samurai culture of feudal Japan was a stroke of genius.The story -- for those of you living under a rock for the last 400 years, of a… More
  Akira Kurosawa's version of Shakespeare's MacBeth is stunning in my opinion. The decision to move the story from Elizabethan England to the samurai culture of feudal Japan was a stroke of genius.The story -- for those of you living under a rock for the last 400 years, of a man's craving for power and position (gently shoved along by his wife) and the paranoia that develops when that power is obtained -- translated perfectly. Toshiro Mifune as Washizu is always great to watch, but my vote for best performance here goes to Isuzu Yamada in the Lady MabBeth role, known here as Lady Washizu. She's calculating and evil when she is pushing her husband to greater political heights, and both scary and sympathetic after she has mentally gone off the deep end. Like Kurosawa's film Ran, this is done in a theatrical Noh style, which gives it fairy-tale/nightmare quality. I've always loved what Kurosawa does with rainstorms, and the storm in the woods is powerful and spooky and wonderful. The film is slow-moving at times, but I feel that adds to the film rather than takes away from it. The first 15 minutes and the last 15 minutes alone are worth the price of admission. An amazing achievement for all involved.

• El Hombre I

  
  It's funny how the most satisfying movie adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays are not necessarily the most faithful. While Laurence Olivier made high quality versions of Henry V and Richard III, there can be more fun to be had watching the Ian McKellen Richard III.… More
  It's funny how the most satisfying movie adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays are not necessarily the most faithful. While Laurence Olivier made high quality versions of Henry V and Richard III, there can be more fun to be had watching the Ian McKellen Richard III. Throne of Blood is a must see for people who wanted to see Shakespeare plays from a different perspective with its' burly battles, cast of hundreds, and larger-than-life performances in the samurai genre. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=throne_of_blood1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/throne_of_blood1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Randy T

  
  Kurosawa's compelling "samurai" adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. This isn't just a typical retelling of the story or a film version of the stage play, this is much more of a character study with surprising depth and motivation. An epic film, in every… More
  Kurosawa's compelling "samurai" adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. This isn't just a typical retelling of the story or a film version of the stage play, this is much more of a character study with surprising depth and motivation. An epic film, in every sense of the word.

• Cassandra M

  
  Directors don't come much better than Kurosawa, writers don't come much better than Shakespeare, and movies don't come much better than this excellent combination of the two. Add Mifune's acting, plus a good supporting cast (including a really good performance by… More
  Directors don't come much better than Kurosawa, writers don't come much better than Shakespeare, and movies don't come much better than this excellent combination of the two. Add Mifune's acting, plus a good supporting cast (including a really good performance by Isuzu Yamada), and you have a top-quality, classic film. In retelling the story of "Macbeth" with characters from medieval Japan, Kurosawa does honor to the original and creates a fine achievement in its own right. Much of the time, when Shakespeare plots are transferred to different settings, what results is only a shadow of the original, because too many directors have only a limited grasp of what Shakespeare's deep masterpieces are all about. That is not at all the case here - Kurosawa shows a great appreciation for the themes and potential of the Macbeth story, and adds plenty of masterful touches of his own, creating a distinctive, memorable atmosphere and characters that come to life in their own right in addition to serving as worthy parallels to the Macbeth characters. There are many fine details that enhance both the medieval Japanese setting and also the important themes of the story itself. Whether you like Shakespeare, Kurosawa, or both, "Throne of Blood" is an excellent movie that should not disappoint.

• Stella D

  
  kurosawa's macbeth has just the right atmosphere and mood. mifune is a bit hyperdramatic in the finale but his wife is dead creepy

• Tsubaki S

  
  Can't say i like it as much as other films by the master, gets too teatrical for me at times, but you seriously can't go wrong with the great atmosphere Kurosawa creates here. That witch is scary.

• xGary X

  
  Akira Kurosawa's eye for wonderful visuals comes to the fore once again in this stunning adaptation of Macbeth, which lends itself toa relocation to feudal Japan perfectly. I particularly liked the way he merged some wonderfully atmospheric camera techniques with it's still… More
  Akira Kurosawa's eye for wonderful visuals comes to the fore once again in this stunning adaptation of Macbeth, which lends itself toa relocation to feudal Japan perfectly. I particularly liked the way he merged some wonderfully atmospheric camera techniques with it's still highly theatrical feel. Toshiro Mifune gives an incredibly intense performance as the general destroyed by his ambition, the subdued scenes between he and his manipulative wife are particularly memorable. And what an ending. Unfortunately I can't comment on the dialogue, as this was yet another example of a DVD company's insistence on hiring a translator who can't actually speak English. "The hand of the spider bush is moving to the city" indeed...

• Michael G

  
  The Japanese Macbeth. Good, but I always watch it if I need to fall asleep. The subtitles and pauses in dialogue knock me out every time.

• Luke B

  
  Kurosawa meets Shakespeare. Too amazing to even contemplate? Well simply sit back and experience the best adaptation of the great writers work. Moving from Scotland to Japan, with an intense performance from Mifune. An ending most films would kill for. Very atmospheric and at times… More
  Kurosawa meets Shakespeare. Too amazing to even contemplate? Well simply sit back and experience the best adaptation of the great writers work. Moving from Scotland to Japan, with an intense performance from Mifune. An ending most films would kill for. Very atmospheric and at times chilling.

• Byron B

  
  Not as good as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, or Yojimbo, the only other Kurosawa pictures I've seen so far. Pretty slow moving and not as creepy as I think it was intended to be. There are some good effects for the old ghost/evil spirit, which gives Washizu (Mifune) and Miki (Kubo)… More
  Not as good as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, or Yojimbo, the only other Kurosawa pictures I've seen so far. Pretty slow moving and not as creepy as I think it was intended to be. There are some good effects for the old ghost/evil spirit, which gives Washizu (Mifune) and Miki (Kubo) the prophesy. All the important plot points of Shakespeare's drama are adapted to Medieval Japan. There is a lot of riding horses in circles in the woods and Mifune pacing anxiously and yelling his lines. Lady Washizu (Yamada) is cunning in manipulating her husband to take more power, but according to Japanese feminine ideals is much more demure than I would expect from a Lady Macbeth. There are many beautiful desolate compositions in the film and memorable visuals such as the hundreds of arrows surrounding Washizu at the end, but the performances are a bit too heavy-handed and clumsy this time around. Even so, it is an essential variation on the theme.

• Matthew Y

  
  The absolute best retelling of the most enjoyable Shakespearean work Macbeth. I hate most remakes but love love love when other cultures retell the story in their own cultural settings. It usually makes for fantastic watches and captivating cinema. The film has excellent acting,… More
  The absolute best retelling of the most enjoyable Shakespearean work Macbeth. I hate most remakes but love love love when other cultures retell the story in their own cultural settings. It usually makes for fantastic watches and captivating cinema. The film has excellent acting, beautiful set designs and art direction and possibly the only film where Mifunes performance upstages Kurosawa's directing. The film ends on a fantastic high-note as Mifune is cornered and killed by a barrage of arrows. When asked how he was able to act so terrified in that scene Mifune responded by saying "Oh that wasn't acting, that was real fear" apparently the scene was shot with expert marksmen shooting real arrows mere inches from Mifune. Classic!

• Gevvy S

  
  Another one of Kurosawa's brilliant masterpieces. An example of how good of a story teller he is by adapting Shakespeare's MacBeth into a story taking place in feudalistic Japan. Kurosawa removes Shakespeare's language, making it more accessible and adding elements from… More
  Another one of Kurosawa's brilliant masterpieces. An example of how good of a story teller he is by adapting Shakespeare's MacBeth into a story taking place in feudalistic Japan. Kurosawa removes Shakespeare's language, making it more accessible and adding elements from Noh Theatre to retell this great story. Toshiro Mifune plays the lead giving a great performance as very intense and extremely fierce warrior. This has got to be my favorite performance of Toshiro Mifune. His acting is much more mature and his raw intensity, displayed in past films like Rashomon and Seven Samurai, was much more channeled and refined. His amazing performance and Kurosawa's great execution make this my favorite film of his as well. The ominous mood of the film is set well by Kurosawa using ample fog and various sounds including screeching of crows and Noh music. A true classic and perhaps the best shakespeare adaptation of all time.

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