A really interesting take on Macbeth by the Genius that was Akira Kurosawa, infact i perfere this adaption to any other, versions in the West are so reliant on dialouge. which takes away so much from the medium (film). This version has been thrown straight into Japanese culture and it fits perfectly. reliant on Mise-en-scene and symbolism rather than dialouge to me bring the heart of the story to life. fantastic director/actor pairing of kurosawa and Mifune yet again
I suggested to watch this film by a friend. I was on for the ride. It's starts of well and ends well, it's just very slow. I found myself drifting in and out of the story. It's nice and interesting to watch, especially at the end, but overall I didn't like it very much.
Need I explain myself? This movie "Kumonosu jo as it is called in Japanese is Akira Kurosawa's Magbeth! There can be no parellel to kurosawa in film history, and yes, this movie casts Toshiro Mifune.
Kurosawa does not disappoint in this bloody adaptation of Shakespeare?s Macbeth. The set pieces are large and exquisite as well as having large suits of armor on Taketori Washizu for large portions of the film. Washizu is the main character, Macbeth, and played brilliant by the ever energetic Toshiro Mifune. He plays the character brilliantly as he falls from his strong willed self into a man crazed with his own destiny and the prophecy of evil ghosts. Equally as good is Lady Asaji Washizu, played by Isuzu Yamada, who takes more initiative in her husband?s advancement than he does at first.
The film takes a bit to get going as the main character is not even seen for the opening portion of the film, but once advancements in his position start happening it builds up speed to the bloody conclusion. It truly is a throne of blood by the end of the film.
As far as the overall power of presence on screen, I'm not sure that there is anyone better than Toshiro Mifune. He just oozes greatness every moment he is on screen. Akira Kurosawa's adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth is just fantastic. The scenery is just beautiful and the final arrow rain scene was just masterfully done (I read that the arrows Mifune dodge were actual arrows shot by professional archers). Definitely a movie to see if you are a fan of samurai's, Kurosawa or just cinema in general. You won't be disappointed by this film.
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.
in my opinion the best version of hamlet eva...i know thatz a bold statement but the finlal climax of this film is nofin short of extraordinary!!! toshiro mifune is revolutionary!!!
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...
Masterful retelling of "Macbeth", with samurais. It moves a bit slow at times, but Toshiro Mifune is mesmerizing to watch. This is actually my first foray into Kurosawa territory, and it's solid, excellent work. Looking forward to watching more of his films. And proof once again that the tales of the Bard transcend all genres and time periods.
If you need to adapt a Shakespeare play, look no furthur that Kurosawa to do it for you. He really knows how to hit every single note, and bring all of the proper emotions into his own world, even contributing and editing it into a more perfect shape than it might have been originally. In Throne Of Blood, Kurosawa is playing. He's investigating what he can do with cuts and edits, he's seeing how far he can take us down the path the original play went before losing us, and he's seeing how much he can really haunt us with this tale that may seem dated and historical. He succeeds on absolutely every count. Kurosawa sweeps us through fog, makes castles dissapear and reappear, and shoots arrows through necks seamlessly as he does things with his camera that no director should've been able to do in the fifties. But it's not just about the technique, it's about the feeling of mystery and the supernatural that we're given, and we need that to enter the mind of Toshiro Mifune's character, as he becomes more and more disturbed by the world around him; the ghosts of the forest, the pressing evil of his wife, and the knowledgeof his own crimes. Speaking of Mifune, his blend of lunacy and theatrics work perfectly as he portrays the eccentric mutiner who rises to power out of blood and goes too far. I've seen few black and white movies as visually stunning as Throne of Blood, almost transcending the color spectrum with its vivid layout, and it's probably the closest you'll ever get with a Shakespeare adaptation. You'll be scared, you'll be affected, and you'll know that somehow, everything you feel is applicable.
The final image of Kurosawa's Macbeth character, played by Toshiro Mifune, captures all that is tragic in the warrior-king. Another of Kurosawa's brilliant war films, Throne of Blood is the best reimagining of Shakespeare to come along until Ran, nearly thirty years later.
I love this movie! MacBeth done in feudal Japan! And done well. It achieves level that I've yet to see in traditional plays. Kurosawa does a great job. Mifune is excellent as well
Shakespeare's Macbeth set in fuedal Japan, with suitable twists and cultural modifications to make this a genuine story all its own. The ending is superb. Now if only the real Macbeth were this interesting!
Probably the best-lighted Kurosawa film I've seen. Really beautiful black and white cinema. Also probably the best acting I've seen form Mifune. Some scenes may have been a little too drawn-out.
MCT:July 26, 2008
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