Description: One of the most celebrated screen adaptations of Shakespeare into film, Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood re-imagines Macbeth in feudal Japan. Starring Kurosawa’s longtime collaborator Toshiro Mifune and the legendary Isuzu Yamada as his ruthless wife, the film tells of a valiant warrior’s savage rise to power and his ignominious fall. With Throne of Blood, Kurosawa fuses one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies with the formal elements of Japanese Noh theater to make a Macbeth that is all his own—a classic tale of ambition and duplicity set against a ghostly landscape of fog and inescapable doom.
Amazon.com essential video: A champion of illumination and experimental shading, Kurosawa brings his unerring eye for indelible images to Shakespeare in this 1957 adaptation of Macbeth. By changing the locale from Birnam Wood to 16th-century Japan, Kurosawa makes an oddball argument for the trans-historicity of Shakespeare's narrative; and indeed, stripped to the bare mechanics of the plot, the tale of cutthroat ambition rewarded (and thwarted) feels infinitely adaptable. What's lost in the translation, of course, is the force and beauty of the language--much of the script of Throne of Blood is maddeningly repetitive or superfluous--but striking visual images (including the surreal Cobweb Forest and some extremely artful gore) replace the sublime poetry. Toshiro Mifune is theatrically intense as Washizu, the samurai fated to betray his friend and master in exchange for the prestige of nobility; he portrays the ill-fated warrior with a passion bordering on violence, and a barely concealed conviviality. Somewhat less successful is Isuzu Yamada as Washizu's scheming wife; her poise and creepy impassivity, chilling at first, soon grows tedious. Kurosawa himself is the star of the show, though, and his masterful use of black-and-white contrast-- not to mention his steady, dramatic hand with a battle scene--keeps the proceedings thrilling. A must-see for fans of Japanese cinema, as well as all you devotees of samurai weapons and armor. --Miles Bethany
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Rating: - Good
Akira Kurosawa's black and white 1957 film Throne of Blood (Kumonosu Jô- literally Spider-Web's Castle) is a very good film, but not quite up there with the best of his films, like Seven Samurai, Ikiru, nor The Bad Sleep Well, despite its vaunted adaptation from Shakespeare's Macbeth. That said, the hour and forty nine minute long film, written by Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, and Ryuzo Kikushima, features one of the best performances by its star, longtime Kurosawa leading man Toshirô Mifune as Taketori Washizu, the warrior who has the Macbeth role. Yet, in watching this film, I have come to the conclusion that while there is a minor influence from Macbeth, it is in no way merely a Japanized version of the Bard's play. There are just too many significant differences, as well as the clear power and influence of the Noh Theater on this film, which is absent from other historical Kurosawa classics, period films called ... Read More
Rating: - Bloodshed & Treachery - Sengoku Period Aptly Portrayed
Kurosawa's epic Throne of Blood deftly captures both the spirit of Shakespeare's Macbeth and the Age of the Warring States (Sengoku) of Japan.
For students of Japanese history, Throne of Blood is great film to check out to understand the spirit of the Sengoku Period (Age of Warring States). Though the story and characters are fictional, the motives are real and very similar events depicted in the film occurred often throughout that period.
The Sengoku Period from the late 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century is the perfect setting for a medival Japanese retelling of Macbeth. It was a time of relentless warfare between small provinces that were kingdoms in their own right. It was also a time of treachery and betrayal - the low overthrowing the high. A number of houses were toppled from within by their own deputies.
In fact, Kurosawa's retelling of Macbeth is actually more ... Read More
Rating: - Classic Kurosawa
Throne of Blood is a study of a warlord (played by Toshiro Mifune) led by fate in form of a prophesy, straight to his doom. Is it the prophesy or the characters lack of trust in each other that leads them to their doom? The film has a supernatural element: a spirit who, early in the movie, utters a prophesy. This is not a realistic movie depicting 16th century Japan, but rather a dark fairy tale. The acting and the stage sets are terrific, and the film can easily be watched again.
This DVD is up to Criterions usual standards. The picture is awesome (I watched it on a projector) with sharp details of armor pieces and foggy landscapes rendered beautiful. Especially for a movie 47 years old. Also there are two different subtitles, the new one is considered more difficult. I watched it with the new one and while some sentences seemed a little strange, there are no difficulties understanding what is going on.
Rating: - Blood Will Have Blood
Another Kurosawa masterpiece. Kurosawa directed four masterpieces in the 1950's: Throne of Blood, Ikiru, Rashomon & Seven Samurai. Throne of Blood is the master director's loose interpretation of MacBeth. Shakespeare's themes of ambition, betrayal, & regicide are brought to Japan's feudal 14th century as a Kurosawan noh play.
Kurosawa brilliantly combines innovative and distinctive narrative and camera techniques with classic noh elements such as noh masks, exaggerated body movements and speech, flute and drums, unadorned sets, elaborate costumes and ghosts. Toshiro Mifune is, as always, a perfect contrast to Kurosawa's meticulous storytelling. Mifune had a leave-nothing-in-the-dressing room approach to acting and the effect is fascinating and electrifying as he hurls toward his fate at the behest of his evil, scheming wife. Isuzu Yamada is perfectly creepy as she wears her heavily made up face as ... Read More
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- Bloodshed & Treachery - Sengoku Period Aptly Portrayed
