Akira Kurosawa's stunning reconception of Shakespeare's MACBETH is a dark samurai drama, full of powerful and haunting images. Set in feudal Japan, the film follows the path of an ambitious warlord (Toshiro Mifune) who fulfills a prophecy stating that he will become emperor. However, he achieves his goal by murder, setting off .. Read more
| Starring | Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Takashi Shimura |
|---|---|
| Director | Akira Kurosawa |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller, World Cinema |
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Akira Kurosawa's stunning reconception of Shakespeare's MACBETH is a dark samurai drama, full of powerful and haunting images. Set in feudal Japan, the film follows the path of an ambitious warlord (Toshiro Mifune) who fulfills a prophecy stating that he will become emperor. However, he achieves his goal by murder, setting off a chain of violence and retribution.
| Starring | Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Takashi Shimura |
|---|---|
| Director | Akira Kurosawa |
| Studio | BFI VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 45 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller, World Cinema |
| Language | Japanese |
| Subtitles | English |
| Released | DVD: 22 Oct 2001 Production year: 1957 |
| Format | DVD |
TS Eliot considered this the finest film ever made, although several critics have attacked this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth for the one-dimensionality of the characters. Whatever faults there may be in the dramatic structure, there's no denying the power of the atmosphere director Akira Kurosawa builds up through his majestic use of camera movement, while the eerie sets certainly justified the film's alternative title, Cobweb Castle. At the centre of these Noh tableaux stands Toshiro Mifune, as the villain who's so much at the mercy of fate and the elements that all you can feel at his death is pity.
A Japanese version of Macbeth with a savage and horrifying final sequence. The whole film is a treat to look at.
Macbeth transposed to feudal Japan, though without the original Shakespearean dialogue. One of the best examples of Kurasawa's genius, and also one of the best films ever made.
Kurosawa again manages to get a stunning performance out of Toshiro Mifune, who plays a warlord receiving a prophecy of greatness from a creepy witch. His even creepier wife then manipulates him into treachery for her own ambitions, leading to betrayal, madness and one of the most spectacular death scenes ever filmed.
Check there are no budding thespians cavorting in the vicinity before mentioning the name of the latest literary work to be adapted by Hollywood. No thesps around, ok. Well Macbeth, Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and one of his most popular plays, is going to be adapted again, this time by John Maybury, director of The Jacket. The Scottish Play - for the theatrically superstitious - has been a favourite for many film-makers looking to build on the bard's work. The archetypal anti-hero has... Read more