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Throne Of Blood Details

1957 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 5023 members

Macbeth is reimagined as a samurai in feudal Japan in director Akira Kurosawa's classic adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy. Familiar with Orson Welles's more faithful adaptation, Kurosawa chose to place a more personal stamp on his version by translating the events and characters to historical Japan. The equivalent of the .. Read more

Starring Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Takashi Shimura
Director Akira Kurosawa
Genres Action/Adventure, Thriller, World Cinema

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Throne Of Blood

Macbeth is reimagined as a samurai in feudal Japan in director Akira Kurosawa's classic adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy. Familiar with Orson Welles's more faithful adaptation, Kurosawa chose to place a more personal stamp on his version by translating the events and characters to historical Japan. The equivalent of the tragic Scottish lord is Taketoki Washizu (Toshiro Mifune), a valiant warrior whose life is transformed by an encounter with a ghostly female spirit. The spirit offers several predictions, finally stating that Washizu will rise to power over the current warlord. When these predictions begin coming true, he and his ambitious wife decide to ensure his ascendancy to power by murdering the current ruler. As with Macbeth, Washizu achieves his goal, but his guilt and the suspicions of others soon bring about his downfall. The shift to Japanese settings is seamless, creating a historically accurate and resonant work with a culturally distinct visual style. The supporting performances also recall Japanese tradition, particularly Isuzu Yamada's creepily unemotional take on Lady Macbeth, while Mifune proves consistently gripping in the sheer intensity of his performance. The intelligence of Kurosawa's alterations retains the drama's tragic impact, especially during the conclusion, in which Washizu makes a memorable final stand against an advancing army. Impressive in every regard, Throne of Blood seems secure in the pantheon of superior film adaptations of William Shakespeare.~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Starring Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Takashi Shimura
Director Akira Kurosawa
Studio BFI VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 45 mins
Certificate Certificate PG
Genres Action/Adventure, Thriller, World Cinema
Language DVD: Japanese
Subtitles DVD: English
Released DVD: 22 Oct 2001
Production year: 1957
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (3) of Throne Of Blood

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  • 5 stars out of 5

    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.

    • Radio Times
  • 4 stars out of 4

    A Japanese version of Macbeth with a savage and horrifying final sequence. The whole film is a treat to look at.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of Throne Of Blood

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  • 12 out of 13 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Is this a dagger I see before me

    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.

      • A customer from Northern Ireland
  • Most recent members' review of Throne Of Blood

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  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Seriously Arty

    If you are an 'art house' type, this has significant appeal, and will equally please if you have a penchant for bushido or things Samurai.

    For anybody else, particularly if you are looking for 'bullet proof monk' or 'crouching tiger' type films, dont bother.

      • Caravan Critic from Herts
  • News and features

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    Joe Macbeth

    Is this an adaptation I see before me?

    • 28 Jun 2006

    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

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5,023 Member ratings
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880
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691
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347
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196
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145
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143
  • 10
72

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    • Macbeth is reimagined as a samurai in feudal Japan in director Akira Kurosawa's classic adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy. Familiar with Orson Welles's more faithful adaptation, Kurosawa chose ...