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Throne Of Blood Details

1957 DVD Certificate PG.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 4953 members

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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Throne Of Blood

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 DVD Certificate PG.gif
Genres Action/Adventure, Thriller, World Cinema
Language Japanese
Subtitles 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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  • 10 out of 11 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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  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Another Mifune tour de force

    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.

      • Paul Meredith from Halifax
  • 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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Rating breakdown

4,953 Member ratings
  • 100
800
  • 90
624
  • 80
1,092
  • 70
864
  • 60
686
  • 50
343
  • 40
190
  • 30
143
  • 20
140
  • 10
71

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    • Throne Of Blood
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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 (...