Throne Of Blood Reviews

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.

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.

One of those films i've known that I "ought to see" but avoided because i 'ought to see' it. Amazing film - one of the most exciting pieces of cinema i've ever seen. Wished i'd seen it years ago. Went straight onto Amazon and bought it.

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.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Excellent

The most enjoyable Kurosawa samurai film that I've seen is an adaptation of Macbeth. One of the most stylised films of his that I've seen the presentation of many of the scenes in a more theatrical way fitted beautifully alongside the expected external cinematography. Even though I knew the story inside out, it didn't prevent me from enjoying this film.

A highly recommendable film, cleverly filmed, beautifully acted and a great story (based on macbeth) however the harrowing, black subject matter of macbeth makes this a film not one of my favourite kurosawa films as i think it is holding back kurosawas trend of creating somewhat hopefull, humane and rather harmless (barring a few) films with a very moral core, im not saying that macbeth is a poor unhuman play or anything, its just that it doesnt work too well on the big screen in my opinion and as a consequence the film has a rather theatrical feel to it. <p>But if your a fan of kurosawa and shakespear (even though most of the dialogue is written by kurosawa not shakespear, no "is this a dagger is see before me" etc ,he actually uses a spear!) then i would recommend it.

Mifune Masterclass

Again another fantastic film from kurusowa, macbeth transported to feudal japan, although not the orignal dialogue, this film captures all of the fear associated with macbeth, Mifune is astounding, with the fear in the character escalating visually. Plus one of the most astounding end sequences you will ever see. Truly Magnificent..

Full of sound and fury

A surprisingly successful transplantation of "Macbeth" into Japanese culture, with only the key outlines of the Shakespeare play in place. Gone are the soliloquies which give so much weight and depth to the characters in the theatre, allowing the movie to focus more on the action than on the psychology.

Ravishing to look at, with the samurai warriors often looking like giant insects; fast moving, with a truly frightening climax; and a brilliant book-ending at start and finish, which gives the film a sense of a dream, or something so lost in the mists of time as to be almost unreal.

Mifune is always perilously close to hamming, but also has that great screen presence which conveys power and violence. The contrast between his quietly deadly wife, and his own frenetic hyper-activity, is well achieved.

All in all, another great Kurosawa movie.

Physical and emotional atmosphere

Given the dark and brooding nature of the story, this is a wonderful translation turning Shakespeare's classic story into 'The Japanese Play' as only Kurosawa can. The bleakness of the surroundings - when the wind blows you fell cold, when its foggy - you feel lost. Of course the acting and direction make it more stylised, but with an excellent performance from Toshiro Mifune [as always], this is an excellent way to spend a wet and windy Sunday afternoon.

ira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood is one of the best adaptations of William Shakespeare?s Macbeth that you will find on film the story follows Washizu (Macbeth) a warrior who after winning a great victory is promoted and after being urged by his wife seizes control of his clan by murderous means. What can I say about this film nothing more then it's a classic with for anybody who has an interest in films this is one to watch