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Throne Of Blood on DVD (1957)

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Average rating: (76%)
1111291220614
3.5
 
Starring: Toshiro Mifune | Isuzu Yamada | Minoru Chiaki | Takashi Shimura
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Studio: BFI VIDEO
Run time: 105 mins
Certificate: PG
User collections: FILMS THAT LEFT A MARK ON ME AS OF 26/03/2007 | It came from the East | The Revolution Will Be Televised - Or Watched on DVD | Samurai Cinema | 10 Great Films Inspired By Shakespeare
Genres: Action/Adventure | Thriller | World Cinema
Languages: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Released: 22/10/2001

Brief synopsis of 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.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 5 stars out of 5 Radio Times

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.

Rating of 4 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

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

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsIs this a dagger I see before me

A customer from Northern Ireland , 06/03/2004

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.

  7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsAnother Mifune tour de force

Paul Meredith from Halifax , 11/08/2004

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.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 stars

malcolm#1 from NEW QUAY , 06/03/2004

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.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsExcellent

McClennan from St Helens , 15/01/2006

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.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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