Kurosawa's Ran

[RangerWickett]

Well, I just watched Kurosawa Akira's Ran, an adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear. Honestly, guys, that man can direct. I always love it when the visuals of a movie actually overwhelm me. I mean, sure, Lord of the Rings has had some pretty groovy moments that have been very cinematic, but I don't know if I've ever seen something quite as impressive as Lord Hidetori descending the stairs of the flaming castle.

Anyway, I just had to gush briefly. Goodbye now.

 

[Alzrius]

Well, I just watched Kurosawa Akira's Ran, an adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear.

I think it was inspired by King Lear, but I'm not sure how much it was a real adaption of it (I don't think it was to the same degree that West Side Story was of Romeo & Juliet).

I don't know if I've ever seen something quite as impressive as Lord Hidetori descending the stairs of the flaming castle.

That movie, I must admit, was a work of art. I think my favorite character in that was the (underdepicted) Kurogane. The ending is so perfectly done too, to say nothing of how it really shows Kurosawa's mindset at the time (this movie was made after his suicide attempt).

 

[Dark Jezter]

I rented this movie a few months ago when I heard people keep saying that it had the coolest battle scene ever filmed. I thought it was a good movie, but I wasn't too impressed with the battle scenes, which could basically be described in this fashion: "Riflemen fire, men fall off horses, lather, rinse, repeat." Although I will admit that the sheer scope of the battles was impressive; they must have had thousands of extras all in costume.

BTW, did anyboy notice that the blood in this movie was pretty fake-looking? It's pink!

 

[Celtavian]

re

Kurosawa was way ahead of his time. Now I will have to see Ran.

 

[jester47]

Ran is a close adaptatin of King Lear. Down to the characters and plot. Kurosawa said it himself. The culture and names have been changed, and some characters switch genders, but it is the same plot.

Aaron.

 

[RangerWickett]

The color of the blood seemed more orangish to me, but yes, it doesn't look real. Probably some legal requirement that he chose to follow, rather than an artistic choice.

And yes, the battles weren't that cool for style's sake, but emotionally there were some very powerful scenes of combat. Of course, I was enthralled by the movie, but even I looked at the gunmen shooting at the cavalry and wondered why they never seemed to hit any horses.

 

[Mallus]

Kurosawa was way ahead of his time. Now I will have to see Ran.

If at all possible, try and catch it on the big screen.

And then check out Yojimbo. Its a much smaller scale film, but Toshio Mifune plays just about the coolest tough-guy samurai ever.

 

[KenM]

Is it on DVD? I got to see it on the big screen back in 1985.

 

[trilobite]

If you like Ran check out Throne of Blood. It is a Kurosawa adaptation of Macbeth.

 

[Wombat]

Personally, I'm still waiting for a dvd edition of my favourite film of his -- Kagemusha.

**sigh**

Love that film...