Throne of Blood is Akira Kurosawa's adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. This adaption sees the classic story transported to feudal Japan, a change that worked to the films advantage as the themes of honour and betrayal felt more authentic and consequential. As with all Kurosawa films it's impeccably shot, the film has an epic, grandiose scale. The cinematography is atmospheric and the use of nature and weather help to bring life to the film.
The film stars Toshiro Mifune as Taketoki Washizu a samurai warrior who along with his close friend Yoshiteru Miki (Akira Kubo) come across a spirit in the woods. The spirit prophesied that Washizu shall become ruler of cobweb castle and that Miki's son will rule after him. Leading to him becoming fearful of eventually being usurped. The film follows the play fairly closely with none of the major events being drastically altered.
The characters in the film are given deep characterisation. They all felt unique with distinct personalities. The standout in the film was Isuzu Yamada as Lady Asaji Washizu. She gives a brilliant, conniving snake like performance. Her whispers and manipulations in her husbands ear felt natural and authentic. You see the wheels of mistrust turn in Washizu's mind as her words begin playing on his mind, confirming that he needs to take action before being betrayed himself.
Throne of Blood is one of the best Shakespeare adaptions I've seen. It's also one of Kurosawa's most accessible films. There's not a-lot too add that people haven't already said, only that Throne of Blood is a bona fide classic.
The film stars Toshiro Mifune as Taketoki Washizu a samurai warrior who along with his close friend Yoshiteru Miki (Akira Kubo) come across a spirit in the woods. The spirit prophesied that Washizu shall become ruler of cobweb castle and that Miki's son will rule after him. Leading to him becoming fearful of eventually being usurped. The film follows the play fairly closely with none of the major events being drastically altered.
The characters in the film are given deep characterisation. They all felt unique with distinct personalities. The standout in the film was Isuzu Yamada as Lady Asaji Washizu. She gives a brilliant, conniving snake like performance. Her whispers and manipulations in her husbands ear felt natural and authentic. You see the wheels of mistrust turn in Washizu's mind as her words begin playing on his mind, confirming that he needs to take action before being betrayed himself.
Throne of Blood is one of the best Shakespeare adaptions I've seen. It's also one of Kurosawa's most accessible films. There's not a-lot too add that people haven't already said, only that Throne of Blood is a bona fide classic.