Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Screenplay by Akira Kurosawa and Hideo Oguni and Masato Ide
Based on the play King Lear by William Shakespeare
Ran is Kurosawa’s last masterpiece from a man who made many. He made three more films afterwards, but none came close to the size and scope of Ran. Financing had been hard for Kurosawa to raise in his later years. Since Red Beard in 1965, he was making one film every five years and at the age of 75, Ran was quite likely to be his last, so he pulled out all the stops to make as glorious a spectacle and a statement as he could, and he succeeded mightily. He returned to Shakespeare, transporting the story’s setting to 16th century Japan as he did previously when he created Throne of Blood out of Macbeth. King Lear is the inspiration for Ran and Kurosawa improves on the bard’s work.
The aging Lord Hidetora Ichimonji has accumulated a great deal of power and wealth over the years with his warring ways. He decides its time to pass on his kingdom to his sons, yet he wants to retain his title and privileges. He also wants to take a small staff with him as he alternates living between three castles. Taro, the oldest, is made head of the house and is given the first castle. Jiro, the second oldest and a mighty warrior, is given the second castle. They play on Hidetora’s vanity and fawn over him.
Saburo, the youngest, is given the third castle. His character is based on Lear’s Cordelia. He truly loves his father, illustrated in a scene when he creates shade for the sleeping Hidetora; however, his honesty is misinterpreted by his father’s vanity. Saburo calls out his brothers’ false flattery and informs Hidetora that his idealistic thoughts of everyone living together harmoniously aren’t realistic in the time they live nor in the way he has raised them. Hidetora sees Saburo as being contrary and disrespectful, thinking his words belie his intentions to turn on his father, which are the furthest thing from the truth. Hidetora banishes Saburo from his land for his perceived insolence.
After Taro and his wife, Lady Kaede, whose family suffered greatly at the hands of Hidetora, take over the first castle, the accuracy of Saburo’s claims is quickly revealed. Taro, assisted by his wife’s prodding, insults his father’s honor and causes him to leave the castle. Jiro is goaded by his men to move on the weaker Taro, but he awaits an opening, though he knows he doesn’t have long before his men will grow restless. When Hidetora arrives at his castle, Jiro sees an opportunity. He tries to separate Hidetora from his men, claiming that Taro told him to do this, but Hidetora discovers the truth and leaves in disgust.
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