Ran

1985 • 162 minutes

About this movie

Akira Kurosawa's brilliantly conceived re-telling of Shakespeare's King Lear magically mixes Japanese history, Shakespeare's plot and Kurosawa's own feelings about loyalty in the epic masterpiece, RAN. Set in 16th century Japan, an aging ruler, Lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai), announces his intention to divide his land equally among his three sons. Hidetora's decision to step down unleashes a power struggle between the three heirs when he falls prey to the false flattery bestowed upon him by the two older sons and banishes the youngest for speaking the truth. That ruthless betrayal ultimately drives Hidetora insane, destroying his entire family and kingdom. Deep human emotion and outstanding acting combine to create one of the most acclaimed foreign films of all time.

Ratings and reviews

I have a gripe first, praise later. I don't understand why the only option for this movie is as a rental. I would love to purchase it, as it is one of my most favorite movies. That doesn't make any sense to me. With that out of the way, this movie is truly an amazing film. I can not properly describe how powerful the film is. It is simply incredible.

I'm unsure why Google Play only has two of Kurosawa's worst films on here. Yes, Ran has received much critical acclaim, but if even if you're a film lover, if you're honest with yourself, this movie has many great parts, but it is also a pretty pointless and drawn out film that goes on forever. Ran, Dreams, and Dodes'ka-den are, in my opinion, Kurosawa's worst films (with Dodes'ka-den easily taking the spot for the worst). Kurosawa is my favorite director and I've seen everything he's ever done. His works have changed my life, and the film industry as a whole. If Google Play wants great film, I'd recommend they add Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, The Bad Sleep Well, High and Low, Red Beard, and many of the countless other masterpieces Kurosawa crafted so meticulously.

King Lear, but with sons instead of daughters and set in feudal Japan. This movie took 12 years to make because the director is a notorious perfectionist, and it shows. Pay special attention to the pacing and the clever use of sound.