Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Ran', released in 1985, is widely regarded as the legendary director’s masterpiece. It often appears in those ‘films you must see before you die' lists. Although non-Japanese speakers will need subtitles, the film plays well for British audiences. It's a retelling of Shakespeare's ‘King Lear', a story that is part of the national psyche. Studiocanal celebrates the 40th anniversary of Kurosawa's classic with limited theatrical release and a new 4-disc 4K Collector's Edition on UHD and BD, including a 100-page booklet for home movie lovers.
Visually magnificent and thematically strong, the film is an impressive retelling of Lear's tragedy, transposing it into 16th-century Japan. We follow Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (the excellent Tatsuya Nakadai), an aging warlord who decides to divide his kingdom among his three sons. One refuses and is outcast. The other two make promises of loyalty they have no intention of keeping. Predictably, chaos and war ensue. The human foibles of ambition and generational conflict takes root. Betrayal and madness tear the royal family and its kingdom apart.
With its sumptuous landscapes, brilliant use of colour and monumental battle scenes, ‘Ran' often feels like a moving painting. What's particularly noteworthy is the stillness and silence of some of the most effective sequences. An almost wordless siege bathes the screen in blood-red banners. It is augmented by Toru Takemitsu’s haunting score, which is available on one of the discs. The scale of the production is also impressive. Thousands of extras, handcrafted costumes, bald-caps and real castle locations contribute to the film’s epic quality. Like all great directors, Kurosawa tells his story through pictures, not words.
However, while the film delivers on spectacle and artistic ambition, it’s also weighed down by a sluggish pace that makes its 160-minute runtime feel considerably longer. I found it difficult to get into the film. The opening half hour is shot almost entirely against a backdrop of long grasses and mountains. The shenanigans of Shinnosuke Ikehata (Peter) as the Fool feel oddly forced in these ponderous sequences. It's only once the family starts to tear one another apart that the film picks up.
‘Ran' is certainly memorable for its meticulously choreographed battle sequences that rival anything produced before or since. The use of vibrant colours is striking; one is designated to each of Hidetora’s sons to create a symbolic and visual clarity.
Undoubtedly, ‘Ran' is a treat for enthusiasts of world cinema. It is not the easiest watch for those of us who are more attuned to a faster pace of storytelling. Languid scenes dwelling on heavy themes about the human condition would play better on the stage. On screen, they can feel indulgent and overly-drawn out.
In the final analysis, ‘Ran' is an undeniably powerful and ambitious film with moments that linger in the memory. But its grandeur may feel more exhausting than enthralling, depending upon taste.
There are many extra features on this release for film enthusiasts to enjoy. The ‘AK documentary' is the main draw. It delves at length into the French-Japanese co-production. There is also a portrait of Kurosawa's life, career and legacy as well as an interview with directory of photography Shoji Ueda, whose work undoubtedly contributes greatly to the aesthetic appeal of the film.
Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Mieko Harada, Yoshiko Miyazaki Director: Akira Kurosawa Writer: Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Masato Ide Certificate: 12A Duration: 160 mins Released by: Studiocanal Release date: 21st July 2025 Buy ‘Ran'
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