Therefore, a majority of men in the film are equipped with a sword and armor. One of the most celebrated screen adaptations of shakespeare into film, akira kurosawas throne of blood reimagines macbeth in feudal japan. Throne of blood 1957, newly released by criterion on bluraydvd, is kurosawas earlier adaptation of shakespeares ghoulish power play macbeth, and even at this relatively early stage in. Japan films throne of blood miikes ichi the killer required 11 cuts before being passed in britain from kill bill to tom cruise in the last samurai, the japanese influence is becoming more and more visible in the film world today. It was only the third film from kurosawa id seen and i actually wrote a piece which was really nothing more than an. Its an enthralling film, though it probably does help to already be familiar with the plot of macbeth before watching the film.
Throne of blood is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1. Jan 08, 2014 the most noticeable divergence in kurosawas interpretation is the introduction of elements common to noh theatre, which dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries in which throne of blood is set. Director akira kurosawas resetting of william shakespeares macbeth in feudal japan is one of his most acclaimed films. The scottish play becomes a japanese film as shakespeares drama of murderous ambition, macbeth, is adapted by master director akira kurosawa. Akira kurosawas throne of blood criterion, 1957 debuts on dvd with relatively few supplements.
Toshiro mifune does a magnificent performance in this movie. Deviating from the source material can be a solid creative decision that adds to the overall narrative. Japan film s throne of blood miikes ichi the killer required 11 cuts before being passed in britain from kill bill to tom cruise in the last samurai, the japanese influence is becoming more and more visible in the film world today. Apr, 2020 the 1957 japanese film, throne of blood, is a version of macbeth, with the action moved from scotland to japan and the three witches replaced by one spirit. Yuwen hsiung is one of many who have written about the ways kurosawa. The throne of blood akira kurosawa movies samurai warrior. As a hardened warrior who rises savagely to power, toshiro mifune gives a remarkable, animalistic performance, as does isuzu yamada as his ruthless wife. This take on shakespeares macbeth has been infused with noh theater, a famous japanese art form, and set during the time of. In japan, the filmmaker was accused at the time of being stuck in the past. Throne of blood academic dictionaries and encyclopedias.
But my choice remains 1957s throne of blood, an adaptation of shakespeares macbeth that turned the scottish play into a ravishingly visual exploration of the warrior traditions of japanese myth. The story of a man who lets his ambitions get the best of him. Toshiro mifune gives a commanding performance as the samurai urged to slaughter his way to the throne by his ruthless wife. This moody and violent drama is the japanese version of shakespeares. Akira kurosawa throne of blood is director akira kurosawas adaptation of shakespeares macbeth. Akira kurosawas 1957 film throne of blood alternately titled spiders web castle, for example, beautifully marries shakespeares narrative with japanese culture and folklore to spectacular results. Japanese film translator linda hoaglund, for instance. A warhardened general, egged on by his ambitious wife, works to fulfill a prophecy that he would become lord of spiders web castle. I first watched akira kurosawas throne of blood 1957 six years ago. He worked on ikiru, seven samurai, throne of blood, and other films for kurosawa, concluding with the 1970 drama dodeskaden. One perfect shot on throne of blood, samurai, akira. Oct 15, 2015 throne of blood showed that kurosawa was just as driven and inspired by western culture as western culture would soon be driven by him. The art of japanese noh theatre in akira kurosawasthrone of blood minae yamamoto savas bridgewater state university, minae. Throne of blood the criterion collection dvdvhs, 109 minutes, 1957 many western educators would have a more difficult time deciphering much of twentiethcentury japanese film without the aid of author and critic donald richie.
Akira kurosawa, the most popular asian film maker with audiences in the united states, has found in william shakespeares plays themes and plots that resonate within japanese culture. Information on how kurosawa conceives his battle scenes. The criterion collection dvd of kurosawas throne of blood contains two english subtitle tracks the first by japanese film translator linda hoaglund, the second by kurosawa film scholar donald richie. Akira kurosawa, who died last year, looks likely to remain by far the bestknown japanese director, while others as great or even greater, such. The most noticeable divergence in kurosawas interpretation is the introduction of elements common to noh theatre, which dates back to the. As stated earlier, throne of blood is set during japanese civil wars. A vivid, visceral macbeth adaptation, throne of blood, directed by akira kurosawa, sets. We use cookies to make interactions with our website easy and meaningful, to better understand the use of our services, and to tailor advertising. This is an admittedly obscureish question, but if anyone has an opinion id like to hear it. Throne of blood is yet another great japanese samurai movie by legendary director akira kurosawa featuring another great performance by the great toshiro mifune. As part of a showcase trio of film interpretations of macbeth to mark. Comparison of throne of blood to macbeth the artefact i have chosen to examine is the japanese film throne of blood by akira kurosawa 1957. It only managed a shared fourth place in kinema junpos annual list of best japanese films. Mar 26, 2014 throne of blood 1957, newly released by criterion on bluraydvd, is kurosawas earlier adaptation of shakespeares ghoulish power play macbeth, and even at this relatively early stage in.
Diving into the themes, characters, and techniques used to. The film transposes the plot of william shakespeares play macbeth to feudal japan. For students of japanese history, throne of blood is great film to check out to understand the spirit of the sengoku period age of warring states. Throne of blood throne of blood known as kumonosujo in japanese is a 1957 film, based on a rendition of shakespeares macbeth play. Apr 12, 2015 kurosawas overall idea of the character is reflected in the title of his film, which in japanese means not throne of blood but spiderweb castle.
The japanese title of this film translates as cobweb castle or spider city and this really should have been the title in english. There is a certain hollowness to aspects of the soundtrack, but portions are probably intentional given the sound of the noh flute itself. The art of japanese noh theatre in akira kurosawaa s throne. Throne of blood, however, was made at the height of both his japanese and western popularityand yet was not a hit in either place, although it has since been labelled a classic in most western overviews of great filmmaking. Though the story and characters are fictional, the motives are real and very similar events depicted in the film occurred often throughout that period. In japanese w english subtitles akira kurosawas rendition of william shakespeares macbeth done samurai style.
Mar 16, 2016 as part of a showcase trio of film interpretations of macbeth to mark the 400th anniversary of shakespeares death. The general reception to it was mixed, or at least a little quiet for a kurosawa film at the time. As a hardened warrior who rises savagely to power, tos. This influence can be seen in many aspects of the film, from the staging, to the characterizations, to the editing and direction. The 1957 japanese film, throne of blood, is a version of macbeth, with the action moved from scotland to japan and the three witches replaced by one spirit. Jan 06, 2014 i first watched akira kurosawas throne of blood 1957 six years ago. The film stars toshiro mifune and isuzu yamada in the lead roles, modelled on the characters. The film examines the struggles of a terminally ill tokyo bureaucrat and his final quest for meaning. Throne of blood signed cuban screenprint art poster. The film is loosely based on shakespears macbeth but dont let that put you off, there is still plenty of samurai action and the plot interweaves excellently with the scheming. Aug 06, 2017 hd trailer for the 1957 akira kurosawa film.
Already considered somewhat foreign in his style, kurosawa explored his interest in western literature with his fyodor dostoevsky adaptation the idiot. Examines throne of blood, a japanese film adaptation of the novel macbeth, by william shakespeare, directed by akira kurosawa. Kurosawas overall idea of the character is reflected in the title of his film, which in japanese means not throne of blood but spiderweb castle. Director akira kurosawa keeps the action moving at a quick. The film stars toshiro mifune and isuzu yamada in the lead roles.
See more ideas about throne of blood, blood and akira. The film transposes the plot of william shakespeares play. A vivid, visceral macbeth adaptation, throne of blood, directed by akira kurosawa, sets shakespeares definitive tale of ambition and duplicity in a ghostly, fogenshrouded landscape in feudal japan. Throne of blood is a masterpiece by one of the worlds greatest film makers at the.
Kurosawa was an admirer of noh drama, and acknowledged the stylistic influence it had on throne of blood. The film stars toshiro mifune and isuzu yamada in the lead roles, modelled on the characters macbeth and lady macbeth. I love the cinematography, and the excellent acting by toshiro mifune also one of the star actors of. Only kurosawa could take the essence of shakespearian stage drama and incorporate it into. With toshiro mifune, minoru chiaki, isuzu yamada, takashi shimura. Starring kurosawas longtime collaborator toshiro mifune and the legendary isuzu yamada as his ruthless wife, the film tells of a valiant warriors savage rise to power and his ignominious fall. As part of a showcase trio of film interpretations of macbeth to mark the 400th anniversary of shakespeares death. Throne of blood showed that kurosawa was just as driven and inspired by western culture as western culture would soon be driven by him. A vivid, visceral macbeth adaptation, throne of blood, directed by akira kurosawa, sets shakespeares definitive tale of ambition and duplicity in a. What i want to find out about the artefact is how it compares with its source material, william shakespeares play macbeth. However, it is the presence of supernatural elements within this brutality and superstition that are so intriguing. Throne of blood is a 1957 japanese film directed by akira kurosawa.
A vivid, visceral macbeth adaptation, throne of blood, directed by akira kurosawa. What makes akira kurosawas throne of blood 1957 so appealing is that it is both an adaptation and a period piece. Akira kurosawa japan gif by turner classic movies find. Bbc news entertainment japan films throne of blood.
Fuji and filled with moody, atmospheric cinematography, throne of blood remains a landmark of visual strength, permeated by a particularly japanese sensibility, and is possibly the finest shakespearean adaptation ever committed to the screen. Hard to follow at times, but the message was inspiring. After the film won the golden lion at the 1951 venice film festival hashimoto quit his job as a company employee and devoted himself fulltime to writing. To criterions credit, they have done a good job cleaning up the source, as its devoid of pops or crackles. Throne of blood is a masterpiece by one of the worlds greatest film makers at the height of his powers.
When akira kurosawas throne of blood was ahead of its time. In japan, throne of blood was neither a boxoffice hit nor a critical darling. Author of more than forty books, including dozens on film, richies rewarding relationship with japan has lasted nearly sixty years. Nov 30, 2014 brutality and murder are also ever present in the film. He makes the bards tale japans own, replacing scottish warlords with armies of japanese samurai.
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