Ran Blu Ray – Akira Terao, Tatsuya Nakadai

Blood-spattered and brutal version of ‘King Lear’, with three sons instead of three daughters. Akira Kurosawa took the story and remade it into this highly regarded, blood splattered ‘Period of the Warring States’ epic. After years of ruthless slaughter Hidetero splits his kingdom amongst his sons seeking a peaceful retirement, but his life descends into chaos as he is unable to escape the corruption within his own family and the torment within his soul.

Akira Kurosawa’s brilliantly conceived retelling of Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ magically mixes Japanese history Shakespeare’s plot and Kurosawa’s own feelings about loyalty in this epic masterpiece. Set in 16th century Japan an aging ruler Lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai) announces his intention to divide his land equally among his three sons. This decision to step down unleashes a power struggle between the three when Hidetora falls prey to the false flattery bestowed upon him by the two older sons and banishes the youngest when he speaks the truth. The 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.