Ran is the last major film Kurosawa directed in his long illustrous career which saw making of such epic as 'Seven Samurai', 'Roshomon', and 'Kagemusha' . It is a classic tale of loyalty and betrayal with a tragic results. It is a retelling of Shakespeares' King Lear. The story::Lord Hidetori is in his advanced age and after a fitfull dreams decide to divide his kingdom to his three sons with all the authority passing to the eldest son. But the young son Soburu remarks about their obedience since he himsef have shaped the kingdom from war and bloodshed. Hidetori than sees him as disloyal and banishes him. Hidetori stays in the first castle with his eldest son with a retinue of his own body guards. Lady Kanede, wife of first son, who seeks revenge because her own family were killed by Hidetori and instigate her husband to take all the powers and authority from his father. Hidetori is forced to sign the pledge in blood and feels humiliated so he leaves for the second castle to his second son but when he gets there he realizes his second son is no better. He then goes to the third castle of the younger son who was banished, the guards and army hand over the castle to Hidetori and march out to join their young master in exile. Soon the combined army of his first and second son marches into the third castle and kills all his army and concubines. His two son expects him to do sepukku (honorable suicide::i guess that is the right translation::) but his sword is broken so he storms out of the castle dazed and crazy. During this takeover, second son's general fatally shoots the first son. The second son then takes over all the authority. Hidetori wanders in madness looked after by a fool Kaoimi and another loyal servant. When he is asked to go to his third son, he can't face him. He is too much ashamed to face him. So the servant goes to fetch him. His third son comes looking for his father and the two of them reconciles. In the final scenes, the third son takes his father with him but while riding back home, he is shot down by gunners sent by his second son. Hidetori is heart broken and dies instantly.
Lord Hidetori and the third son who finds him wandering in madness.
Lord Hidetori and the third son who finds him wandering in madness.
A helmet for a Lord
The father giving away his Kingdom to his three sons.
:::I think Ran is excellently well made and if Kurosawa were to direct today, his battle scene would be grandest in scale. All his trademark movie making style is employed. The frame does not follow the action, instead in a still frame the action enters the frame. The weather and sky is also shown to match the mood. The music has this eerie and haunting feeling. The use of color is masterful, and the shots are just wonderful. The pace is deliberately slow. This movie might not be liked by everyone. Only those who have a patience to savor all the details might enjoy the film. The action scene is also not as plenty as Seven Samurai but again if you like King Lear or and Shakespeare's work this movie might be just for you. It shows a tragic results due to hunger for power and corruption. All the main character dies in the end. What this movie provides instead is a tragic story about betrayal and forgiveness::
Kyoami: A serpent's egg is white and pure. A bird's is speckled and soiled.
Hidetora: This is a castle... Here's a wall.
Kyoami: The bird left the speckled egg for the white.
Hidetora: Strange...
Kyoami: The egg cracks; out comes a snake.
Hidetora: Empty space above the wall. Why?
Kyoami: The bird is gobbled by the snake.
Hidetora: Where am I? Who am I?
Kyoami: Stupid bird!
