by Victoria Jeffrey

Created on: August 30, 2008

I remember over 20 years ago as a child seeing a poignant scene from this film, one that I never forgot. A castle was being attacked and enemy forces had breached it. In the scene a lord's concubines were being massacred right in front of him. At the time I had no idea what the name of the film was but I do remember watching this scene in particular during the '86 Oscars. There was no sound, only music. It was something that never left me, much like the images from Ralph Bakshi's creepy Wizards. That's how powerful it was. Just one year ago I found out that it was from the film Ran by acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.

Loosely based on the great Shakesperean play King Lear, Kurosawa created a masterpiece of cinema that even today most so called Oscar winners could never rival. When I look at grand battle scenes of cavalry and infantrymen (like in The Lord of the Rings films) I am reminded of Ran and Throne of Blood. Ran is the story about a wealthy, ruthless and powerful warlord Hidetora Ichimonji who has grown old and has decided to hand over power to his three sons. Little does he realize the terrible mistake he makes by doing so. His two eldest, Taro and Jiro are greedy and merciless just like him, but lack his leadership ability. Saburo, his youngest sees the folly his father is making and being blunt and plain-spoken, tells him so. Pride does not allow Hidetora to listen to Saburo and in a rage he disinherits him. He doesn't realize that Saburo is the only child that truly loves and respects him. Just when Hidetora thinks he is about to retire in peace and serenity, his sons - and Lady Kaede, the manipulative wife of Taro begin maneuvering, plotting and tearing the family kingdom part like sharks at a feeding frenzy.

Behind the downfall of the Ichimonji clan is Lady Kaede, wife of the eldest son Taro. This character is seething with quiet rage and hatred for the family she married into and is a frightening and powerful presence on screen. Lady Macbeth she is not, for she feels no shame for the wicked things she does. Kaede is vicious. It is no wonder that like in Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear, every major character dies in this film. It is tragic and wrenching on every level.

What fascinates me is the bold color used in such a dark film. Normally most directors would take the easy way out and let dark forboding colors help tell the story. But Kurosawa didn't do that. He instead used very bright, bold colors; an interesting choice. This may be a cultural assumption

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