by The Ghosty Gal

Created on: July 23, 2006   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

Ran is a true masterpiece of Japanese cinema. Directed by Akira Kurosawa is has some of the most breathtaking scenery I have ever seen in Japanese films. The story is actually the telling of Shakespeare's King Lear, with a bit of Japanese history thrown in.

An aging ruler, Lord Hidetora, decides to retire and announces his plan to divide his land equally between his three sons. He banishes his younger son for telling him the truth about his two older brothers, whom are battling between themselves for total control. The decision to divide his land and the betrayal of his son's drives Lord Hidetora insane and not only destroys his kingdom and all that he has built, but destroys his family as well.

This is an excellent foreign film and for total enjoyment should be viewed on a big screen television or in the theater. It is also in Japanese with English subtitles.

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