Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Yazmin Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Dalbert Pringle If nothing else - I'd say that all of you fashion-trendy guys of today out there ought to feel right at home watching "Throne Of Blood" - 'Cause every male character in this film had his hair done up in one of those irksome, little ponytails, sitting on top of his head, as well.It really killed me that even when any of these male characters had been wearing a tight-fitting helmet on top of his head - Whenever that headgear was removed that goofy, little ponytail stood straight up again with no adjustments required.Anyway - I certainly found this 1957, Japanese version of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" to be quite boring. Indeed. And tedious. And any attempts made at creating an atmosphere of surrealism seemed downright silly for the most part.And - Last, but not least - What the hell was with character, Lady Washizu's eyebrows, anyway??

WILLIAM FLANIGAN Viewed on DVD. Restoration = ten (10) stars. Ultimately over time a film stands or falls on its own merits, and not by high jacking the acclaim of its source material(s). This movie is yet another case study of the dangers associated with parasitic piggy backing. The script is co-written by the director, and is confusing and lacks polish (script traits usually exhibited when the director is one of two authors or the sole author). Acting by the lead male actor is mostly confined to grimaces (he looks like he needs a root canal operation due to all the scenery he has chewed on). The lead female actress employs an acting style consisting of monotonic line readings and a mask-like, unchanging facial expression. The real co-stars are the costumes which are spectacular (too bad the film was not shot in color), and in-camera special effects (especially the arrow showers at the film's end). Sets are OK, but exterior long shots of "castles" show structures that are far removed from restored/rebuilt castles of the period on view in Japan today. (Perhaps impoverished exterior sets are a result of budgetary constraints?) Subtitles are a bit long and often abrupt. Film score is fine. A highly not recommended film experience. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

Deigues "Throne of Blood" is an adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth", by the Japanese master Akira Kurosawa. It stars Toshiro Mifune as Washizu: a brave and honorable general whom, upon hearing a prophecy on how he will become Lord of Forest Castle, goes down a spiral of wrath and corruption.As usual Kurosawa's staging is masterful. His camera glides and smoothly pans across the scenes, showing us the main drama, but also revealing other actions occurring in the background - this gives the viewer a much more heightened sense of immersion into the world. The film's pace is infamously slow, but this was a personal choice by Kurosawa, who was greatly influenced by the Japanese style of theatre, "Noh". By adopting this very formal and specific influence, Kurosawa creates an interesting fusion between stage and film.The only detail that bothered me in "Throne of Blood" was the way Kurosawa lessened Washizu's (Macbeth's) thirst for power. While he is still seen as a tyrant, I couldn't help but empathize with him more than with the original Macbeth. Washizu is more reluctant to believe the prophecy and it is only after his wife convinces him that it is either "kill or be killed" that he actually commits the first murder. The first Lord he murders is also seen as a less noble one than King Duncan, as he actually also came into power after murdering the previous lord. Details such as these ended up toning down on Washizu's craving for power, which in turn made the film lose some of its as well.Nevertheless, "Throne of Blood" is still a great adaptation of Macbeth; encapsulated in a gorgeously shot, black and white feudal Japan, which paints a terrifying portrait of Man's relentless ambition and lust for power.

daitran199980 Throne of Blood is one of my favorite Kurosawa movies, it described the ambition, which you can kill your family and your friends because of your profit.The point that I don't like about Throne of Blood is Toshiro Mifune's acting. If the first Akira Kurosawa you saw is Seven Samurai, you can understand what I mean. Because Mifune's acting in this movie isn't different from Seven Samurai, so I felt normal. Why Kurosawa always used the old cast and old acting? That is the reason that Seven Samurai is the only film I gave full stars.I think Ran (1985), which is another Kurosawa movie, is better than this film and you could call it the "remake" of this film after you saw it.