DVD Reviews

Ran - Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Feb 18, 2010, 14:03 GMT

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 the epic masterpiece, RAN. Set in 16th century Japan, RAN relates the tale of how an aging ruler, Lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai), announces his intention to divide his land equally among his three sons. Hidetora’s decision to step down unleashes a power struggle among the three heirs when ...more

Akira Kurosawa’s final epic finally comes to Blu-ray.  Kurosawa had been borrowed from by Hollywood and the master looks towards Shakespeare again for his inspirations.  It’s the best it has ever looked on home video but I also suspect that a high dollar restoration would only make it look even better.  

Aging warlord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to divide up his kingdom amongst his three sons.  The elder Taro (Akira Terao) inherits the prestigious first castle and will become leader of the clan.  Next in line Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu) inherits the second castle and control over the army. 

Finally, Saburo (Daisuke Ryu) inherits the less-prestigious third castle.  The two younger brothers are instructed to follow their elder brother and Saburo’s insolence at his father’s decision ends up with him being banished.  With only two brothers remaining a power struggle begins that will lay waste to the kingdom that Hidetora built.  

Akira Kurosawa is a giant of cinema.  In my thinking about his cinematic legacy I had to have my favorites of his films jockey for the top spot.  I think Seven Samurai won, but Throne of Blood keeps nudging it a bit.  Throne of Blood was his take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Ran has hints of King Lear. 

Hidetora is an obvious stand-in for the bard’s doomed king.  Ran is widely considered Kurosawa’s final epic.  He would make three more films before his death, Dreams (1990), Rhapsody in August (1991), and Madadayo (1993), but none of them would have that epic feel that harkened back to those Seven Samurai, even though those final three are still heartily recommended. 

Epic is written all over Ran with its massive sets, costuming, and drama.  StudioCanal has taken all the titles they have the rights to in house, Ran was previously released through Criterion, and started their own line of collector’s editions released through Lionsgate (The Ladykillers and Contempt also make their way onto Blu-ray as well). 

My first exposure to Ran was on a letterboxed anniversary VHS tape so I’m used to it looking pretty poorly.  The Criterion DVD was a definite improvement on that, but debate has been hot that Ran doesn’t look as good as it could.  The Blu-ray is a slight improvement to the Criterion DVD and offers some improvement in clarity in some scenes and better colors. 

Other times the contrast looks off.  I can imagine that a high dollar restoration could improve the niggles with the picture, but maybe expectations always run high with a director of Kurosawa’s caliber.  I cannot say that my problems with the picture negate any buying recommendation because (dammit) it’s from a master of the craft, Akira Kurosawa!  

Ran is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (1.85:1).  Special features are presented in standard definition.  The 71 minute “AK” takes a look behind-the-scenes on Ran, the 41 minute “The Epic and the Intimate” details the collaboration that led to the production of the film, The 52 minute “The Samurai” looks at the warrior, and the 41 minute “Art of the Samurai” has a historian examining them with clips from the film.  There’s also a nice booklet in the case.  

Ran on Blu-ray offers some improvement over its previous incarnations on home video format, however, we collectors and cineastes are a fickle bunch.  I’m generally pleased, but maybe by 2015, the film’s 30th anniversary, some cash could be used to spruce it up (technology would no doubt be much more advanced, unless we all die in 2012). 

I’m just happy to see it on Blu-ray and the nice selection of special features (most coming from the Criterion DVD) help to sweeten the deal if you can’t wait for a restoration.  

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