Throne Of Blood

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Watched this last night via the Criterion Blu-ray. Hadn't seen it in probably 15 years, maybe a bit longer - it holds up really well. No surprise there, right? One of Kurosawa's best, in my opinion. Mifune's perfect in the part, it's a good role for him, it lets him chew the scenery a bit without it ever feeling like it's 'too much.' Isuzu Yamada is every bit as good, however, and that's maybe something I appreciated about the movie more this time than the first time I saw it where I was probably just like 'yay Mifune!' and not paying close enough attention to the rest of the cast. She's flawless here, and that scene towards the end where she can't was off the blood still creeps me out.

And what an ending.

So yeah, Throne Of Blood kicks ass. I guess it doesn't hurt that Macbeth is my favorite work from Shakespeare but this really is a fantastic adaptation.

[Chacho Camacho Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chacho Camacho]

One of the best films adapted from Shakespeare

[mjeon Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mjeon]

Thanks. You have planned my weekend. What a great film.

[willpak Member Find all posts View Profile Close willpak]

This and Ran are my favourite Kurosawa's films, both very intense.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Press release for the BFI 4k reissue.

THRONE OF BLOOD
A film by Akira Kurosawa
4K restoration

Released on BFI UHD & Blu-ray on 19 May 2025

A new restoration of Akira Kurosawa's astonishing film, Throne of Blood, widely considered to be one of the greatest adaptations of Shakespeare's Macbeth, is released on 4K UHD and standard Blu-ray formats by the BFI on 19 May. Special features include a 2002 documentary about the making of the film that includes interviews with the director, cast and crew and an audio commentary by Japanese film expert Michael Jeck.
A truly remarkable work, Throne of Blood manages to combine beauty and terror to produce a mood of haunting power. Starring the irrepressible Toshiro Mifune as doomed warlord Washizu, and with a wonderfully creepy turn by Isuzu Yamada as the Lady Macbeth-inspired Asaji, the film displays all of Kurosawa's familiar mastery of atmosphere and action combined with the savagery of war.

Special features:
Restored 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Introduction by Sir Ian McKellen (2016, 2 mins)
Introduction to Throne of Blood by Mamoun Hassan (2012, 7 mins): the late writer, director and producer introduces a screening of Akira Kurosawa's film at BFI Southbank
Audio commentary by Japanese-film expert Michael Jeck
Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Throne of Blood (2002, 23 mins): this documentary about the making of Throne of Blood features interviews with Akira Kurosawa, production designer Yoshiro Muraki, Noh performer Mitsuhiro Honda (from the Konparu School) and actor Isuzu Yamada
Macbeth (1945, 16 mins): two scenes from Shakespeare's famous Scottish tragedy, with Wilfrid Lawson and Cathleen Nesbitt as a fine murderous duo
Original trailer

***FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet with writing on the film by Alex Barrett, an essay on Kurosawa's adaptations of Shakespeare by Ben Nicholson, Kurosawa on Throne of Blood (1964) and an original review

Product details
UHD: RRP: £27.99 / Cat. no. BFIU0015 / 12
Japan / 1957 / black and white / 110 minutes / Japanese language with optional English subtitles / original aspect ratio 1.37:1 // UHD66: 2160p, 23.98fps, DTS-HD MA 1.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)

Blu-ray: RRP: £19.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1541 / 12
Japan / 1957 / black and white / 110 minutes / Japanese language with optional English subtitles / original aspect ratio 1.37:1 // BD50: 1080p, 23.98fps, DTS-HD MA 1.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)

Where to buy

All BFI UHD and Blu-ray releases are available from usual home entertainment retailers and in person from the BFI Shop at BFI Southbank