Ran [DVD] [1985] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]: Amazon.co.uk: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Mieko Harada, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Hisashi Igawa, Peter, Masayuki Yui, Kazuo Kato, Norio Matsui, Toshiya Ito, Akira Kurosawa, Hisao Kurosawa, Katsumi Furukawa, Masato Hara, Hideo Oguni: DVD

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I see why my friends love this so much, 16 Aug 2007

By	Jenny J.J.I. "A New Yorker" (That Lives in Northern Nevada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Ran [DVD] [1985] (DVD)

"Ran" is the first film I've watched by Akira Kurosawa. Now I'm a huge fan of his work thanks to my Amazonian friends who had already seen it. When a legend like Kurosawa, does a King Lear adaptation at the tender age of 75, one would expect a small-scale film concentrating on the human elements of the story. That he produced an epic of such proportions makes a further evaluation of the great man's contribution to cinema necessary.

"Ran" is set in medieval Japan and follows the basic King Lear narrative closely. Lord Hidetora is an aging warlord and, wanting a peaceful retirement, decides to divide his kingdom up amongst his three sons. After banishing the youngest, Saburo, for pouring scorn on the idea, Hidetora finds himself an unwanted obstacle to the older two. After repeated humiliations, pride forces Hidetora into vain wanderings on the open plain, his state of mind declining as rapidly as his entourage.

The film sets itself the unenviable task of trying to explain the precarious position man holds within the universe. Man is seen to be elevating himself to such a level that he dreams of challenging the very laws of nature. Hidetora has achieved his status through deception, callousness and violence; his notion to wash away the blood he has spilt in happy retirement is scornfully thrown back by the elements. The speed and manner in which he is forced to lie in the bed he has made for himself should serve as a warning to all.

The films large set pieces, particularly two quite stunning battle sequences, are staged magnificently, but 'Ran' is no empty epic. The characters and their motivations are fully explored and the tension built up by the dialogue fully compliments the action. With an ending which offers no redemption 'Ran' paints a bleak picture - the colors and brushstrokes it employs however, turn it into a dazzling masterpiece. The battle scenes are some of the best I have seen. One point - the second main battle reminds me of 'Zulu' with the soldiers lined up on the skyline shouting down. The makeup used on Hidetora to mimick the Noh theatre makes this film that much more dramatic.

Don't expect to be uplifted with a standard samurai flick. This is one of the most historic beautiful films I've ever seen. Before you watch this try placing this on big screen with good color registration and good sound because Kurosawa uses as much of the screen as he can.

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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars King Lear in Feudal Japan. Inspiring., 2 April 2007

By	Mr. Thomas Nixon "tom_nixonuk" (York, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ran [DVD] [1985] (DVD)

One of Kurosawa's best films. Absolutely brilliant, it left me visibly moved. If you do not know the plot to King Lear, I suggest you don't read up on it before you watch Ran, that way the plot will surprise you and have more of an emotional impact. If you do know the plot, the film is very much based on this except set in Feudal Japan with three lords instead of three ladies!

While watching this film, I could see where Shogun Total War got its inspiration. An epic in all senses. I particuarly enjoyed Mieko Harada's performance as Lady Kaede.

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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignore Region info - this isn't coded and plays on Region 2, 3 Nov 2004

By	"ady_lister" - See all my reviews

The recent UK 2 disc edition (which isn't listed here yet despite the fact I've seen it in the shops) is an insult to our inteligence by being the dubbed version.

This US version in Japanesse with subs is a far superior edition and I'd urge all fans of the film in the UK to go for this instead.

Theres no region listed on the box and I've tried it in 3 players and it worked in all of them. I'm therefore pretty certain that this is an ALL REGION disc.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece
From Lucca, Italy: one of the best directors in world history of cinema at his best.
Great historical accuracy, great drama, great costumes & scenery. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Renato Genovese

2.0 out of 5 stars Furious overacting and lousy makeup
The star of the film is the evil daughter-in-law - a truly believable and mesmerising performance that deserved a much better film. Read more

Published 9 months ago by D. H. Rowlands

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent DVD for a low price
I just want to praise the outstanding quality of this Optimum Releasing DVD. There is a comparison on dvdbeaver - this version has better sound and comparable picture quality (or... Read more

Published 14 months ago by zombi1

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great films of all time.
Akira Kurosawa was a sprightly 75 years old when he made 'Ran'. After years of struggling to fund projects, and out of favour in his own country (hang your heads in shame), he... Read more

Published 17 months ago by Mark Hilton

5.0 out of 5 stars the best of the best
There are few films that deserve the label "visual poetry" (only Don't Look Now, Walkabout and perhaps Bladerunner spring instantly to my mind), a film where the visual imagery is... Read more

Published 19 months ago by Mr. Rwj Nixon

5.0 out of 5 stars One of cinema's all time greatest films
Akira Kurasawa is a monolithic figure in world cinema and this film is in my view his very best work. Read more

Published on 2 Jun 2007 by J. D. Boutle

1.0 out of 5 stars Dubbed tom foolery!
Dubbed dialogue!
what a mistake . . . . renders this film to turgid over long prattle and one star rating.

Published on 9 Mar 2007 by Ian Stewart

1.0 out of 5 stars oh dear....
Oh, dear...this movie is excrutiatingly bad. The acting is so hammy it makes a croque monsieur seem vegetarian. Read more

Published on 8 Mar 2007 by Aaron Hyam

4.0 out of 5 stars King Lear in Japan!!
King Lear retold in Japan. A Great Warlord has built up an Empire after 50 years of warfare, built up alliances and has 3 grown sons. Read more

Published on 14 Jan 2007 by SJ SMART

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Dissolution, Lust for Power, Madness
The story line is superb ... the scenery is stunning and gorgeous, vast mountains and green valleys, walled castles and fortresses. Read more

Published on 12 May 2006 by Erika Borsos

› See all 15 customer reviews...

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	75% buy the item featured on this page: Ran [DVD] [1985] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] 4.2 out of 5 stars (15)
	10% buy Rashomon [1950] [Special Edition] [DVD] 5.0 out of 5 stars (6) �4.98
	9% buy Seven Samurai [1954] [DVD] 4.8 out of 5 stars (55) �12.48
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Ran [DVD] [1985] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

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