This is as perfect as they come and embodies the words "epic" and "tragedy." This film might have been far too intelligent and emotionally dark for the 80's when it was met with indifference by the mainstream. Kurosawa slipped in one more masterpiece before calling it quits on the epics. Every shot in this film is like a painting and the acting is flawless. This _is_ cinema.

Ranks with Harakiri as the best film from Japan. Whereas Kobayashi restricted his tragedy to a single family, Kurosawa provides no such barrier to the tide of misfortune and despair at the center of Ran. I don't think I've seen another film quite as nihilistic. In contrast to its ugly core is some truly stunning color photography. The castle battle is at once horrifying and breathtaking. It really does play like a "daytime nightmare". A powerful film with one of the greatest final shots ever.

Ran is a bleak story of a kingdom destroyed by greed, power struggles and the ultimate violent tendancies of man. It's viscious nature and cycle of destruction means no one escapes damnation, as whatever faith or peace that is left in the world disappears into utter despair. But Kurosawa isn't quite so pessimistic as his source material, he sketches even this world of misery in the beauty of his mastery of color and reminds us if man can see his mistakes, then why cannot something better exist?

To me, after my first viewing, this is a masterpiece. Kurosawa's adaptation of Japanese tales combined with King Lear makes for a powerful story of guilt, ambition, chaos and the loneliness of man in a godless world. The spectacular landscapes, battle sequences and dazzling use of colour make this an experience for the eyes, the heart and the mind.

The best take on King Lear i've seen. Visually stunning epic.

I wouldn't hold it against you to split this 2 hr. 40 min. viewing into two separate sittings; I had to, because it's just an onslaught of despair for Lord Hidetora (based on King Lear). The battle at the First Castle, midway through the film, is utterly brutal, and Hidetora walking away in shock as the lone survivor is an image that will stay with me forever. Despite the endless melancholic tone, it remains an absolutely beautiful film with its stunning landscapes, colors, and hordes of extras.

My favorite Kurosawa film so far. Although not an extreme fan of Japanese culture, this movie is impressive. Technically it is amazing, showing the great talent of the director.

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Obscenely dark and brilliant. The vivid colors of fluttering flags, fire and blood belie the desolate moral landscape in which Ran is set. Not only is Hidetora played to perfection as an internally exiled depravity but the way Lady Kaeda acts and moves is like fingernails on the brain. Everyone else more than carries their own, yet it's the sweeping visuals that you will remember for a long time to come. Shakespearean samurai epic is as incredible as it sounds.

Ran looks pretty and has amazing visual style and if someone told me they thought it was a masterpiece I wouldn't argue. Still, it strikes me as a bit long and suffers from not having any real likeable characters. Still, the movie has a certain epic quality that modern movies with their big special effects just can't seem to match. Watching the armies of extras move around the screen is most impressive.

a fantastic story, it has great characters, and some great cinematography. with this movie i can definitely see how kurosawa got his reputation. i could have done with some more realistic blood though.

Shakespeare meets Noh meets Kurosawa's patent fusion of East and West -- of theater and cinema -- amounting to this bloody epic of war, death, and betrayal. His final masterpiece. "Man is born crying. When he has cried enough, he dies."

Sangue do mesmo sangue é derramado em cascatas – em determinadas cenas, literalmente. À tragédia humana Kurosawa empresta proporções shakespearianas (trata-se de uma livre adaptação de Rei Lear), e ao escopo formal, uma qualidade épica pesarosa.

Another Kurosawa epic, brilliant and pretty much perfect. I've yet to see another work of Shakespeare brought to life in such a way.

Kurosawa's best.

Very very slow. Had to watch it in 3 takes. A lot of nothing. Wonder why everyone is raving about it. Probably because it's Kurosawa but far from his best. And there are better war movies. Glad I saw it but god that was long.

a bit to theatrical for my taste

Kurosawa's finest film. A masterpiece.

When the film starts, you see this beautiful green landscape and the main characters in colorful robe and clothings. It'll be colorful throughout the movie and at some scenes, it'll show the mood of it like the chaos and the battle. Aside from the color, I felt Ran dragged on too long at some scenes but the film as a whole is a wonderful adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear. Another Kurosawa film that I enjoyed a lot.