Maybe at the time when it came out it was really epic. But I don't see it now (2012).

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?

Stunning visuals and great drama of betrayal, honor, jealousy and madness. Impressive battle scenes, fine performances and music that fits the movie well. I would have rated it higher if only samurai movies were more my cup of tea.

A perfect film. In my top 5 easily.

zalim kral, tahti birakmak, kaleleri ogullari arasinda paylastirmak, büyük ogula tahti birakmak, ihanet, ic savas, bunamak, hirsli kadin, tüfek, kilic, mizrak, meydan savasi, Kral Lear uyarlamasi...

The characters feel a bit too simplistic at times, but that doesn't keep this from being one of the best films ever made.

The movie really captures the spirit of Shakespeare's "King Lear". Masterpiece!

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

Some of the most gorgeous imagery I've ever seen.

A very good movie. I'm not sure if my rating does it justice; my Japanese isn't very good so there were confusing parts.

Scary adaptation, tragedies are the best!

A Shakespearian saga that influenced basically all epics to come (thank god, or we would have never gotten the masterpiece "Troy") in its sweeping photography, gorgeous use of color, and all-encapsulating tragic scope. It may teeter into mild melodrama, but that operatic, slightly surrealistic tone is totally intentional, so I'll allow it.

It's King Lear done by Kurosawa. What else do you need?

Kurosawa delivers another masterpiece. It's visually stunning, with grand operatic drama, some wonderful battle sequences, and fine performances by Nakadai and the delightfully evil Harada. Perhaps a bit too melodramatic in places, but that fits the broad Shakespearean tragic mould and this is a quite worthy adaptation of Lear.

You know you're looking at an unforgettable film when it evokes that strange feeling in you that says: some of these scenes will be imprinted in my mind forever. Fantastic camera work with a story that easily rivals Hollywood war epics (portrayed here by many gifted actors, including Tatsuya Nakadai, who was amazing). Recommended !!!

Epic in every sense of the word.

Besides the obnoxious jester, this movie is pretty much perfect. Few movies make use of color better than this one does. Possibly Kurosawa's best film.