I was just browsing around Amazon and saw that this version of Ran had finally been discontinued. I was thinking about writing something after seeing Lionsgate was publishing the Blu Ray after the problems last year. In all my DVD ownership I've owned every version of Ran from the non-anamorphic Fox Lorber, to the botched Masterworks, and Criterions usual superlative double disc edition. The Blu has a good list of features but nothing as packed as the Criterion DVD.
The film itself is one I'd consider my favorite film of all time. I saw it fifteen years ago aand could get behind the epic nature of the warfare and violence. Every time since then its one of those films that reveals a different thing that I'm amazed about. If you somehow have never heard of Ran, know the main thing is the movie is an adaptation of King Lear as a feudal samurai drama. Hidetora has decided to live out his life under the care of his sons, one of whom He makes warlord. Upon the news one son insults him telling him the honest truth and is banished for his efforts. To make it simple the wife of one son is part of a family who was conquered by Hidetora and sets out to turn the family against each other. Hidetora seeking to maintain some type honor retreats to a castle where the remaining sons attack his entourage and He goes insane being rescued in a field by a loyal vassal and the Japanese version of a jester in Kyoami and theres more.
Outside of the story everything in the movie is perfect to me from Kurosawas staging that reminded me at times of a more play-like presentation (especially in the famous castle burning scene where a mad Hidetora marches out on castle steps with two types of warriors parting, something in the scene reminded me old Met operas that were broadcast on Public television). Kurosawa also scored big in the casting with Mieko Harada being the main choice as Lady Kaede who uses her sexuality to gain the upperhand against men. My favorite character though is Kurogane played by Hisashi Igawa who starred in the remaining Kurosawa films. Here Kurogane is the type of character Toshiro Mifue would have played- not to take anything away from Igawa. The character is a loyal soldier, second in command who finds himself at odds with Lady Kaede. He supports Lord Jiro in his betrayl of Hidetora but as Jiro pulls away from his leadership He finds himself sabbotaging Kaede's efforts. Basically He's struggling to be honorable to his leader, and He does get the best scene in the movie. When you see it you'll know what I'm talking about.
Like I said the Criterion so far has been the best version of the film. The image was greatly improved over the Masterworks edition which also had a problem with the audio. But the features were stacked with an inciteful commentary from Stephen Prince, a video interview with Sidney Lumet and all of the trailers for the film on the first disc. The second has the bounty of the disc starting with A.K. a documentary on the making of the film (its on the Blu). Theres also the usual It is Wonderful to Create program that comes with almost all of the Kurosawa films, this one focusing on the making of the film, a piece Ran through artwork done by Kurosawa and a video interview with Tatsuya Nakadai. And as usual theres the Criterion inclusion of an extensive booklet.
Anyway this is the definitive version of a true film masterpiece. And I love the film so much its inclusion to Blu-Ray is enough to make me finally upgrade to the format (fourth time for the movie) even if Criterion made the more superior product.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Color has never been used more effectively in the cinema
Added 12/4/2009
"Ran" takes its time to engage the audience. Approach this as you would an afternoon in a Greek amphiteatre overlooking the Aegean. Thunderclouds threaten. You may get rained on. But by nightfall, you have lived through an unforgettable experience.
The experience includes a display of color that will haunt your mind forever. It also includes perhaps the most overwhelming film score since Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky."
As for Shakespeare, he's probably o.k. with this. Paul Scofield and Peter Brook this is not, but what it is belongs next to their "King Lear" in anybody's collection of great adaptations.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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A mixed bag from the master
Added 9/11/2009
The Bottom Line:
Ran's gorgeous photography and impressive first hour may be just enough to recommend it despite the fact that its King Lear-meets-Japanese-folk-legend plot doesn't really make a whole lot of sense, the closing battle scenes aren't staged very well (men on horses ride toward the enemy, men get shot, men fall off horses, horses are all fine) and the 160-minute running length often feels interminable; know what you're getting into before you watch this dubious classic.
3/4
2 out of 8 people found this helpful.
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Great documentary disk, great movie
Added 8/4/2009
The Criterion collection is terrific for Kurasawa fans. The interviews with him are illuminating and the watercolor narrative derived from his paintings is very interesting. If you don't yet have a copy of Ran, this collection is the one to get.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Great film now out of print
Added 4/2/2009
Great film. Unfortunately, Criterion just announced this title as 'out of print' due to rights issues. Grab one while you can!
3 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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I was just browsing around Amazon and saw that this version of Ran had finally been discontinued. I was thinking about writing something after seeing Lionsgate was publishing the Blu Ray after the problems last year. In all my DVD ownership I've owned every version of Ran from the non-anamorphic Fox Lorber, to the botched Masterworks, and Criterions usual superlative double disc edition. The Blu has a good list of features but nothing as packed as the Criterion DVD.
The film itself is one I'd consider my favorite film of all time. I saw it fifteen years ago aand could get behind the epic nature of the warfare and violence. Every time since then its one of those films that reveals a different thing that I'm amazed about. If you somehow have never heard of Ran, know the main thing is the movie is an adaptation of King Lear as a feudal samurai drama. Hidetora has decided to live out his life under the care of his sons, one of whom He makes warlord. Upon the news one son insults him telling him the honest truth and is banished for his efforts. To make it simple the wife of one son is part of a family who was conquered by Hidetora and sets out to turn the family against each other. Hidetora seeking to maintain some type honor retreats to a castle where the remaining sons attack his entourage and He goes insane being rescued in a field by a loyal vassal and the Japanese version of a jester in Kyoami and theres more.
Outside of the story everything in the movie is perfect to me from Kurosawas staging that reminded me at times of a more play-like presentation (especially in the famous castle burning scene where a mad Hidetora marches out on castle steps with two types of warriors parting, something in the scene reminded me old Met operas that were broadcast on Public television). Kurosawa also scored big in the casting with Mieko Harada being the main choice as Lady Kaede who uses her sexuality to gain the upperhand against men. My favorite character though is Kurogane played by Hisashi Igawa who starred in the remaining Kurosawa films. Here Kurogane is the type of character Toshiro Mifue would have played- not to take anything away from Igawa. The character is a loyal soldier, second in command who finds himself at odds with Lady Kaede. He supports Lord Jiro in his betrayl of Hidetora but as Jiro pulls away from his leadership He finds himself sabbotaging Kaede's efforts. Basically He's struggling to be honorable to his leader, and He does get the best scene in the movie. When you see it you'll know what I'm talking about.
Like I said the Criterion so far has been the best version of the film. The image was greatly improved over the Masterworks edition which also had a problem with the audio. But the features were stacked with an inciteful commentary from Stephen Prince, a video interview with Sidney Lumet and all of the trailers for the film on the first disc. The second has the bounty of the disc starting with A.K. a documentary on the making of the film (its on the Blu). Theres also the usual It is Wonderful to Create program that comes with almost all of the Kurosawa films, this one focusing on the making of the film, a piece Ran through artwork done by Kurosawa and a video interview with Tatsuya Nakadai. And as usual theres the Criterion inclusion of an extensive booklet.
Anyway this is the definitive version of a true film masterpiece. And I love the film so much its inclusion to Blu-Ray is enough to make me finally upgrade to the format (fourth time for the movie) even if Criterion made the more superior product.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Color has never been used more effectively in the cinema
Added 12/4/2009
"Ran" takes its time to engage the audience. Approach this as you would an afternoon in a Greek amphiteatre overlooking the Aegean. Thunderclouds threaten. You may get rained on. But by nightfall, you have lived through an unforgettable experience.
The experience includes a display of color that will haunt your mind forever. It also includes perhaps the most overwhelming film score since Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky."
As for Shakespeare, he's probably o.k. with this. Paul Scofield and Peter Brook this is not, but what it is belongs next to their "King Lear" in anybody's collection of great adaptations.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
A mixed bag from the master
Added 9/11/2009
The Bottom Line:
Ran's gorgeous photography and impressive first hour may be just enough to recommend it despite the fact that its King Lear-meets-Japanese-folk-legend plot doesn't really make a whole lot of sense, the closing battle scenes aren't staged very well (men on horses ride toward the enemy, men get shot, men fall off horses, horses are all fine) and the 160-minute running length often feels interminable; know what you're getting into before you watch this dubious classic.
3/4
2 out of 8 people found this helpful.
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