Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
3/4
Throne of Blood - Review
Matthew Brady - wrote on 11/11/2021
“Admirable, my Lord. You, who would soon rule the world, allow a ghost to frighten you.”
The story is about a war-hardened general, egged on by his ambitious wife, works to fulfill a prophecy that he would become lord of Spider's Web Castle.
‘Throne of Blood’ is a gloomy, atmospheric retelling of Shakespeare's classic story of Macbeth. It took me awhile to realize that it’s a loose retelling of Macbeth until halfway through, so most of the time I was noticing certain plot points. Even then, it’s a intriguing interpretation with many elements of general horror, foreboding and dread. That’s director Akira Kurosawa for you.
Toshirô Mifune delivers an energetic and fiery performance. Isuzu Yamada (who basically plays Lady Macbeth) is both eerie and almost …
Rating of
2.5/4
Throne of Blood review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 05/31/2013
The story is about Generals Miki and Washizu are Samurai commanders under a local lord, Lord Tsuzuki. The pair of Generals encounter a spirit who tells them about the future. Screenplay was effective with lines: "Nowadays fathers and son's fight." - Asaji. "Don't take action without making it clear." - Washizu "No need to bleed and kill." - Miki. The performances were believable and direction splendid as always coming from the director. Score and cinematography was spectacular. The entertainment factor however was not that good if compared to his other films. A film on loyalty, treachery, prophecies, sprituality and miscarriage. Throne of Blood is still worth watching because of it's method of conveying a Macbeth translation to film.
Rating of
3.5/4
"Throne Of Blood" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 04/23/2012
Akira Kurosawa's eye for wonderful visuals comes to the fore once again in this stunning adaptation of Macbeth, which lends itself to a relocation to feudal Japan perfectly. I particularly liked the way he merged some wonderfully atmospheric camera techniques with the highly theatrical feel that was clearly heavily influenced by traditional Japanese Noh drama. Toshiro Mifune gives an incredibly intense performance as the general destroyed by his ambition, the subdued scenes between he and his manipulative wife are particularly memorable. And what an ending. Despite the fact that Kurosawa did not use a single word of dialogue from the Shakespearian play it was based upon, it is still easily the best adaptation of The Bard I have ever seen. Yet another classic.
