I would be lying if I said I was well versed in Shakespeare, so this won’t go into how accurate an adaptation of Macbeth this film is. But I am not sure how accurate Throne of Blood (1957) needs to be when it is as good as it is. I feel like the word masterpiece gets thrown around a lot these days, but it is most definitely apt when it comes to this Akira Kurosawa epic and is the director at his best (at least in my eyes). The scale of the film is astounding, and the cinematography captures the hugeness of it all brilliantly throughout, while also treating us to several shots that are so wonderful that I would happily hang them on my wall as a piece of art. Add to this the incredible set design, costuming, and general mise en scene which help create an incredible atmosphere and world that feels completely believable, and you have a film that hooks you on both its look and feel. It is a look that very much echoes the look and feel of the ghost films coming out of Japan at the time, which gives the film an eerie and unsettling vibe throughout. As with many Kurosawa films, it is elevated even higher due to the performance of frequent collaborator, Toshiro Mifune. He is wonderful throughout. His character is hugely complex and his ability to capture each emotion (both subtle and overt) is astounding. He runs the gamut of regal and loyal, to conflicted and anxious, to completely unhinged, perfectly and he is completely engaged and engaging throughout. If you are either looking for a great version of Macbeth, or an epic and grandiose samurai film then look no further. If for some reason you are looking for both, this will be your new favourite film.
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