Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai – Yojimbo, Kagemusha) is an ageing warlord who, after spending his life consolidating his empire, decides to abdicate and divide his kingdom amongst his three sons, Taro (Akira Terao, Letter from the Mountain, Dreams), Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu, The Man in White, Red Shadow: Akakage) and Saburo (Daisuke Ryû, Tono monogatari, Gojo reisenki: Gojoe).
Ran (which translates as ‘turmoil’) is Akira Kurosawa’s profound exploration of Shakespeare’s King Lear intertwined with the historical backdrop of Japan’s 16th century Civil Wars and the legendary tale of Morikawa, a feudal warlord with three sons.
Kurosawa’s final film was immediately recognised as a masterpiece upon its release and garnered numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Costume Design and BAFTA awards for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Makeup.