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Ran

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96% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
At the age of seventy, after years of consolidating his empire, the Great Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to abdicate and divide his domain amongst his three sons. Taro (Akira Terao), the eldest, will rule. Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu), his second son, and Saburo (Daisuke Ryu) will take command of the Second and Third Castles but are expected to obey and support their elder brother. Saburo defies the pledge of obedience and is banished.
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Ran

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Akira Kurosawa's sprawling, epic take on King Lear should be required viewing for fans of westerns, war movies, or period films in general.

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Critics Reviews

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Sergio Burstein Los Angeles Times A level of spectacularity that continues to surprise to this day. [Full review in Spanish] Jun 9, 2025 Full Review David Robinson The Times (UK) Ran takes film spectacle to new heights. Kurosawa continues not only to extend his own powers but to exploit new technical advances. Jan 29, 2020 Full Review Nigel Andrews Financial Times There is not a wasted second. [Here] is proof of what we seldom doubted: Kurosawa is a director who becomes godlike rather than gaga in old age. Jan 29, 2020 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …Ran means turmoil, and feudal dispute is at the heart of this stunning-looking film…Kurosawa’s swan song is a triumphant final curtain on one of cinema’s key figures for spectacle and story alike… Rated: 4/5 Jul 25, 2025 Full Review Ross McIndoe The Skinny Rereleased by StudioCanal to celebrate Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary, his breathtaking adaptation of King Lear proves, so far at least, to be as immune to the effects of time as the original Rated: 5/5 Jul 4, 2024 Full Review Panos Kotzathanasis Asian Movie Pulse “Ran” stands as a cross-cultural testament to timeless storytelling, where Kurosawa's indomitable spirit shapes a profound meditation on power, chaos, and the enduring resonance of Shakespearean influence. Rated: 9 Mar 3, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brad Akira Kurosawas brilliant direction makes this retelling of King Lear one of the best films made in the 80s! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/03/25 Full Review Wenders F Great film as I have seen it before but never on a large screen before. Unfortunately we only saw half the film today as the power went out to the theater Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/01/25 Full Review Spencer Nielsen In the same breath one of the most beautiful and bleak spectacles ever filmed. Kurosawa once again gives evidence for being one of the all-time masters of the art. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/31/24 Full Review scott A. An absolute masterpiece. Every frame is a piece of art. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/05/25 Full Review Johannes S Really long, but outstanding. Breathtaking visuals and cinematography! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/03/25 Full Review Anthony F Stunning performances and cinematography. An absolute epic, every frame beautifully composed with a level and scale of background details that blew me away with every new scene. Arguably Kurosawa's best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/01/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Ran

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Cast & Crew

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Akira Kurosawa

Director

Tatsuya Nakadai

Lord Hidetora Ichimonji

Mieko Harada

Lady Kaede

Akira Terao

Taro Takatora Ichimonji

Jinpachi Nezu

Jiro Masatora Ichimonji

Daisuke Ryu

Saburo Naotora Ichimonji

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Ran

Poster Art Ran (1985) Ran (1985) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis At the age of seventy, after years of consolidating his empire, the Great Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to abdicate and divide his domain amongst his three sons. Taro (Akira Terao), the eldest, will rule. Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu), his second son, and Saburo (Daisuke Ryu) will take command of the Second and Third Castles but are expected to obey and support their elder brother. Saburo defies the pledge of obedience and is banished.
Director
Akira Kurosawa
Producer
Masato Hara, Serge Silberman
Screenwriter
Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, William Shakespeare
Distributor
Orion Pictures
Production Co
Herald Ace, Greenwich Film Productions, Nippon Herald Films
Rating
R
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 1, 1985, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
May 23, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 29, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$342.1K
Runtime
2h 40m
Sound Mix
Magnetic Stereo 4 Track, Dolby Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)