Ran (The Criterion Collection)
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Movie Reviews of Ran (The Criterion Collection)
Movie Review: A Cinematic Masterpiece: Criterion Edition
Summary: 5 Stars
Thank you Criterion! This wonderful DVD presented by Criterion is the one to purchase. Having owned both the horrendous Fox Lorber DVD, and then the Masterworks DVD, I can state without any hesitation that this is the one to have. "Ran" is one of the GREAT films by director Akira Kurosawa. Many regard it as his last masterpiece, however, I still have a strong affinity for his later film "Dreams," as well. But this is a MASTERPIECE. Many have already commented on the film, therefore, I will ONLY give a brief synopsis, and focus mainly on the latest CRITERION edition. If you have not seen the film, I HIGHLY recommend that you do. Moreover, for viewers that like this film, I would also like to recommend that you seek out "HARAKIRI" which was directed by Masaki Kobayashi, and also stars Tatsuya Nakadai in the main role. It is a classic!
In "Ran," the films narrative centers on a father of three sons who is aging. Lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai) has fought many battles during his many years, and now with his vast empire without war, he decides that the time has come for him to retire and enjoy his remaining years at peace. He believes that this is the best thing to do so that when the time comes for him to die, there will be no unrest in the land. However, one of his sons objects to this. He tells the father that in doing this he will only weaken the empire. He warns that father that this will lead to tragic consequences. Which it will! For his impudence, his father Lord Hidetora banishes him from the land. What the son envisions, however, comes to fruition as we see the other sons vying for more power and glory. To tell you anything further will ruin this great film for you.
As for the CRITERION release, it is great. The transfer of this particular DVD IS THE BEST PERIOD! For those who had the Masterworks DVD, this latest CRITERION release does not have any cropped footage, and the color is absolutely beautiful. I have friends who liked their Masterworks DVD, until I invited them over to watch the CRITERION release--they now have CRITERION editions. Also, there is an excellent behind the scenes documentary by Chris Marker on the second disc. This alone I would have paid for. Also, what I really enjoyed was the latest interview of actor Tatsuya Nakadai (Lord Hidetori) Plus, there is an excellent booklet [as usual] provided in the case with an interview by Kurosawa done in 1985, concerning the film "RAN." If there are any of you who were deciding which of the versions to buy--then it is the CRITERION DVD. This is a wonderful film that I would love to watch with my wife in a movie theater some day. Highly, highly recommended. Enjoy this wonderful masterpiece of cinematic beauty! [Stars: 5+]
Movie Review: Criterion gives a superb film superb treatment
Summary: 5 Stars
I was one of those unfortunates who actually purchased the "Masterworks Edition" DVD of "Ran." When the menu came up showing a scene from the movie, I thought perhaps I was seeing things. "What happened to the grass?" I asked myself. I had remembered lush green grass in the film, but here the grass looked like a weak greenish brown. I remember Kurosawa in a film once talking about how he always wanted his grass in his films to look lush and green. I asked myself, "I wonder what Kurosawa would thing of this DVD?"
Looking through the film I realized that this was a poor transfer. Perhaps the worst part of the DVD was the "restoration" demo, showing before and after shots. The picture was notably sharper in the "after" shots, this is true, but also with a profound shift in the color and an overall desaturation. Thus, the "before" shots showed blurred but lush green grass, which became sharply-focused but brownish grass. In other shots, a blue sky was "restored" to a sort of rusty hue, while bright red banners were so desaturated they almost disappeared from view. I even tried to tweak the picture with the settings on my television, but to no avail.
The "Masterworks Edition" restoration demo, as brief as it may have been, has to be one of the most irritating viewing experiences I have ever had.
When I recently came across "Ran" listed here on amazon.com, I read the reviews and realized that many people agreed with me. I also realized I needed to get the Criterion Collection version. I love Criterion and they have very high standards. What a joy it was to pop my new DVD in the player and see "Ran" the way it was meant to be seen.
The Criterion Collection version of "Ran" is excellent. It is a beautiful sharp transfer with proper color saturation. There is a commentary by Stephen Price and a film appreciation by Sidney Lumet. Disc Two has some great supplements, including a documentary on Kurosawa, another documentary on the making of "Ran," an absolutely ravishing tour through Kurosawa's paintings and sketches for the film (which, by the way, clearly indicate Kurosawa's color preferences!), and an interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai. There is also a wonderful 28-page booklet stuffed with interesting reviews and interviews.
"Ran" is one of Kurosawa's greatest films, and perhaps one of the greatest Japanese films ever made. It is not surprising that Criterion has given this film the stellar treatment. It is a splendid film and Criterion's version is a splendid addition to your DVD collection.
Movie Review: Movie Review: Ran
Summary: 5 Stars
It is the story in the Warring State Period in Japan. One day, Hidetora, who is the lord in a province and has three castles, talked his children to give them his patrimony suddenly. He also told his children the story that three arrows because he hopes they support each other to govern to flourish the province. However, his third son, Saburo, opposed that, He thought some conflict would happened between children to monopolize their patrimony if father gave them his patrimony. Although Saburo opposed Hidetora's suggestion, he did not listen to him, and he was angry. Therefore, Saburo was forsaken by Hidetora. One of guests, Fujimaki, who saw the quarrel between Hidetora and Saburo, favored Saburo. Then he invited his castle as his son - in - law. While Saburo is invited by Fujimaki, other two children plot to start fighting. Though, their father, Hidetora lived in the first castle which was given Ichiro, he was treated badly from both of his children. Moreover, he was attacked by them, it means he was betrayed from his children. Finally, he understand Saburo was right, but it is too late. He became crazy when two of his follower found him. The follower left one person and went to Fujimaki's Castle to call Saburo. Saburo went to seek his father with many soldiers. Jiro who is second son of Hidetora heard Saburo is coming to get Hidetora and afraid of Saburo's invading. Jiro followed his army to prepare the war. Then, he tried to kill Saburo when he went to seek Hidetora. However, Saburo was really smart because he makes hide his soldiers who have guns. Jiro was trapped Saburo's strategy and he finally lost the war. Then, Saburo found Hidetora and he went back with his father. However, the last tragedy happened. Saburo was shot by someone, and died when he went back his castle. And then, Hidetora also died after Saburo died.
The movie is described about the relationship between human very well. The struggle of parent's inherits also happen today. It is not only showing old time era but also today's inherit problems. Inheritance makes change relationships between people even they were very close before. The movie was drawn the look of that father became an insane very well. Although I have never watched Akira Kurosawa's movie, I felt his skill of an expression of people's feeling is awesome! i have never seen such a good movie of period play. I understand why he is a famous around the world watching through his movie, Ran.
Movie Review: Kurosawa Rocks!
Summary: 5 Stars
I know that a lot of folks don't necessarily give Kurosawa's later works their proper due. Choosing to focus on his earlier masterworks like Seven Samurai, Ikiru, Yojimbo, Throne of Blood, The Bad Sleep Well, Stray Dog, etc, which are indeed astounding films. However, Ran should not be overlooked in the slightest. Without going into the nitty gritty of the piece it is basically a transposition of King Lear into a period of feudel Japanese history with the notable difference being the presence of three sons rather than daughters. It is a film of epic scope and contains within a final five minutes that could most likely bring tears to the eye. Aesthetically, this film is unmatched. It is gorgeous, colorful and vibrant and yet incredibly dark and cynical. Humanity does not get any gold stars in this one and justifiably so. Criterion films are very expensive but as is the case for most of them this one is worth every single penny. The image and sound are both pristine. The audio commentary is insightful and Chris Marker's documentary tone poem on disc 2 is worth the cost in and of itself. As a package it is absolutely stunning. To say much more would be superfluous as the film is epic, yet intimate, emotionally driven, yet possessed of one the most heart stopping battle sequences I have seen committed to film. For once you feel the tragedy. If you are a fan of Kurosawa but haven't explored his later works then do yourself a favor and pick this one up. IF you are brand new to his work I might start elsewhere with something a little less stylized like Ikiru or Seven Samurai but keep this one high on the list because it is without a doubt another one of his masterworks.Movie Review: The only time I've ever upgraded a DVD was with this Criterion edition...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the only DVD in which I've ever "doubled dipped". I had the original Fox Lorber DVD, which was atrocious, even by Fox Lorber's horrible standards. They were issuing DVD's when the DVD format first started out, and nearly 90 percent of their transfers were wretched, like the one for Ran. Luckily, Criterion restored this film (along with Kagemusha) to a proper, 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The older DVD copies had a black bar across the bottom of the screen, but not one on the top (resulting in an awkward transfer), and the subtitles weren't the greatest either. There were no extras (except for a trailer and a very scant filmography). Now, with the Criterion edition, you get a great transfer (this is the first time I've seen the film properly), and you get Chris Marker's great documentary A.K. (on the 2nd disc). Marker's documentary reminds me of Wim Wenders's wonderful Tokyo-Ga, which was made a few years earlier than A.K. (and has a very rare cameo by Marker himself, who is notoriously shy). It's fascinating to see Kurosawa do his magic, and I've always liked older filmmaking documentaries, because they were generally rare in those days, and most of them are done in a very cinematic style (and people don't play for the cameras).
As for the film itself, it's Kurosawa's greatest work (made when he was 75). Kurosawa did make 3 films after this one (Dreams, Rhaspody in August, and Madadayo), and while they're great (especially Dreams and Madadayo), this was really Kurosawa's last great epic film. It's my favorite Kurosawa film and one of my top ten favorites. This is a masterpiece, and the Criterion DVD does it justice.