“SPECTACULAR! Among the most thrilling movie experiences a viewer can have!“
One of the most important and influential film makers in cinematic history, the Japanese born Akira Kursawa directed 30 films in a career spanning 57 years. His final masterpiece, RAN has been beautifully restored by Studio Canal (Press Release 2015) in 4k. This time it’s a true 4K scan of original negatives.
Inspired by William Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” has a stunning brand new trailer, and the 1985 film will be available on DVD and Blu-ray on May 2, 2016.
Don’t miss your chance to see Kurosawa’s masterpiece Ran on the big screen. Go for the list here.
Emi Wada won the 1986 Academy Award for best Costume Design, and Ran was nominated in 1986 for Best Director Akira Kurosawa, Best Cinematography; Takao Saitô, Shôji Ueda, Asakazu Nakai, and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: Yoshirô Muraki, Shinobu Muraki.
The 1985 Japanese film is coming to Blu-ray on May 2,2016.
The adaptation tells the story of an aging warlord who wants to divide his kingdom amongst his three sons. Jealously entails as the power-hungry siblings threaten to destroy the kingdom and their legacy. “Ran” has been a classic in film history, staging one of the most impressive battle sequences using over 1,000 extras, live horses and filming on location at ancient Japanese castles.
The number of English-friendly Kurosawa releases on Blu-ray is steadily increasing, and about a third of Kurosawa’s films are now available as fairly excellent transfers, largely thanks to Criterion.
Akira Kurosawa – Explore – The Criterion Collection
The new restoration was first screened in Cannes last year and has since been shown at film festivals in Tokyo, New York and Toronto. It is currently also being shown in selected cinemas around the US, and UK here.
The cinematic UK release coincides with the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, as well as 30 years since the film’s original UK theatrical release in 1986.
Meanwhile, here is the Rialto trailer for the spectacular 4K UHD cinematic restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” – Check out the impressive trailer here!
Order the Ran (Digitally Restored) [Blu-ray] [2016] (UK) here.
photo credit: Lionsgate Films/Studio Canal. (A still from the restored Ran).