Throne of Blood (1957)- Akira Kurosawa
Verdict: Watch it!
Macbeth is my favorite Shakespeare play. So when I learned that Akira Kurosawa not only felt the same way about Macbeth as I did, but also directed his own version, I went on a frenzied search. After finding and watching it, my opinion was set: Throne of Blood became my favorite play to film adaptation.
Kurosawa casts his “wounded beast” Toshiro Mifune as Washizu (Macbeth) and the icy Isuzu Yamada as Asaji (Lady Macbeth) to perfect effect. While Kurosawa twists the original plot slightly, his changes are so well executed that they will keep the Shakespeare enthusiast happily guessing rather than perturbed. He also creates at least two of my favorite scenes in cinema, one of which is among the most famous (I wont spoil either for you). And don’t even get me started on the cinematography.
Do you like Shakespeare, Akira Kurosowa, or great movies in general? Then don’t miss out on Throne of Blood. Watch it! Soon.
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