Theatrical re-release for 15th anniversary: August 18, 2000 (NY/LA/SEATTLE)
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Mount Aso, where many of the mountain and plains sequences were shot, is an active volcano on the island of Kyushu.
(23 votes)
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Original released in 1985.
(22 votes)
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RAN was shot on location in Japan at Himeji Castle, Kumamoto Castle, and Nagoya Castle, in the cities of Gotemba, Kokonoe, and Shonai. Interior scenes were shot at Toho Studios and also at Kurosawa's own studio in Yokohama.
(22 votes)
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Fall 2000 (WIDER)
(22 votes)
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Kurosawa employed roughly 1,400 extras and 250 horses for the film's enormous battle scenes. Many of the extras were enthusiastic locals from nearby towns.
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Utilizing his famous "multi-camera" method, Kurosawa shot the film simultaneously from different angles using three cameras with various-sized lenses.
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The film's visuals are strongly influenced by Noh drama. Lord Hidetora's make-up, for example, alludes to ancient Noh tradition, with his face painted to appear as either "akijo," a demon mask or "shiwajo," the mask of a sorrow-filled elderly wanderer.
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In addition to KING LEAR, RAN is also partially based on the 16th century Japanese legend of Mori, a warlord with three loyal sons. In one of the film's first scenes, Kurosawa presents Mori's story of the three arrows, supposedly unbreakable when held together. Here the director examines what might happen if all three sons were not loyal and the arrows could be broken.
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With its similar themes and the same leading actor (Tatsuya Nakadai), Kurosawa's previous film, KAGEMUSHA, was considered a "dry-run" for RAN.
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