Akira Kurosawa’s Ran returns to cinemas to celebrate its 40th Anniversary

STUDIOCANAL has announced that Akira Kurosawa’s Oscar and BAFTA award-winning Ran will return to UK cinemas on June 27 to mark the 40th anniversary of the master filmmaker’s final film.

An exclusive 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition will be available to own from July 21. This special four-disc edition comes complete with a host of extras-material including the breath-taking soundtrack composed by Tôru Takemitsu (Harakiri) and a 100-page booklet.

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Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai – Yojimbo, Kagemusha) is an ageing warlord who, after spending his life consolidating his empire, decides to abdicate and divide his kingdom amongst his three sons, Taro (Akira Terao – Letter from the Mountain, Dreams), Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu – The Man in White, Red Shadow: Akakage) and Saburo (Daisuke Ryû – Tono monogatari, Gojo reisenki: Gojoe).

When Hidetora’s youngest son Saburo voices concerns about the wisdom of his father’s plan, claiming that treachery within the family will be inevitable, Hidetora mistakes these comments for a threat and banishes him. This allows Taro and Jiro to take the reins of power unopposed, leading to a brutal and bloody struggle to win absolute power.

STUDIOCANAL has commissioned the acclaimed artist Sterling Hundley to create the stunning new artwork that accompanies the film’s anniversary release and which effectively pays homage to the film’s iconic visuals via Hundley’s distinct style.

RAN (which translates as ‘turmoil’) is Akira Kurosawa’s profound exploration of Shakespeare’s King Learintertwined with the historical backdrop of Japan’s 16th century Civil Wars and the legendary tale of Morikawa, a feudal warlord with three sons. Kurosawa’s final film was immediately recognised as a masterpiece upon its release and garnered numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Costume Design and BAFTA awards for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Makeup.

Majestic in scope, RAN is a profound examination of the folly of war and the crumbling of one family under the weight of betrayal, greed and the insatiable thirst for power.