When was Throne of Blood released in Japan?
Throne of Blood was released theatrically in Japan on the 15th of January 1957, by Toho. It became the second-highest-grossing Japanese film of that year.
Questions about Throne of Blood
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What Shakespeare play is Throne of Blood based on?
Throne of Blood is based on William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, written in 1606. Kurosawa transposed the story from Medieval Scotland to feudal Japan and incorporated stylistic elements from Noh drama.
Why did Akira Kurosawa delay making Throne of Blood?
Kurosawa postponed the project after learning that Orson Welles had released his own version of Macbeth in 1948. He had planned the adaptation since completing Rashomon in 1950.
Were real arrows used in Toshiro Mifune's death scene in Throne of Blood?
Yes, real arrows were shot by skilled archers at Toshiro Mifune during filming. Mifune waved his arms to signal his intended direction so the archers could avoid accidentally hitting him in a dangerous location.
What film festival screened Throne of Blood first?
Throne of Blood was the first film screened at the 1st BFI London Film Festival, on the 16th of October 1957. After the screening, Kurosawa attended a party where he met Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.
What awards did Throne of Blood win?
Throne of Blood won two Mainichi Film Awards, including Best Actor for Toshiro Mifune and Best Art Direction for Yoshiro Muraki. It also received nominations at the Venice Film Festival and Kinema Junpo Awards.