Ran (film)
Akira Kurosawa conceived the idea for Ran in the mid-1970s while reading about the Sengoku-period warlord Mōri Motonari. Motonari was famous for having three highly loyal sons, but Kurosawa began imagining what would have happened if they were bad instead. He wrote the script shortly after filming Dersu Uzala in 1975 and then let it sleep for seven years. During this time he painted storyboards of every shot in the film. These paintings later appeared with the screenplay on the Criterion Collection DVD release. Kurosawa became aware of Shakespeare's play King Lear only after he had started pre-planning. The stories of Mōri Motonari and Lear merged in a way he was never fully able to explain. He secured backing from French producer Serge Silberman following his success with 1980's Kagemusha. Kagemusha served as a dress rehearsal or dry run for Ran. Kurosawa once said Hidetora is me, suggesting the character serves as a stand-in for himself.
Filming began in 1983 with a budget that made it the most expensive Japanese film in history at the time. The production required 1,400 uniforms and suits of armor designed by costume designer Emi Wada and Kurosawa. Master tailors worked over more than two years to create these handmade garments. The film also used 200 horses during shooting. Most of Ran was shot amidst the mountains and plains of Mount Aso, Japan's largest active volcano. Kurosawa received permission to shoot at two famous landmarks, the ancient castles at Kumamoto and Himeji. For Lady Sue's family castle, they used ruins of the custom-constructed Azusa castle built near Mount Fuji. Hidetora's third castle burned to the ground was a real building constructed on the slopes of Mount Fuji. No miniatures were used for that segment, and Tatsuya Nakadai had to do the scene where Hidetora flees the castle in one take. Kurosawa filmed a scene requiring an entire field to be sprayed gold but cut it out during editing. Akira Kurosawa's wife Yōko Yaguchi died during production, causing him to halt filming for one day to mourn.
Kurosawa often shot scenes with three cameras simultaneously, each using different lenses and angles. Many long-shots were employed while very few close-ups appeared. On several occasions he used static cameras and suddenly brought action into frame rather than tracking movement. He also used jump cuts to progress certain scenes, changing the pace of action for filmic effect. The heavy ghost-like make-up worn by Tatsuya Nakadai's character resembles emotive masks from traditional Noh theatre. Body language exhibited by the same character shows typical Noh theatre patterns: long periods of static motion and silence followed by abrupt sometimes violent changes in stance. Lady Kaede receives similar Noh treatment emphasizing ruthless passionate single-minded natures. The battle of Hachiman Field illustrates new warfare where Saburo's arquebusiers annihilate Jiro's cavalry. Kurosawa frequently set focal planes beyond the action so armies appear as abstract entities. Arquebuses revolutionized samurai warfare and served as vehicles for apocalyptic destruction throughout the film. The complex etymology for the word Ran translates variously as chaos rebellion or revolt meaning disturbed or confused.
Tōru Takemitsu was Japan's preeminent film score composer who secured involvement in 1976 during early project stages. Their initial conception used tategoe a shrill-voice chant style without instrumentation. As production began his desire changed 180 degrees now insisting on powerful Mahleresque orchestral score. Takemitsu responded with what many describe as his most romantic effort achieving perfect blending of Oriental and Occidental sensibilities. He stated he was significantly influenced by Japanese karmic concept ma interpreted as surplus energy surrounding abundant void. My music is like a garden I am gardener listening can be compared walking through experiencing light pattern texture changes. The project allowed Kurosawa and Takemitsu to collaborate again after their first work together Dodes'ka-den in 1970. Kurosawa originally wanted London Symphony Orchestra but engaged Hiroyuki Iwaki of Sapporo Symphony Orchestra instead. The orchestra played up to 40 takes of the music before recording completed. Running time of soundtrack just over an hour re-released in 2016 after original 1985 release by Silva Screen Productions. Years later Takemitsu related feeling if only he'd left more up to me but seeing it now fine way is.
Released the 1st of June 1985 film earned $12 million in Japan just enough to break even. In France where released the 18th of September 1985 sold 813,081 tickets grossing estimated French francs amount. United States December 1985 release grossed $3,763,760 in first four weeks. Later re-releases between 2000 and 2016 brought total North American gross to higher figures. Germany 1986 release sold 222,862 tickets grossing estimated German marks amount. Film also grossed small amounts in United Kingdom Portugal bringing worldwide total approximately dollars. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes holds approval rating of 96% based on 89 reviews average rating 9 out of 10. Metacritic weighted average score 97 out of 100 indicating universal acclaim from critics. Shawn Levy Portland Oregonian called it Kurosawa's most sumptuous film feast color motion sound. Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times declared Ran great glorious achievement. Vincent Canby New York Times noted terrible logic clarity morality tale seen tight close-up ageless infinitely adaptable. In 2009 voted No. 59 greatest Japanese Films All Time by Kinema Junpo magazine.
Ran completed too late for Cannes premiere at Japan's Tokyo International Film Festival instead. Kurosawa skipped premiere angering many Japanese film industry members resulting no submission as Japan entry Best Foreign Language Film category Oscars. Serge Silberman tried get nominated French co-production but failed. American director Sidney Lumet helped organize campaign have Kurosawa nominated Best Director. Nominated Academy Awards art direction cinematography costume design won direction. Also nominated Golden Globe Best Foreign Language Film. Japan conspicuously not nominated Best Picture at Awards Japanese Academy. Won two prizes best art direction best music score received four other nominations. Won two awards British Academy Film Television Arts foreign language film make-up artist. Ranked 41st director poll British Film Institute 2002 Sight Sound polls greatest films ever made. 2007 ranked No. 28 Guardian readers poll 40 greatest foreign films all time. Selected BBC list 100 greatest foreign language films 2018 by 209 critics 43 countries worldwide.
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Common questions
Who conceived the idea for Ran in the mid-1970s?
Akira Kurosawa conceived the idea for Ran in the mid-1970s while reading about the Sengoku-period warlord Mōri Motonari. He wrote the script shortly after filming Dersu Uzala in 1975 and let it sleep for seven years.
When did filming begin for the film Ran with a budget that made it the most expensive Japanese film in history at the time?
Filming began in 1983 with a budget that made it the most expensive Japanese film in history at the time. The production required 1,400 uniforms and suits of armor designed by costume designer Emi Wada and Kurosawa.
What is the etymology meaning of the word Ran used in Akira Kurosawa's 1985 film?
The complex etymology for the word Ran translates variously as chaos rebellion or revolt meaning disturbed or confused. This title reflects the themes of the film where armies appear as abstract entities and warfare becomes apocalyptic destruction.
Which composer created the score for Ran and when did he secure involvement during early project stages?
Tōru Takemitsu was Japan's preeminent film score composer who secured involvement in 1976 during early project stages. Their initial conception used tategoe a shrill-voice chant style without instrumentation before changing to a powerful Mahleresque orchestral score.
On what date was the film Ran released in France and how many tickets were sold there?
In France where released the 18th of September 1985 sold 813,081 tickets grossing estimated French francs amount. United States December 1985 release grossed $3,763,760 in first four weeks.