The films of
Akira Kurosawa offer endless bounty of rewards with repeat viewings and the
more historical background is uncovered. His films are like eating an
artichoke, finding layer upon layer until the heart is finally
revealed. Even those who stop before reaching the center will be satisfied,
with skilled filmmaking carrying a classic narrative, though this is no comparison to the delectable morsels at the center.
It would be
easiest to refer to Throne of Blood as Kurosawa’s adaptation of William
Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and knowing
only the story of the Scottish King from this tale would be enough to make Throne of Blood entertaining. Kurosawa
made the change in setting from eleventh-century Scotland
to sixteenth century Japan
