Akira Kurosawa's brilliantly conceived re-telling of Shakespeare's King Lear magically mixes Japanese history, Shakespeares plot and Kurosawa's own feelings about loyalty in the epic masterpiece, RAN. Set in 16th century Japan, an ageing ruler, Lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai), announces his intention to divide his land equally among his three sons. This decision to step down unleashes a power struggle between the three, when Hidetora falls prey to the false flattery bestowed upon him by the two older sons and banishes the youngest when he speaks the thruth. The ruthless betrayal ultimately drives Hidetora insane, destroying his entire family and kingdom.
