Throne of Blood [4K UHD]

4K restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s astonishing film, widely considered to be one of the greatest adaptations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

A truly remarkable film, Throne of Blood manages to combine beauty and terror to produce a mood of truly haunting power. Starring the irrepressible Toshiro Mifune as the doomed warlord Washizu and a wonderfully creepy turn by Isuzu Yamada as the Lady Macbeth-inspired Asaji, the film shows Kurosawa's familiar mastery of atmosphere and action combined with the savagery of war.

Extras

•  Restored 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)

•  Introduction by Sir Ian McKellen (2016, 2 mins)

•  Introduction to Throne of Blood by Mamoun Hassan (2012, 7 mins): the late writer, director, and producer introduces a screening of Akira Kurosawa’s film at the BFI Southbank

•  Audio commentary by Japanese film expert Michael Jeck

•  Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Throne of Blood (2002, 23 mins): this documentary about the making of Throne of Blood features interviews with Akira Kurosawa, production designer Yoshiro Muraki, Noh performer Mitsuhiro Honda (from the Konparu School), and actress Isuzu Yamada

•  Macbeth (1945, 16 mins): two scenes from Shakespeare’s famous Scottish tragedy, with Wilfrid Lawson and Cathleen Nesbitt as a fine murderous duo

•  Original trailer