September’24 – Nominated By KS
Nominations
- Embrace of The Serpent – 0 Votes
- Taste of Cherry – 0 Votes
- Tokyo Story – 2 Votes
- Thone of Blood – 3 Votes
Plot Synopsis
The film opens with Washizu and his fellow samurai, Miki (Banquo in the original play), returning from a victorious battle through Cobweb Forest. They encounter a mysterious spirit who prophesies their futures: Washizu will rise to become the lord of Spider’s Web Castle, and later, Miki’s offspring will also rule.
Washizu shares this prophecy with his ambitious wife, Asaji, who convinces him that the fastest way for the prophecy to be fulfilled is to murder their lord, Kuniharu Tsuzuki, when he visits their home. Driven by his wife’s manipulative encouragement and his own burgeoning ambition, Washizu kills Tsuzuki and blames the guards, whom he also kills, thus securing his position as the new lord.
As the new ruler, Washizu grows increasingly paranoid about holding onto power and the second part of the prophecy concerning Miki’s son. His fears lead him to plot the murder of Miki and his son during a hunt. Miki is killed, but his son escapes, intensifying Washizu’s paranoia.
Washizu, now tormented by guilt and fear, consults the spirit again, which tells him that he will not be defeated until Cobweb Forest marches to attack Spider’s Web Castle. Confident that such an event is impossible, Washizu feels secure until he sees enemy forces using trees from Cobweb Forest as camouflage to advance on the castle, fulfilling the spirit’s prophecy in a literal sense.
In the climactic siege, Washizu’s soldiers turn against him, driven by the revelation of his treachery and crimes. He is ultimately killed by arrows from his own men, depicted in a dramatic sequence that highlights his tragic downfall. Asaji, overwhelmed by guilt and madness, spirals into despair.
Themes:
“Throne of Blood” explores the corrupting influence of power and the inevitable downfall that follows unchecked ambition, themes central to “Macbeth.” Kurosawa adapts these themes to a Japanese context, emphasizing the rigid codes of honor and loyalty characteristic of samurai culture, which make the betrayals all the more stark and tragic.
The film is noted for its atmospheric use of natural settings, particularly the eerie, mist-laden Cobweb Forest, which adds a supernatural quality to the story. The Noh theater-inspired performances, especially by Isuzu Yamada as Asaji, lend a stylized and haunting aesthetic that underscores the film’s dark themes.
“Throne of Blood” remains a critical favorite for its powerful integration of Shakespearean drama with Japanese historical and cultural elements, making it one of the most compelling cinematic adaptations of “Macbeth.”
Average Scores
| Enjoyable | Plot | Acting | Camera | Themes | Music | Casting | Wildcard | Total | |
| Average Score | 3.75 | 1.2 | 0.74 | 0.79 | 0.35 | 0.3 | 0.33 | 0.1 | 7.55 |
| Max Score | 5 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | +/- 0.5 | 11.5 |
| Difference | 1.25 | 0.8 | 0.76 | 0.21 | 0.15 | 0.2 | 0.18 | 0.4 | 3.95 |
Individual Scores
| Reviewer | Enjoyable | Plot | Acting | Camera | Themes | Music | Casting | Wildcard | Total |
| MA | 5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | -0.5 | 7.1 |
| YA | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| ZA | 5 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 03 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 9.4 |
| BM | 0 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.7 | 0.35 | 0.25 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 4.6 |
| KS | 5 | 1.5 | 0.55 | 0.75 | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 9.1 |