❉ New restoration to be released on 4K UHD and Blu-ray by the BFI on 19 May.
A new restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s astonishing film, Throne of Blood, widely considered to be one of the greatest adaptations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, is released on 4K UHD and standard Blu-ray formats by the BFI on 19 May. Special features include a 2002 documentary about the making of the film that includes interviews with the director, cast and crew and an audio commentary by Japanese film expert Michael Jeck.
A truly remarkable work, Throne of Blood manages to combine beauty and terror to produce a mood of haunting power. Starring the irrepressible Toshiro Mifune as doomed warlord Washizu, and with a wonderfully creepy turn by Isuzu Yamada as the Lady Macbeth-inspired Asaji, the film displays all of Kurosawa’s familiar mastery of atmosphere and action combined with the savagery of war.
Special features
- 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 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 actor 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
- ***FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet with writing on the film by Alex Barrett, an essay on Kurosawa’s adaptations of Shakespeare by Ben Nicholson, Kurosawa on Throne of Blood (1964) and an original review
Specs
Japan / 1957 / black and white / 110 minutes / Japanese language with optional English subtitles / original aspect ratio 1.37:1 // UHD66: 2160p, 23.98fps, DTS-HD MA 1.0 mono audio // BD50: 1080p, 23.98fps, DTS-HD MA 1.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)
❉ Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood (1957) – BFI UHD & Blu-ray release on 19 May 2025: UHD: RRP: £27.99 / Cat. no. BFIU0015 / 12 | Blu-ray: RRP: £19.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1541 / 12. All BFI UHD and Blu-ray releases are available from usual home entertainment retailers and in person from the BFI Shop at BFI Southbank.
❉ News source: BFI Publicity.
❉ We Are Cult is not responsible for the content of this news release.
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