I do understand that this work is on MDL more for completeness than for its fanbase, which is why it's rated lower than Divorce Attorney Shin. It should still be given the respect it deserves.

The basic plot of Ran is similar to King Lear: one ruler, three heirs, tragedy ensues. It's set in approximately 16th century Japan.

For me this is a film with no flaws. Kurosawa-sensei had a huge vision and a tremendous eye for detail.

The casting was perfect. The acting was inspired. The sets and costumes were nothing short of spectacular. The battle scenes were sweeping and raw. The intrigue was both credible and unbelievably well executed.

The truth is that I don't have enough superlatives to describe Ran. "Epic" doesn't even begin to cover it. But so many prominent critics have studied it that my opinion serves only to introduce viewers who may not know about it.

If nothing else, watching this film is an art history lesson. I first watched it as a teenager and it opened my eyes to what cinema as an art can do.