Once again, we will look at another adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” but set in Feudal Japan. “Throne of Blood,” a Japanes movie, directed by the iconic Akira Kurosawa, is considered by many to be one of the play’s best adaptations, though it has a few changes from the original.

Despite being shot in black and white, the movie features fine cinematography with outdoor scenes around Mount Fuji and some impressive studio-created sets. The plot is set in Feudal Japan and begins with two generals, Miki (Minoru Chiaki) and Washizu (Toshiro Mifune), returning to their samurai warlord, Kuniharu (Takamaru Sasaki), after a victorious battle against another rival warlord.

As they make their way across Spider’s Web Forest to their leader’s palace, they come face to face with an evil spirit in the guise of an old woman weaving cloth with a hand-loom spinning wheel. Notice that Kurosawa deviates from the original play with this spirit taking the place of the three witches. The spirit with the wheel symbolizes that she is weaving a pattern in the fate of these two warriors. She is also more direct with her prophecies, telling Washizu that he will be king and then telling Miki that his son will be king.

Later, upon arriving home, Washizu tells his wife Asaji (Isuzu Yamada) about his encounter with the spirit. Asaji, in typical Lady Macbeth style, persuades her husband that he should usurp the throne by murdering the king. Interestingly, she even suggests that Miki may tell their leader about the spirit’s predictions, who in turn could have Washizu killed.

Just as in the play, Washizu commits murder and usurps the throne. In this screenplay, unlike Banquo, Miki, oblivious to Washizu’s diabolical deeds, accepts the latter’s becoming king as prophecy coming true and believes that Washizu will appoint his son as heir.

However, Washizu attempts to assassinate Miki and his son, but his son escapes the attempt and joins a rival warlord. This version of the tragedy of Macbeth does not include a Macduff character but does include the ‘forest moving’ prophecy. The end of “Throne of Blood” is one of the most creative improvisations of the original play.

“Throne of Blood” is considered one of the best adaptations of Macbeth, despite Kurosawa taking poetic liberties with the plot. The visuals in this movie are impressive, as are the acting performances. This is a great-looking movie that is worth watching.