Throne of Blood
Directed by Akira Kurosawa (黒澤 明)
1957, 110 minutes
Shown as part of the Film4 Summer Screen 2013 at Somerset House
15th August 2013
Review by Mike Sullivan
Every summer Somerset House is host to an outdoor film screening sponsored by Film4, taking place over 14 nights a select number of movies are shown in the courtyard regardless of rain or clear skies. This year the 1957 movie by Akira Kurosawa, Throne of Blood, was screened. The event organizer admitted himself it was bit of a controversial choice, however this was justified by the fact that tickets were sold out and that the courtyard was packed with people eager to see the movie. He went on further to state that we were the people with the best taste in cinema, and indeed we are quite privileged to see a Kurosawa movie on the big screen, as well as lucky that we had clear skies. In addition to this the film was screened on a rare 35mm version of this classic movie.
The movie itself was shot on and around Mt Fuji, some scenes including the castle courtyard was shot in a Tokyo studio while the scenes in Washizu’s mansion were shot in the Izu peninsula. For Washizu’s famous death scene actual archers fired real arrows around him, this is in stark contrast to the fake special effects that we are used to seeing in movies today.
Throne of Blood is an interpretation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the story is focused around Washizu who is a general for the lord of spider web castle. After hearing a prophecy that he would become master of a mansion, and later lord of spider web castle, a series of events are set off, this would result in the prophecies becoming true, but through blood and death. The movie brings together forest spirits, traitors, deceit and war into a powerful conclusion.
Washizu and his best friend Miki are commanders for the lord of spider web castle, Tsuzuki. During a rebellion against Tsuzuki they successfully turn the tide of war and bring victory for Tsuzuki who then summons them to the castle. As they pass through spider web forest they lose their way and encounter a forest spirit. Taking the form of an old lady the spirit foretells that Washizu will become master of a mansion and eventually lord of spider web castle, while Miki will become commander of Fort One but that his son will one day become lord of the castle.
As per the prophecies both men move up in rank, however amidst the peace of living in their new mansion Washizu is manipulated by his wife Asaji who fills his head with fear that Miki will tell lord Tsuzuki of the prophecy and they will die. By chance Tsuzuki visits them while on a hunting trip, as he is being guarded by a different lord’s guards Asaji persuades Washizu that this is the perfect moment to kill their lord, blame it on someone else and take control of spider web castle. The previous master of the mansion had committed suicide and as Tsuzuki is staying in their bedroom at this point in the story they are staying in the room where the previous lord had died. The blood stains couldn’t be washed off and as they speak the blood in the background adds to the tension of the moment. Asaji drugs the guards with a drink and then pushes on a reluctant Washizu to murder his lord. Upon returning to his room, bloody spear in hand, he slumps to the ground in shock. His wife quickly takes the spear and places it in the hands of an unconscious guard before screaming murder.
The framed lord Noriyasu along with Tsuzuki’s son Kunimaru raise up an army to fight Washizu who they both suspect of murdering Tsuzuki, however, they are unsuccessful and when they retreat to spider web castle, which at this point is under the control of Miki, they are turned away and have to flee for their lives. Miki opens the gates to Washizu under the pretence that he is bringing the murdered lord’s body home, however in actual fact both know who killed Tsuzuki and who will now be lord of spider web castle.
As events, as well as his own traitorous actions, bear down on Washizu he starts to become unstable, the continued manipulation by his wife starts an internal struggle within him as she gradually turns him against his best friend Miki. He begins to be haunted by ghosts and gradually turns against all of his supporters until his castle becomes deserted apart from his own troops. When a new rebellion begins it becomes clear that he is very much alone.
It is a very well woven story which is punctuated by a stunning performance by Toshiro Mifune (三船 敏郎), who plays Washizu, part of the brilliance of this movie is its timelessness, and this was demonstrated by the packed courtyard. The Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House is extremely popular and it was absolutely delightful to see a movie made by one of the big screen giants, Akira Kurosawa in this beautiful building and underneath the stars.