Ran (1985)
Akira Kurosawa's monumental samurai epic — a shattering vision of power, betrayal, and madness set in feudal Japan.
Ran - Movie Information
- Original Title: 乱
- Release Year: 1985
- Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Drama, History
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 40m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 1, 1985 (Japan), August 18, 2000 (United States - R), October 21, 1985 (United Kingdom - 12A), April 10, 1986 (Germany - 12), September 17, 1985 (France), September 1, 1986 (Australia), December 19, 1986 (Brazil), September 24, 1985 (Italy), November 22, 1985 (Spain - 16)
- Alternative Titles: 亂(1985) (HK), Ran (ES), Ran (BR), Revolt (UK), Ռան (AM)
- Production Companies: Nippon Herald Films, Greenwich Film Production, Herald Ace
- Production Countries: Japan, France
Ran - Plot
Shakespeare's King Lear is reimagined as a singular historical epic set in sixteenth-century Japan where an aging warlord divides his kingdom between his three sons.
Ran - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and witness Kurosawa's epic vision unfold in stunning scope.
In a mad world, only the mad are sane.
Where to Watch Ran
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Ran - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Akira Kurosawa
Main Cast
- Tatsuya Nakadai
- Akira Terao
- Jinpachi Nezu
- Daisuke Ryū
- Mieko Harada
- Yoshiko Miyazaki
- Mansai Nomura
- Hisashi Igawa
- Shinnosuke Ikehata
- Masayuki Yui
Writers
- Hideo Oguni
- Akira Kurosawa
- Masato Ide
Producers
- Masato Hara
- Serge Silberman
Ran - FAQs
What is Ran based on?
Ran is Akira Kurosawa's bold reimagining of Shakespeare's King Lear, transplanted into sixteenth-century feudal Japan. Kurosawa also drew inspiration from the real-life story of Mōri Motonari, a powerful Japanese warlord who famously counseled unity among his three sons.
Who plays Lord Hidetora in Ran?
Tatsuya Nakadai delivers a towering performance as Lord Hidetora Ichimonji, the aging warlord at the center of the story. His portrayal of a proud ruler descending into madness and grief is widely considered one of the greatest performances in Japanese cinema.
What is Ran about?
Ran follows Lord Hidetora, an aging Japanese warlord who divides his kingdom among his three sons, only to be betrayed and cast out. What unfolds is a devastating portrait of pride, greed, and family destruction — a grand meditation on power and the chaos that follows its misuse.
What does “Ran” mean in Japanese?
The title Ran (乱) translates from Japanese as “chaos” or “revolt.” It perfectly captures the film’s central themes: the collapse of order, the madness of war, and the catastrophic unraveling of a dynasty torn apart by ambition and betrayal.
Where can you stream Ran?
You can watch Ran on several platforms. It’s available on the BFI Player Amazon Channel, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Kanopy, and Fawesome — with free and ad-supported options making it easy to access this landmark of world cinema.
Did Ran win any major awards?
Ran earned an Academy Award for Best Costume Design (Emi Wada) and received nominations for Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction. It also won the BAFTA for Best Foreign Language Film and swept numerous awards from critics’ circles around the world.
How long is Ran?
Ran runs for 160 minutes — just over two and a half hours. Despite its length, the film moves with remarkable purpose and visual grandeur, and most viewers find the runtime completely justified by the scale and emotional depth of Kurosawa’s storytelling.
What is the age rating for Ran?
Ran is rated R in the United States, reflecting its intense and graphic battle sequences, mature themes of betrayal and madness, and scenes of violence. It is not recommended for younger audiences, but it remains essential viewing for fans of serious, ambitious cinema.
More About Ran
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