Quite possibly the finest movie made.

Rating: Null/10 (13 December 2002)

Akira Kurosawa, arguably one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema, has surpassed even his former movies like Seven Samurai and Rashomon with this breathtaking epic of King Lear re-set in Feudal Japan.
The story line has been told in other places; suffice it to say that the movie features incredible cinematography, brilliant acting (I consider the work of Tatsuya Nakadai, playing the part of Lear/Lord Hidetora, to have been a shoo-in for the best Actor Oscar if the movie had been an American one); and Mieko Harada (Lady Kaede) is one of the most insidious and evil villianesses ever to appear on film.
Of particular interest is the sound track for the battle scenes, with the roar of the wheellock muskets muted to a whisper; it mimics the actual experiences of war when, in times of battle, the sound and fury fades into the background.
The only reason I would give this movie ten stars is that eleven is not available.