Men prefer sorrow over joy... suffering over peace!

Rating: 9/10 (20 November 2011)

Having seen many, maybe even most of Akira Kurosawa's films, I cannot explain why I have waited so long to watch this one, considered by many to be his best, and one of the great films of all times. Maybe I was just waiting to watch it on Blu Ray. Maybe I neglected it because it did not star Toshirô Mifune. It is my loss until now.
The film was captivating from beginning to end. The palace intrigue kept getting stranger and stranger. You never knew who was on who's side. It was a masterful work with stunning cinematography and music that enthralled. The acting on all counts was superb, especially from Tatsuya Nakadai as Lord Hidetora, and Mieko Harada as Lady Kaede.
One of the very best films of all time, and the best by Kurosawa.