In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Ran returns to the big screen in a breathtaking 4K restoration that reaffirms why this film stands among cinema’s greatest epic masterpieces. Directed by Akira Kurosawa—one of the most influential Japanese filmmakers—the film is the culmination of his lifelong fascination with history, human nature, and the chaos of war. Inspired by Shakespeare’s King Lear and Japanese history, Ran follows Tatsuya Nakadai as the aging warlord Hidetora Ichimonji, whose decision to divide his kingdom among his sons leads to betrayal, ruin, and madness. Renowned for its stunning cinematography, the film showcases meticulously choreographed battles and a masterful use of color, reflecting Kurosawa’s background as a painter. Released in 1985, Ran is regarded as one of Kurosawa’s final masterpieces, cementing his legacy after decades of groundbreaking work—from Seven Samurai to Throne of Blood and High and Low. Four decades on, the film remains as grand, moving, and philosophically profound as ever.