A new restoration of Kurosawa Akira’s astonishing film, Throne of Blood (Kumonosu-jō, 1957), widely considered to be one of the greatest adaptations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, will be released on 4K UHD and standard Blu-ray formats by the BFI in May. Special features include a 2002 documentary about the making of the film that includes interviews with the director, cast and crew and an audio commentary by Japanese film expert Michael Jeck.

A truly remarkable work, Throne of Blood manages to combine beauty and terror to produce a mood of haunting power. Starring the irrepressible Mifune Toshirō as doomed warlord Washizu, and with a wonderfully creepy turn by Yamada Isuzu as the Lady Macbeth-inspired Asaji, the film displays all of Kurosawa’s familiar mastery of atmosphere and action combined with the savagery of war.

Throne of Blood will be released on 4K UHD and Blu-ray by the BFI on 19 May 2025 at the RRP of £27.99 for the UHD and £19.99 for the Blu-ray.

UHD AND BLU-RAY FEATURES:

• Restored 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Introduction by Sir Ian McKellen (2016, 2 mins)
• Introduction to Throne of Blood by Mamoun Hassan (2012, 7 mins): the late writer, director and producer introduces a screening of Kurosawa Akira’s film at BFI Southbank
• Audio commentary by Japanese-film expert Michael Jeck
• Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Throne of Blood (2002, 23 mins): this documentary about the making of Throne of Blood features interviews with Kurosawa, production designer Muraki Yoshiro, Noh performer Honda Mitsuhiro (from the Konparu School) and actor Yamada Isuzu
• Macbeth (1945, 16 mins): two scenes from Shakespeare’s famous Scottish tragedy, with Wilfrid Lawson and Cathleen Nesbitt as a fine murderous duo
• Original trailer
• First pressing only – Illustrated booklet with writing on the film by Alex Barrett, an essay on Kurosawa’s adaptations of Shakespeare by Ben Nicholson, Kurosawa on Throne of Blood (1964) and an original review