NOTE: The below Blu-ray and 4K UHD captures were taken directly from the respective discs.

ADDITION: BFI 4K UHD (May 2025): BFI has transferred Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood to 4K UHD. It is cited as being "Restored 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)". This is a lone disc with feature and extras - there is no second disc Blu-ray. We compared Criterion's 2003 DVD, 2001 BFI PAL DVD, and 2014 Criterion Blu-ray HERE and to the 4K UHD below.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software is simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So, our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. The framing, detail, grain texture support, etc. are generally not effected by this simulation representation.

The BFI’s 4K UHD presentation showcases a native 4K restoration by Toho Co., Ltd. sourced from the original 35mm negatives - a significant upgrade over previous releases, including Criterion’s 2014 2K Blu-ray, which used a 35 mm master positive. Presented in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the 2160P image utilizes 10-bit video depth, Wide Color Gamut (WCG,) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible,) encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec. The result is a brilliant visual experience that honors Kurosawa’s meticulous cinematography. The restoration reveals a higher level of detail, from the intricate textures of samurai armor and kimonos to the fine grain of wooden structures in the Spider Web Castle. Dolby Vision enhances the film’s high-contrast black-and-white photography, delivering rich, inky blacks and bright, nuanced whites. The grey scale is strikingly dynamic with atmospheric fog and shadowy interiors, gaining depth and dimensionality. Highlights, such as light filtering through forest branches or glinting off armor, infuse with natural luminance, while shadows maintain detail without crushing. The HDR grade is restrained yet impactful, amplifying Kurosawa’s moody aesthetic, especially in fog-laden forest scenes and the climactic arrow barrage. The 2160P image is far more balanced (even as darker in dark scenes, brighter in well lit scenes,) sharper and more film-like. Our captures can't do it justice. Kurosawa’s compositions - rooted in Noh theater’s minimalism and Japanese ink painting - are 'chiaroscuro' in 4K. The spider web-like forest, the claustrophobic castle interiors, and the surreal moving forest sequence are rendered with unparalleled clarity, making this the definitive visual presentation of the film.

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution 4K UHD captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their 4K UHD, BFI uses a DTS-HD Master mono track (24-bit) in the original Japanese language. While inherently limited by the 1957 recording technology, the soundtrack is remarkably clean and effective, complementing the film’s atmospheric intensity. Dialogue is crisp and prioritized, with Toshiro Mifune’s dynamic vocal range and Isuzu Yamada’s chilling monotone delivered clearly. The track handles the film’s sparse soundscape - ambient forest sounds, creaking wood, and the rhythmic clatter of arrows - with precision, maintaining a natural tone. Masaru Satō’s (The Hidden Fortress, The Bad Sleep Well, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, Red Beard,, High and Low,) minimalist score, inspired by Noh music, is reproduced with clarity, its haunting flute and percussive drums adding to the sense of dread. Sound effects, such as the forest spirit’s spinning wheel or the thwack of arrows in the climax, are sharp and impactful, enhancing the film’s visceral moments. This is quite an advancement from the problematic BFI DVD's audio. Throne of Blood's lossless mono track is faithful to the original presentation. BFI offers optional English subtitles on their Region FREE 4K UHD.

On the BFI 4K UHD, we get Japanese film expert Michael Jeck (film programmer of the AFI Theater at the Kennedy Center for a decade) providing a detailed, engaging commentary, carried over from Criterion’s Blu-ray release. He explores Kurosawa’s adaptation choices, Noh theater influences, and the performances of Mifune and Yamada, while offering historical and cultural context. There is a brief introduction by Sir Ian McKellen, recorded for a BFI screening in 2016. It shows McKellen praising Kurosawa’s adaptation for its cultural transposition and visual power. It’s a concise, enthusiastic endorsement from a Shakespearean icon, though its brevity limits its depth. There is also a 7-minute introduction by Mamoun Hassan. The late writer-director-producer delivers a compelling introduction, discussing Kurosawa’s fusion of Shakespeare and Japanese aesthetics. Hassan highlights the film’s Noh influences and its universal themes, making this a valuable primer for new viewers. Included is the 2002 documentary, Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create, the Throne of Blood entry part of a Toho series. It is a highlight, featuring interviews with Kurosawa, production designer Yoshiro Muraki, Noh performer Mitsuhiro Honda, and actress Isuzu Yamada. It delves into the film’s production from Kurosawa’s meticulous planning to the integration of Noh techniques, offering invaluable behind-the-scenes insights. The inclusion of Yamada’s perspective is particularly poignant, given her iconic role as Asaji. There are also two scenes running a 1/4-hour from a 1945 stage production of Macbeth, featuring Wilfred Lawson and Cathleen Nesbitt that provide a fascinating comparison to Kurosawa’s adaptation. While not directly tied to the film, these excerpts underscore the play’s enduring themes and offer a historical glimpse into Shakespearean performance. Lastly is an original trailer, and the package has an illustrated booklet (first pressing only) that includes essays by Alex Barrett (on the film’s artistry), Ben Nicholson (on Kurosawa’s Shakespeare adaptations), a 1964 piece by Kurosawa himself, and a vintage review.

Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood is a cinematic masterpiece that transposes William Shakespeare’s Macbeth into the cultural and historical context of feudal Japan. Released in 1957, the film is not a mere adaptation but a profound reinterpretation that distills the essence of Shakespeare’s tragedy while infusing it with Japanese aesthetics, philosophical undertones, and Kurosawa’s distinctive directorial vision. The BFI’s 4K UHD release of Throne of Blood is a triumph, offering a technically superior presentation that elevates Kurosawa’s masterpiece to new heights. The video quality captures every nuance of the film’s high-contrast cinematography and intricate mise-en-scène. The absence of a Criterion 4K equivalent (as of May 2025) makes this the definitive home video edition. For Kurosawa enthusiasts, Shakespeare scholars, or cinephiles seeking a landmark restoration, this release is a must-own, proudly joining BFI’s stellar 4K catalog alongside Seven Samurai and Yojimbo/Sanjuro. It’s a fitting tribute to a film that seamlessly blends beauty, terror, and tragic power. Our highest recommendation.

Gary Tooze