The 1985 epic war film directed by Akira Kurosawa that is based on Shakespeare's King Lear is Ran.
Ran follows Hidetora Ichimonji, an aging warlord who decides to divide his realm among his three sons. His attempt to retire peacefully instead unleashes rivalry, betrayal, and civil war. The structure echoes King Lear: Hidetora corresponds to Lear, his sons reflect Lear's daughters, and the family conflict becomes a tragedy about pride, power, and the collapse of authority.
Kurosawa drew on Shakespeare but also incorporated Japanese history and legend. The film's premise was partly inspired by the story of Mōri Motonari, a sixteenth-century Japanese warlord associated with three loyal sons. Kurosawa transformed that source into a darker tale in which loyalty gives way to ambition and violence.
Ran is often confused with Throne of Blood, Kurosawa's earlier Shakespeare adaptation based on Macbeth. It is also distinct from Kagemusha, another Japanese historical epic about political power and military deception. Ran is especially known for its carefully composed battle scenes, bold color-coded costumes, and Toru Takemitsu's stark score. It was Kurosawa's third major film inspired by Shakespeare.