Akira Kurosawa’s epic Ran celebrates its 40th anniversary this July with a special edition release on Blu-ray and 4K UHD, honouring the legendary filmmaker.

One of the most important and influential film makers in cinematic history, Akira Kurosawa directed 30 films in a career spanning 57 years. His final masterpiece, RAN a reimagining of Shakespeare’s King Lear set in feudal Japan, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

RAN tells the story of Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai – Yojimbo, Kagemusha) an aging warlord who, after spending his life consolidating his empire, decides to abdicate and divide his Kingdom amongst his three sons Taro (Akira Terao – Letter from the Mountain, Dreams), Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu – The Man in White, Red Shadow: Akakage) and Saburo (Daisuke Ryû – Tôno Monogatari, Gojo reisenki Gojoe). This leads to a brutal and bloody war between the brothers for absolute power of the kingdom.

Ran 40th Anniversary Edition contains:

• film on 4K UHD and BD
• 100 page booklet
• 2 posters
• orginal soundtrack CD

Bonus Disc:

• A.K. documentary
• Akira Kurosawa: The Epic and The Intimate
• Interview with director of photography Shoji Ueda
• The Art of the Samurai
• Interview with Michael Brooke
• Interview with Ms Mieko Harada
• Stage Appearance at Tokyo Film Festival 2015
• AKIRA KUROSAWA BY CATHERINE CADOU
• THE SAMURAI

Studio: StudioCanal

Run Time: 2 hours and 41 minutes

Number of Discs: 3

Release Date: July 21, 2025

Where to buy

4K Bluray Ran 40th Anniversary Edition

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£44.99

£47.06