An aging warlord decides to split his kingdom between his three sons, who will live in three separate castles. The two eldest sons are quite happy, but the youngest thinks his father has gone mad, and predicts that it won't be long until the two older brothers are fighting with each other.

Japanese dialogue with optional English subtitles; credits in Japanese, English, and French.

Based on "King Lear" by William Shakespeare.

Originally released as a Japanese motion picture in 1985.

Special features: Disc 1: audio commentary by film scholar Stephen Prince; an appreciation of the film by director Sidney Lumet; theatrical trailers; Disc 2: "A.K.", a 74-minute film by director Chris Marker; a 30-minute documentary on the making of 'Ran', part of the "Toho Masterworks" series "Akira Kurosawa: It is wonderful to create"; a 35-minute video piece reconstructing 'Ran' through Kurosawa's paintings and sketches, created as part of the series "Image: Kurosawa's continuity"; new video interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai; a 28-page booklet featuring film critic Michael Wilmington and interviews with Kurosawa and composer Toru Takemitsu.

Directors of photography, Takao Saito ; music, Toru Takemitsu ; DVD producer, Kim Hendrickson.

Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Mieko Harada, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Peter, Takeshi Nomura, Hisashi Ikawa, Masayuki Yui, Kenji Kodama, Toshiya Ito, Norio Matsui, Kazuo Kato, Takeshi Kato, Jun Tazaki, Hitoshi Ueki.

DVD; Dolby digital stereo.

Disc 1. The film

disc 2. The supplements.