Ran

Year: 1985

Runtime: 162 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Budget: $12M

ActionDramaWar

As the aging Lord Hidetora Ichimonji prepares to retire, he divides his realm among his three sons, Taro, Jiro, and Saburo. However, when Saburo challenges the established order, he is banished, triggering a devastating conflict for control of the land. The ensuing power struggle ignites a bloody war, testing the bonds of family and ultimately leading to a tragic and violent resolution as only one heir will survive.

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Timeline & Setting – Ran (1985)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ran (1985). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

Ichimonji clan lands, First Castle, Second Castle, Third Castle, feudal Japan

The story unfolds within the Ichimonji clan's domain, moving between its central First Castle and the surrounding fortresses as loyalties shift. The landscapes range from grand castle interiors to war-torn ruins, reflecting a society built on honor, vengeance, and strategic siege. It is a setting where lords command retinues and rivals circle like vultures, ready to seize power.

🏯 Castle politics ⚔️ War and betrayal 👑 Power struggles 🗺️ Feudal Japan

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:02

Main Characters – Ran (1985)

Meet the key characters of Ran (1985), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:02

Major Themes – Ran (1985)

Explore the central themes of Ran (1985), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:02

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Epic tragedies of hubris and downfall like Ran

Stories where ambition and pride lead to devastating, large-scale ruin.If you enjoyed the grand scale and tragic inevitability of Ran, explore more movies like it. These films feature powerful figures whose pride leads to devastating consequences, blending historical or epic settings with heavy emotional drama and bleak, thought-provoking conclusions.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a powerful individual or dynasty whose overconfidence or flawed decision triggers a catastrophic fall. The plot escalates logically from political intrigue to open conflict, ultimately resulting in the complete destruction of the protagonist's world. The focus is on the brutal consequences of power and the inability to escape one's fate.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core narrative structure of a great fall from power, a consistently bleak and somber tone, and an epic scope that makes the tragedy feel immense and consequential. The emotional journey is one of watching a meticulously built world crumble.

Bleak stories of familial betrayal like Ran

Stories where family bonds are shattered by ambition, leading to utter ruin.For viewers who appreciated the deep exploration of family treachery in Ran, this section collects similar movies about sibling rivalry and paternal legacy. These films are characterized by their heavy emotional weight, themes of loyalty tested to destruction, and narratives that find no redemption in betrayal.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a patriarch's decision about succession that ignites a latent conflict among heirs. Alliances form and shatter based on ambition rather than love, driving characters to madness and violence. The story unfolds with a sense of dreadful inevitability, showcasing how the pursuit of power systematically destroys every familial bond.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they prioritize the emotional devastation of familial betrayal above all else. They share a bleak worldview, a high level of dramatic intensity, and a focus on the psychological unraveling of characters as they turn on each other. The experience is one of witnessing a personal apocalypse.

Unlock the Full Story of Ran

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ran in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ran is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ran Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ran, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Ran Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ran with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ran Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Ran

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Ran: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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Discover movies like Ran that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.