"Spider's Nest" is not a 100% copy of "Macbeth"

Salma 2022-04-19 09:02:12

The first thing to say is that I admire Kurosawa for having the guts to re-enact a famous Western drama. Even more praise for his version not only successful, but more successful than the version of the vast majority of Westerners. In order to compare the gap between the film and Shakespeare's original, I deliberately re-read "Macbeth". Although the background of Akira Kurosawa's film is completely different, its plot and characters are absolutely loyal to the original. It is really commendable to be able to put Western cultural products in Japan, that is, to achieve a reasonable localization and maintain the original style.
"Spider Nest City" did not copy "Macbeth" 100%, but made appropriate adjustments in the plot. For example, the usurpation did not happen on the night of the meritorious service, but there was a buffer time to make Macbeth's ideological struggle more fully, and the plot of the city lord going out on patrol and besieging the North Pavilion was arranged, which increased the drama and local tension. The film also added clues such as the previous city lord's usurpation of power and the former North Pavilion lord's betrayal and execution, leaving bloodstains and other clues, which further strengthened the concept of "Samurai are all greedy for being the city lord". There is also Macbeth who was going to adopt Banke's son, but then the plot of Macbeth's wife's pregnancy and the final stillbirth happened, which added more conflict than the original, and was more reasonable and exciting. Granted, there are some plot changes that don't make sense. For example, Ban Ke's son went to seek refuge with the son of the original city lord, but he ignored the fact that Ban Ke rejected the son of the former city lord from the city. Moreover, the end of the film overemphasized Macbeth's death, and did not explain whether it was Ban Ke's son or the son of the original city lord who inherited the seat of the city lord, which is a bit regrettable.
The whole film is very tense. Although almost no background music was used as a foil, the desolate scenes on the screen, the empty room, the pervasive fog, and the wonderful performances of the actors were breathless. Personally, I think the atmosphere is even overemphasized in some clips. When the film begins to encounter the monster, the monster is given a long close-up shot, and then the two cannot find their way in the thick fog. For a full three minutes, there are only two people riding around on the screen, which is boring.
Many film critics praised the performances of Isuzu Yamada, who played Macbeth's wife, and Toshiro Mifune. I won't go into details

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Extended Reading
  • Jane 2022-04-20 09:01:48

    The rhythm is slow but not procrastination. Every frame of the picture shows the abyss of human desire. The unique Japanese musical instruments always sound at the right time, which makes the film fuller. The echoes of the beginning and the end deepen the theme.

  • Jasen 2022-04-23 07:02:32

    It was really classic in the film class, but it was also very boring to watch. zzZ.

Throne of Blood quotes

  • Taketori Washizu: I am terribly drunk...

  • Old Ghost Woman: [singing] Men are vain and death is long, And pride dies first within the grave, For hair and nails are growing still, When face and fame are gone, Nothing in this world will save, Or measure up man's actions here, Nor in the next - for there is none, This life must end in fear, Only evil may maintain, An afterlife for those who will, Who love this world - who have no son, To whom ambition calls, Even so - this false fame falls, Death will reign - man dies in vain.