THRONE OF BLOOD
Produced by KUROSAWA AKIRA, MOTOKI SOJIRO
Written by KUROSAWA AKIRA, HASHIMOTO SHINOBU,
KIKUSHIMA RYUZO and OGUNI HIDEO
Photographed by NAKAI ASAKAZU
Lighting by KISHIDA KUICHIRO
Art Direction by EZAKI KOHEI and MURAKI YOSHIRO
Sound Recording by YANOGUCHI FUMIO
Music by SATO MASARU
Production Supervisor NEZU HIROSHI
With
MIFUNE TOSHIRO YAMADA ISUZU
SHIMURA TAKASHI KUBO AKIRA
TACHIKAWA YOICHI CHIAKI MINORU
SASAKI TAKAMARU NANIWA CHIEKO
KIMURA ISAO MIYAGUCHI SEIJI
Directed by KUROSAWA AKIRA
Behold, within this place
Now desolated, stood
Once a mighty fortress
Lived a proud warrior
Murdered by ambition
His spirit walking still
Vain pride, then as now, will
Lead ambition to the kill
The North Castle has revolted.
The renegades at once set fire to Forts Four and Five.
And Fort Three?
It too was not prepared.
Fort Two?
Captain Yoshiaki Miki combined forces with Fort Three.
They are defending as best they can.
And Fort One?
Captain Taketoki Washizu,
after Forts Four and Five had fallen,
was surrounded by hundreds of rebels.
They were men of Lord Inui.
So it was he who instigated the revolt.
And Captain Washizu - is there any hope?
None.
Attend to him.
What to do?
Shall we attack or stand a siege?
We cannot leave the castle.
To attack now would be to lose. The enemy is winning.
But place our men in the forest...
It is a natural labyrinth,
and the enemy will lose themselves.
We will ambush and retreat.
There is no other way.
The supplies are barely enough for a three-month siege.
Sir!
A messenger from Fort Two!
Sir! I bring good news.
Captain Yoshiaki Miki has fought well. The enemy is halted.
And Captain Taketoki Washizu has broken Inui's siege
and come to Miki's aid.
Brave Washizu!
The enemy is fleeing,
and now we are the winners.
Sir! Captains Washizu and Miki have pushed the rebels back to the North Castle,
and now it is besieged.
Fujimaki begs to surrender. In apology he offers to shave his head.
His offer is not accepted.
Noriyasu!
Go to the North Castle.
Kill the traitor!
Make certain that Inui will not again invade.
Then tell Washizu and Miki to come here at once.
This weather - never have I seen the like of it.
Hurry! His Lordship awaits us.
This is where we stopped a moment ago.
Yes. Look at the hoofprints.
Are you certain this is His Lordship's forest?
I am.
Then the castle is not far away.
Yet, for hours we have been in the forest.
Yes. This is a real labyrinth.
Here the enemy would lose its way and would never find our castle.
So they would, but we know every trail.
An evil spirit - a spirit of the forest is holding us here.
I, with my spear, will break through.
And I, with my bow.
What is that?
Was there a hut here before?
No, not that I know of.
The evil spirit's, perhaps.
My horse has never been so frightened.
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
Who are you? Are you human - or a spirit?
You can sing - you must be able to speak.
Most honored Captain Washizu,
commander of the First Fort.
What? Do you know me?
Today you will become master of the North Castle.
Master of the castle?
And one day you will become the Lord of Forest Castle itself.
Enough! That is His Lordship's!
Are you angered by this prophecy?
Would you not want to be ruler of the forest?
The ruler of the forest is His Lordship.
You humans! Never will I comprehend you.
You are afraid of your desires - you try to hide them.
Wait!
Whatever this woman may be,
she would not risk your anger for nothing.
I will talk to her.
Can you see the future as plainly as I see you?
Honorable Captain Miki,
yours is the Second Fort.
Today you will command Fort One.
This very day? In command of Fort One?
And after that?
Your luck turns slowly,
but it lasts much longer than that of Captain Washizu.
What do you mean?
You have a son.
It is he who will become Lord of Forest Castle.
There is the castle.
And finally we have come out of the forest.
I am tired.
My armor has become heavy on me.
And so it should.
You have worn out three horses since yesterday.
Let us rest.
My only wish would be a long, quiet sleep.
I feel I am already sleeping and have had a frightening dream.
What that witch or spirit said,
that is what I dream of.
We dream of what we wish.
What warrior would not want to be lord of a mighty castle?
She said your son would rule Forest Castle.
Yes, but only after you.
And that first I would become master of the North Castle.
And I would take command of Fort One.
We are fortunate!
What were you going to say?
You spoke first.
Suppose...
I am given North Castle today, and you, Fort One...
In honor of those distinguished services rendered by Washizu...
he shall from today be master of North Castle.
Miki...
who fought no less bravely...
shall take immediate command of Fort One.
How peaceful!
Yes, peaceful and quiet.
North Castle is a paradise after life in the forest.
We are fortunate to serve him.
Our lord and lady must be very happy.
Have you decided, my lord?
It was only a nightmare...
caused by evil spirits. I will...
consider it no more!
To rule over Forest Castle! I cannot dream of such a...
Why not, my lord? It is not beyond your power.
What warrior would not want to be lord of a mighty castle?
No, I am satisfied with myself as I am.
I will rule this castle and remain loyal to His Lordship.
I would live in peace.
But there can be no peace.
If Miki were to tell His Lordship of what happened in the forest...
then here there would be no peace.
His Lordship would think of you as a traitor.
At once he would have men besiege our castle here.
You must choose between the two...
stay here and await your own destruction,
or kill His Lordship and make Forest Castle yours.
But that is high treason!
Do you forget
that he murdered his own master to become what he is now?
It was necessary- to save his own life.
His Lordship trusts me.
I would tear out my heart for him.
And does he know what lies in that heart?
In my heart?
There is nothing.
I know otherwise.
I have no such ambitions.
This may be so,
but would His Lordship believe it
after Miki had informed him of this interesting prophecy?
Miki would never speak of it. He is my best friend.
He is ambitious.
Children kill their parents for less.
This is a wicked world. To save yourself you often first must kill.
It is possible that Miki has already betrayed you.
I fear this.
Asaji! We must have faith in friends.
Sir, men from Forest Castle are coming from the hill at the rear.
They were hiding among the hills and woods surrounding the castle.
They are men from Forest Castle.
Their spears and banners are lowered and they are coming this way.
Lord Washizu of North Castle!
His Lordship is on his way here.
Sir, His Lordship is coming!
Men, come out!
Do not call your men,
and do not receive him in state.
His Lordship is on a hunting trip.
Permit me to congratulate your excellent hunting, sir.
The hunting is a pretense.
I wish to attack Inui and take him by surprise.
He must be punished.
I had wanted to attack after the rebellion, then decided to wait.
Now I am ready. This castle shall be my headquarters.
We will march our troops to the border and scatter the enemy.
This must be kept a secret, however.
I will reward you with honorable posts.
Let Washizu lead the attack and Miki hold my castle.
Asaji!
You could not now be so suspicious...
now that you see how he trusts me.
In doubting Miki you have shown yourself bewitched by this evil spirit.
Allow me to disagree.
His Lordship trusts me more than anyone else.
And that is why he has given me the honor of leading the attack.
Where arrows will find you not only from the front but from the rear.
His Lordship has thought well.
He has already taken this castle from you.
Miki is the keeper of Forest Castle.
Miki is his favorite. He must face no danger.
But you, my lord. You must not remain alive.
Miki will be watching from the tower.
He will enjoy watching you die without realizing the truth.
We work here, sir.
No one may approach His Lordship's chamber.
You may go no further.
We do not go to His Lordship's chamber, sir, but to the forbidden room.
Where the traitorous rebel leader killed himself.
We had washed the floor, yet the blood remained. So we closed the room.
Then why do you go there now?
We must open it so that our master may sleep there.
I understand. You may go.
I have fought in many battles and have seen blood...
yet this stain horrifies me.
Because this is the blood of a dog, the blood of a despised traitor.
He was a coward too.
Cried for mercy after his revolt was over.
The crows caw - an ill omen.
You say that I am suspicious.
Yet I believe firmly in that prophecy.
But open your eyes and look.
The stage is yours.
There would be no difficulty in your making this prophecy true.
Have you no eyes?
His Lordship has placed himself in your hands.
Now is your chance. It will never come again.
But... this would be an act of highest treason.
And afterwards, what then?
His Lordship trusts you, you say.
But the guards are Noriyasu's men, and this is all the better.
I will give the guards drugged wine,
and when they fall asleep, you will kill him.
The blame will be placed upon Noriyasu and his men.
Listen, even the crow is saying:
The throne is yours.
That is what it says.
Without ambition, man is not a man.
And after this, Forest Castle,
then you may well hope to rule the entire country.
The room is ready, my lady.
Tell me, what are the guards doing now?
Keeping watch, my lady, with their spears ready.
Admirable.
I will take them some wine.
Murder!
His Lordship has been slain!
Traitor!
Let me go, Noriyasu.
Calm yourself. We must return to the castle at once.
Washizu is the traitor.
I must avenge my father.
Master Kunimaru! Washizu could kill us all.
Never mind the others. Find Noriyasu. He is the traitor.
Where is Noriyasu?
He has escaped, sir.
He has fled with Master Kunimaru.
Where did they go? To the castle?
I understand! Miki is guarding the castle!
They must not reach the castle!
Listen to us, Miki!
On his way to attack Inui,
His Lordship was killed by the treacherous Washizu.
Master Kunimaru and myself have barely escaped in coming here.
Please open the gate!
Please, Miki. They are close behind us.
Open the gate!
We must catch them.
Wait!
Wait, I say!
We must discover Miki's intentions.
He might well attempt to keep the castle for himself.
If so, we must first dispose of him.
A message from Lady Asaji.
She says: If Miki will not open the gate,
His Lordship's corpse will open it.
Open the gate!
His Lordship has returned.
This is Washizu. I am here with His Lordship's coffin.
How is Her Ladyship?
She killed herself.
She did not want to live to see an enemy take the castle.
That spirit in the forest did indeed see the future clearly.
Now that His Lordship is dead, Inui will very probably attack.
Only the strongest can protect this castle.
I will say this at council and recommend you as the successor.
We will speak of this later.
Where is the North Castle?
There, beside the hill.
It looks so small down there.
We have climbed high with Lord Washizu.
Our luck would be complete if only he had an heir.
Are you still of the same mind?
Do you insist upon giving this castle to Miki's son?
Without his father's recommendations, this castle would not now be mine.
I owe everything to Miki and his friendship.
I must pay my debts.
You need not, my lord.
Friendship did not enter into Miki's recommendation.
You know that very well.
Enough!
Miki is a brave man. And he is also a wise one.
He is both worst enemy and best friend.
By making his son my heir,
I make certain his eternal loyalty.
I will announce my decision at the banquet.
Be kind to Miki and his son tonight.
I did not stain my hands with blood
to forward Yoshiteru, Miki's son.
My reign ends with me.
Miki's son then rules.
That is what the spirit said. There is no changing it.
I will change it.
How? We have no heir.
Must we adopt someone?
I am with child.
Your horse has never before been like this.
He will not let us saddle him.
This is an evil omen. Let us stay here, Father.
We are guests of honor. We must go.
Father...
as I have said, I much appreciate your thinking of me, but...
Are you complaining?
I am not.
Only I cannot believe this...
this prophecy.
You cannot?
I heard it with my own ears.
For Washizu it has all come true.
Why not for us?
You speak thus because you are bewitched.
Believing some poor forest hag and acting on her words,
then thinking they have come true.
This is lunacy.
Then disbelieve if you must.
It is no lunacy to believe that Washizu will make you his heir.
Think...
Forest Castle could be yours...
without a drop of blood being shed.
That possessed horse! I could not go to the castle because of him.
And so you missed the free wine.
Our master's horse!
What could be keeping Miki?
Our lord too is wondering. It is not like Miki to be late.
All of you wicked, listen while
I tell of a man, vain
Guileful, vile
Who though ambitious, insolent
Could not escape his punishment
Stop the dance!
It is Miki!
How dare you!
Go away!
Calm yourself.
He has had too much wine.
Sometimes when he has drunk too much, he acts like this.
I think His Lordship's death still hangs heavy on his mind.
I am drunk.
What is the matter?
Why do you not celebrate?
Go on! Drink!
Captain Miki is very late.
It is said that enemy spies are in our province.
I am worried.
He is here again.
You who hate me, why not draw your sword?
Pay no attention.
He will become himself when he is sober.
This happy occasion is spoiled.
Please accept my apologies.
Go!
Admirable, my lord!
You who would rule the entire nation
allow a ghost to frighten you.
I have brought Miki's head.
Leave me.
You may go.
My lord!
There is something more you must know.
What about his son?
I wounded him...
but he escaped.
My apologies, sir.
What a wind!
The whole castle is shaking.
And no wonder.
The foundations have long been rotting.
Many captains and generals used to come to pay homage to our lord,
but no more.
The further away from him, the safer.
Already his suspicions have forced two commanders to kill themselves.
Miki is said to have been killed by Inui's men. Who knows?
It is rumored that Yoshiteru, Miki's son, is staying with Inui.
And he would not be if Inui killed his father.
Both Noriyasu and Master Kunimaru are also said to be staying there.
What will come of it?
I cannot believe that this castle is as strong as it was.
I heard something, too.
The rats have begun to leave.
It is said that rats leave the house just before it burns.
How is she?
Is she all right?
Tell me!
Say something!
I... I do not know what to say, sir.
The child was stillborn.
It had been dead within her.
The lady, my lord, is near death.
Fool!
A messenger from Fort One, sir.
Inui's men have crossed the border and surrounded the fort.
Noriyasu is the leader. He says he will avenge the late lord.
Fort Two is also besieged.
Miki's son is attacking.
Forts One and Two have turned against us...
have joined forces to attack Fort Three.
Cowards!
In council for two hours, yet no one has a useable plan.
I will ask no more, nor waste more time with you.
Get my horse!
Come out!
Evil spirit!
Come out, evil spirit!
Honorable master of Forest Castle.
Is it true that Miki's son will succeed to the castle?
So, you have reached your goal.
I congratulate you.
Answer me!
Come! Tell my future if you can!
Rest assured, my lord.
You will never lose a single battle...
unless the very forest begins to move...
and approaches the castle.
How can a forest move?
Impossible!
Then I will never lose a single battle!
If you choose ambition, lord...
then choose it honestly, with cruelty.
I will kill them all... Noriyasu, Kunimaru, and Miki's son, too!
If you would make a mountain of the dead,
pile it so it reaches the sky.
I build anew atop these skeletons.
If you would shed blood, then let it run as a river.
I will! I will paint the entire forest!
You, Noriyasu!
Join Inui if you will, and let others join you.
Let all my forts turn against me.
Let even your thousands attack my castle!
Listen, men.
This forest is a natural labyrinth.
If you follow the trails.
Avoid them.
Once within the forest, go straight ahead. Do not let the trails deceive you.
Our men have abandoned the forest?
You fool!
You let your men yield our best defense without shooting a single arrow?
The enemy is lead by Noriyasu. He knows the forest well.
There is no need for alarm.
Listen, men!
The victory belongs to those who win the final battle.
Courage, men!
Trust me.
I will not, cannot, lose a single battle.
If you do not believe me, I will tell you.
It was when I was in command of Fort One.
On my way here, having crushed both revolt and Inui,
I met a woman in the forest.
She told me
I would be the master of North Castle
and then this one.
Here I am.
Her prophecy has proved true in every detail.
Today...
I went again to the forest.
I commanded her to tell me my future.
Whatever may happen,
I will not lose a single battle.
The woman said
that unless this forest begins to move, comes to this castle,
I shall not be defeated.
Men, do you think this forest would ever move?
If you trust me, raise your weapons!
I can see nothing at all.
They have not made even a fire. What are they doing?
Listen! What is that?
Perhaps they are making fences, expecting us to attack first.
Noriyasu may be wise,
but he cannot defeat the man who planned this castle.
They cannot see us here inside,
while we can see them all.
Wait until they come closer, then let them learn the taste of our arrows.
An evil omen!
What cowardly remark is that?
A fortunate omen.
It means the enemy is trapped.
My lady!
Will it never be gone?
The blood.
I wash and wash,
yet the blood remains...
and the smell!
Will my hands never again be clean?
Asaji!
There is still blood.
My hands. Why do they not become clean?
I wash...
and wash...
still they smell of blood.
Fools!
This is no time to run.
Sir! The forest! Look at the forest!
The forest has begun to move toward us!
It is impossible! How can a forest move?
What are you doing? Do not leave your posts!
Go back to your posts!
Cowards!
You who would give my head to the enemy, and then beg to surrender.
Traitors! Dogs! This is high treason!
Who killed His Lordship?
They can see us from the castle.
Use the supply carts.
Push them before you.
Use the trees, branches, anything. Do not let them see you.
Behold, within this now desolated place
There once stood a mighty fortress
There once lived a proud warrior
Who was murdered by ambition
Still his spirit walks His fame is known
For what once was, so now still is true
Murderous ambition will pursue
Beyond the grave to give its due
THE END