Ran : Original music (2016)

"I believe the Kurosawa/Takemitsu collaboration achieved its zenith with this epic film. In scene after scene the synergy of cinematography, film narrative and music was superb and achieved a remarkable confluence. This timeless tale offers a story of supreme tragedy where the world is sundered and all our characters brought and ruin. Takemitsu correctly understood the needs for an authentic Japanese soundscape, and infused his score brilliantly with ethnic woodwinds and drums. His Motif of Doom perfectly captured the film’s emotional core – the tragic demise of House Ichimonji. I believe Takemitsu achieved a perfect blending of Oriental and Occidental sensibilities. I believe this score to be the finest of Takemitsu’s canon, one, which earns a place on my list of the 100 Greatest Scores of all Time." (MOVIE MUSIC UK)