When you have a collaboration between Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune you know you are in for a wide-eyed visual treat, but throw in Shakespeare, and well, you have a timeless motion picture for the ages. This is perhaps the most stunning adaptation of Macbeth ever committed to the screen, taking it out of medieval Scotland and transplanting it into feudal Japan with a seamless translation proving the themes of this play are universal. If you love the story of Macbeth, you will be thoroughly engrossed in this adaptation, although, be warned, there are several changes that might leave some stuffy scholars and obsessive/compulsive purists pulling out their hair.

Do you have a deep seeded fear of Shakespeare? Never heard of the play Macbeth? No worries, this is also a terrific Samurai film complete with lots of violent sword play and gloriously choreographed battles. Toshiro Mifune gives you his all in his role, but Isuzu Yamada also delivers a standout performance as his conniving wife.

In short, whether you are a student Shakespeare, a film student, or just enjoy a good samurai movie, you will not be disappointed in investing your time in this classic.