Akira Kurosawa's brilliantly conceived re-telling of Shakespeare's King Lear magically mixes Japanese history, Shakespear's plot and Kurosawa's own feelings about loyalty in the epic masterpiece, RAN. Set in the 16th century Japan, an aging ruler, Lord Hidetora, announces his intention to divide his land equally among three sons. This decision to step down unleashes a power struggle between the three, when Hidetora falls prey to the false flattery bestowed upon him by the two older sons and banishes the youngest when he speaks the truth. The ruthless betrayal ultimately drives the Hidetora insane, destroying his entire family and kingdom.