Written by Jack Herbert

The Godfather of Japanese cinema

Japan's most famous ever film-maker, Akira Kurosawa made movies for over 50 years, right up to his death in 1998.

His best known films are feudal-era epics, most notably 'Rashomon', 'The Seven Samurai' (remade into 'The Magnificent Seven'), 'Ran' and 'Throne of Blood' (based on 'King Lear' and 'Macbeth' respectively).

In 1970, Kurosawa attempted suicide after he was replaced as director of 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' (a US/Japan co-production about Pearl Harbour) by Kinji Fukasaku.