Ran
Only a few years after the all-out guerrilla war in First Blood (1982), John Rambo's former commanding officer, Colonel Sam Trautman, pulls him out of jail, only to send him back to a place he swore never to return: the impenetrable jungles of Vietnam. Entrusted with the dangerous task of collecting evidence that American POWs are still being held captive, Rambo agrees to infiltrate the unknown zone, and before long, he finds himself double-crossed, marooned behind the enemy lines. Once, John fought for his country. Now, the government has left him for dead in a Soviet-infested land. Can Rambo fulfil his suicide mission? Will he deliver his lethal justice?
Despite a moderate budget of $44.0M, Ran became a runaway success, earning $300.4M worldwide—a remarkable 583% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 5 wins & 7 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Ran (1985) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Akira Kurosawa's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.2, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lord Hidetora Ichimonji, the 70-year-old Great Lord, leads a boar hunt with his three sons and retainers, displaying his power and dominion over his kingdom. The hunt establishes Hidetora's world of feudal authority, military might, and patriarchal control.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Hidetora banishes his youngest son Saburo for speaking the truth about the foolishness of dividing the kingdom. This act of pride disrupts the natural order and sets the tragedy in motion, destroying the family bond that could have protected him.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Hidetora is expelled from Taro's castle after refusing to dismiss his retainers. He chooses to leave for Jiro's Second Castle, actively entering a world where he has no power, only to discover his sons have united against him. The old world is irreversibly gone., moving from reaction to action.
At 72 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Hidetora emerges from the burning Third Castle completely mad, walking through carnage as his world literally collapses around him. This false defeat marks his complete psychological destruction - he has lost everything: power, family, sanity. The stakes are now spiritual rather than political., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 108 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Just as Saburo reunites with Hidetora and the old lord briefly regains sanity recognizing his loyal son, Saburo is shot by a hidden sniper and dies in his father's arms. The whiff of death is literal - the one son who truly loved Hidetora is killed, destroying any hope of redemption., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 115 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. Jiro prepares for battle against the arriving forces of Saburo's allies, but the synthesis is one of annihilation rather than redemption. Lady Kaede's vengeance is complete - she has destroyed the Ichimonji clan from within before being killed herself by Jiro's retainer., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ran's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Ran against these established plot points, we can identify how Akira Kurosawa utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ran within the action genre.
Akira Kurosawa's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Akira Kurosawa films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.5, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Ran takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Akira Kurosawa filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Akira Kurosawa analyses, see Seven Samurai, Ikiru and High and Low.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Lord Hidetora Ichimonji, the 70-year-old Great Lord, leads a boar hunt with his three sons and retainers, displaying his power and dominion over his kingdom. The hunt establishes Hidetora's world of feudal authority, military might, and patriarchal control.
Theme
Tango warns Hidetora: "A lord who abandons his authority loses respect. Only chaos can come of this." This thematic statement forecasts the central question: what happens when power is relinquished without wisdom?
Worldbuilding
Establishes Hidetora's decision to divide his kingdom among his three sons (Taro, Jiro, and Saburo), the family dynamics, and the political landscape. Introduces key characters including Lady Kaede, Lady Sue, and loyal retainer Tango. Saburo speaks truth about his father's folly and is banished.
Disruption
Hidetora banishes his youngest son Saburo for speaking the truth about the foolishness of dividing the kingdom. This act of pride disrupts the natural order and sets the tragedy in motion, destroying the family bond that could have protected him.
Resistance
Hidetora attempts to maintain dignity while living under Taro's rule at the First Castle. Lady Kaede manipulates Taro against his father. Tensions escalate as Hidetora's authority is systematically stripped away. Tango and the fool Kyoami remain loyal, warning Hidetora of the growing danger.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hidetora is expelled from Taro's castle after refusing to dismiss his retainers. He chooses to leave for Jiro's Second Castle, actively entering a world where he has no power, only to discover his sons have united against him. The old world is irreversibly gone.
Mirror World
Hidetora is rejected by Jiro as well and flees to the Third Castle with his retainers. Here he confronts the ghost of his past: this castle belonged to Lady Sue's family, whom Hidetora destroyed. The mirror world reflects his sins back at him.
Premise
The premise of power's corruption unfolds as Hidetora experiences the full consequences of his past cruelty. The Third Castle siege becomes a hellish spectacle where his retainers are slaughtered and his concubines commit suicide. Hidetora descends into madness as his world burns.
Midpoint
Hidetora emerges from the burning Third Castle completely mad, walking through carnage as his world literally collapses around him. This false defeat marks his complete psychological destruction - he has lost everything: power, family, sanity. The stakes are now spiritual rather than political.
Opposition
Hidetora wanders the wilderness in madness while the kingdom tears itself apart. Taro is assassinated by Jiro's general. Lady Kaede manipulates Jiro into war and murder. Saburo returns from exile to save his father. The fool and Tango struggle to protect the mad lord as chaos intensifies.
Collapse
Just as Saburo reunites with Hidetora and the old lord briefly regains sanity recognizing his loyal son, Saburo is shot by a hidden sniper and dies in his father's arms. The whiff of death is literal - the one son who truly loved Hidetora is killed, destroying any hope of redemption.
Crisis
Hidetora dies of grief over Saburo's body. Tango and the remaining loyal followers process the complete annihilation of Hidetora's line. The emotional devastation is total - three sons dead, a kingdom in ruins, a dynasty ended by its own creator's sins.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jiro prepares for battle against the arriving forces of Saburo's allies, but the synthesis is one of annihilation rather than redemption. Lady Kaede's vengeance is complete - she has destroyed the Ichimonji clan from within before being killed herself by Jiro's retainer.
Synthesis
The finale shows the complete collapse of order. Jiro is killed in battle. Lady Kaede is beheaded. The castle becomes a charnel house. The fool survives to witness the apocalypse. The synthesis is the logical endpoint of chaos: total destruction.
Transformation
Tsurumaru, the blind brother of Lady Sue, stands alone at the edge of a cliff, dropping the scroll image of Buddha. He totters at the precipice as the sun sets - a haunting image of humanity abandoned by the gods in a world of chaos. The transformation is complete devastation.