Ran is a 1985 Japanese-French epic historical drama film directed, edited and co-written by Akira Kurosawa. It is based on the Japanese legend of the Great Lord Hidetora Ichimonji and his three sons, and draws heavily from Shakespeare's King Lear. The film stars Tatsuya Nakadai as Hidetora, and features an ensemble cast including Mieko Harada, Hisashi Igawa, Daisuke Ryu, and Jinpachi Nezu. RAN was Kurosawa's last epic, and has often been cited as one of the greatest films ever made.