This film is a version of Shakespeare’s King Lear set in feudal Japan. The elderly but still powerful warlord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to step aside and divide his territories between his three sons Taro (Akira Terao), Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu), and Saburo (Daisuke Ryu). Only Saburo, the youngest son, foresees the problems his father’s abdication will create, and advises him against it. For his honesty, he is banished from his father’s presence. Soon, the older brothers Taro and Jiro are fighting amongst themselves for complete power, betraying and abandoning their father, who descends into madness. Rival warlords join the battle for the Ichimonji lands, and all out war and devastation follows.