Something is rotten in Japan in this engaging drama by acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa. Toshirô Mifune stars as Koichi Nishi, the secretary to the president of a housing corporation, who seeks revenge for his father's murder. At Koichi's marriage to Kieko (Kyôko Kagawa), the president's daughter, memories of the death are stirred, and soon corruption within the organization is exposed. Unknown to the officials, Koichi is the hidden force behind the mysterious happenings that begin to weigh on their consciences and ruin their lives. As the story moves toward its tragic conclusion, spectral figures lurk in the darkened streets while others plot and scheme within their shining corporate offices. Loosely based on Shakespeare's HAMLET, Kurosawa's film skillfully combines themes from the classic play with a stylish 1960s film noir mood.

A grieving son seeks revenge for his father's murder. Mind manipulation and danger reign, as Koichi Nishi (Toshirô Mifune) infiltrates the corrupt construction company that was responsible for his father's death.

Theatrical release: September 4, 1960.

THE BAD SLEEP WELL was the first film completed by Kurosawa Productions, the director's own production unit.

In referring to the film, director Akira Kurosawa commented that he "wanted to make a movie of some social significance."

Although THE BAD SLEEP WELL shares similarities with Shakespeare's HAMLET, the film is only vaguely derived from the play. Based on MACBETH and KING LEAR, respectively, THRONE OF BLOOD and RAN are Kurosawa's full-fledged Shakespeare adaptations.

Toshirô Mifune, Kyôko Kagawa, Takashi Shimura, and Susumu Fujita also appear in Kurosawa's similarly themed HIGH AND LOW.

Excerpt: "Oh, it's hard to hate evil. I have to hate and become hateful myself."--Koichi Nishi (Toshirô Mifune) to Itakura (Takeshi Kato) and Wada (Kamatari Fujiwara)

DVD Features:

Keep Case
Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono - Japanese
Subtitles - English - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Featurette: 36-minute Documentary on the Making of BAD SLEEP WELL
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Essay: New essays - Richard Combs, Michael Almereyda

Toshirô Mifune: Japanese Actor
Takeshi Kato: 
Masayuki Mori: Japanese Actor/"Ugetsu"

Akira Kurosawa: Japanese Director

"BAD feels stunningly topical, it has a cool title, and Mifune boils brightly..."
"This is a great movie, brimming with heart-pounding tension..."
"Kurosawa reworks HAMLET as a tale of corporate skullduggery in '60s Tokyo."
"Toshiro Mifune brings real edge to his role as the wronged son out to avenge his father..."