‘Throne of Blood’

Along with Orson Welles’ three films, Akira Kurosawa’s very free 1957 adaptation of “Macbeth” is the most cinematically potent Shakespearean transcription ever. Kurosawa cross-pollinates the play with Noh staging and his own hell-for-leather samurai action. It’s an inspiring cultural hybrid. With Toshiro Mifune (pictured, as the murderously ambitious throne-seeker and blood-spiller), Isuzu Yamada (a virtuoso Lady Macbeth by a legendary screen actress), Minoru Chiaki and Takashi Shimura (Bravo Saturday at 2 p.m.).

Other four-star films airing this week:

Yojimbo / Bravo, Sunday, 2 p.m. and Monday, 8 a.m.

Rashomon / Bravo, Monday, 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, 8 a.m.

Anatomy of a Murder / Showtime, Friday, 7 a.m.

Hail the Conquering Hero / AMC, Friday, 9 a.m.

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek / AMC, Friday, 10:45 a.m.

The Lady Eve / AMC, Friday, 12:30 p.m.