This is a film version of the novel. "The 
ldiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, an author 
highly regarded by Kurosawa. His 
passion to remain faithful to the novel 
made the film so long that he was 
requested by company officials to 
shorten the film. Kurosawa responded 
with a now famous remark telling the 
company to physically cut the film not 
the story if they really desired it shortened.