Depending on where you are, Ran shouldn't be that difficult to track down. In the States, most of the major video retailers (like Suncoast) have it available on DVD and VHS for at least order (and I've seen it on the shelves often enough). Of course, ordering it online would be the simplest method if such is available to you.

As for seeing it for free/relatively cheap, you'll have to be very vigilant to catch Japanese films on American television (and then, only on cable). It does happen, but so does getting hit by lightning. Your best bet in this case would probably be to see if there's some small theaters in your local area that specialize in art/foreign films and just keep tabs. More often than not they'll run either a Japanese festival or a Kurosawa festival.

Hopefully this helps you track down some elusive silver screen samurai....