Kagemusha Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 698

Average Rating: 3.1/4

# of Ratings: 72

Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1980

Language: Japanese

Genre: Drama, War

MPAA Rating: PG

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Actors: Tatsuya Nakadai, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kenichi Hagiwara, Jinpachi Nezu, Hideji Otaki, Daisuke Ryu

Plot: When a powerful warlord dies, it is up to a low-born thief, who looks exactly like the late lord, to take his place. With this power comes a great burden and the facade cannot hold up forever.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/17/2019

The iconic Kurosawa makes a 16th century war-pic with striking visuals and his classic filmmaking techniques.

Yojimbo - wrote on 09/17/2012

Although I am a big Kurasawa fan, I found this one a little slow-moving and confused. There is still much to enjoy in the lavish battle sequences and artful direction though.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 12/09/2011

This later Kurosawa film relies more on grave acting and themes than on the tongue-in-cheek humor the director displays in some of his earlier Samurai films. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous and the story, though starting off somewhat mundane, builds into something touching and significant.

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Kagemusha review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/02/2013

It is difficult to find a director of this magnitude who encompasses slight humor (not much here though), action, drama, spectacular direction and humanistic thought processes about life. "The shadow of a man can never desert that man." This the line that would start the movie's plot, and would have an immense effect of an entire clan. Slow build-up for good character development but the powerful tragic conclusion was worth the journey. The era is 1573. Rumors circulate that Lord Shingen was assassinated. Nobukado aids the thief in impersonating his brother. Elegantly scored and meticulously directed from the details of the sunset, colorful psychedelic dream sequence and number of men in the armies. Cinematography was like a huge canvass and costumes just majestic to look at. …