Kagemusha

1980
PG
3h

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

39K

YOUR RATING

Home video trailer for the Criterion Collection release of this film about a thief recruited to impersonate a warlord

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Epic Historical Epic Period Drama Tragedy War Epic Drama History War

A petty thief with an utter resemblance to a samurai warlord is hired as the lord's double. When the warlord later dies the thief is forced to take up arms in his place.A petty thief with an utter resemblance to a samurai warlord is hired as the lord's double. When the warlord later dies the thief is forced to take up arms in his place.A petty thief with an utter resemblance to a samurai warlord is hired as the lord's double. When the warlord later dies the thief is forced to take up arms in his place.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

39K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 20 wins & 5 nominations total

Trivia
Much of the film recounts actual historical events, including Shingen's death and the two-year secret, and the climactic Battle of Nagashino in 1575. Those scenes are also modeled closely on detailed accounts of the battle.

Goofs
In the final battle there are at least 100 riflemen shown firing their matchlock rifles in volleys. The smoke generated by the matchlocks almost immediately dissipates. This indicates a more modern gunpowder was used in the matchlocks as the historically correct black powder load would blanket the battlefield with thick smoke after a handful of volleys.

Quotes
Nobukado Takeda:The shadow of a man can never stand up and walk on its own.

Alternate versions
In the original Japanese version, there are 20 minutes featuring Kenshin Uesugi. For some reason, these scenes were cut out of the USA version.

Connections
Featured inA.K.(1985)

User reviews132

Review

Featured review

10/10

A Great Mature Kurosawa Film

I am a fan of Kurosawa and have seen many of his films many times. There is a sweep and an ache to Kagemusha that is genuine and has remained in my heart's memory. Unlike Ran, it is not Shakespearean. Unlike Seven Samurai, my favorite all-time film and I believe the best film ever made, it is not a western.

Although epic, it is about a sweet and rueful soul swallowed by karma and history. It is redemptive without overt sentiment, and the lead performance by Tatsuya Nakadai is nuanced and unforgettable.

I will always remember this film, not for its complexity or savagery, but for the simplest moments between Lord and subject, between the highest self and the lowest self, and most particularly, the very real pain of a man caught in the vise of his own life and death.