X
- 1980
- PG
- Twentieth Century Fox
- 3 h
- 1980
- PG
- Twentieth Century Fox
- 3 h
Summary 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.
Directed By: Akira Kurosawa
Written By: Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa
- 1980
- PG
- Twentieth Century Fox
- 3 h
- 1980
- PG
- Twentieth Century Fox
- 3 h
Kagemusha
7.1
Summary 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.
Directed By: Akira Kurosawa
Written By: Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
84
93% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
7% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
84
93% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
7% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
It is filled with lavish battle scenes and sharply scripted intrigue, and is among Kurosawa's greatest triumphs. [17 Apr 2005]
Simple, bold, and colorful on the surface, but very thoughtful.
If Kagemusha falls short dramatically, and many admirers may not share that impression, the sag occurs at an awesome level of filmmaking prowess. Ironically, this tale of a shadow warrior is diminished only by the length and intensity of the artistic shadow thrown by Kurosawa in his prime. [21 Nov 1980, p.F1]
There is beauty in Kagemusha but it is impersonal, distant and ghostly. The old master has never been more rigorous. [06 Oct 1980, p.14]
The massive battle scenes rank with the director's best, using brilliant color, contrasting light, and the enormous cast to great advantage. Kurosawa also alternates compelling scenes of near hypnotic stillness with scenes of rousing action.
The film vibrates with a profound respect for historical veracity, the busy intersection between political sociology and psychology, and grunting, portentous masculinity.
For all Kurosawa's splendidly colourful recreation of 16th century Japan, and though Nakadai's performance is impressive enough, it's all ultimately rather empty and tedious; it could easily have been cut by almost an hour, while the grating Morricone-like score only serves to underline the fact that the director fails to achieve the emotional force of his finest work.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 User Ratings
7.1
78% Positive
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
4% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
17% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 User Ratings
7.1
78% Positive
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
4% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
17% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 2 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Mainichi Film Concours
• 6 Wins & 6 Nominations
