Kagemusha

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Kagemusha

PG

Released Oct 6, 1980

2h 59m

History

Drama

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89%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

92%

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10,000+ Ratings

Akira Kurosawa's lauded feudal epic presents the tale of a petty thief (Tatsuya Nakadai) who is recruited to impersonate Shingen (also Nakadai), an aging warlord, in order to avoid attacks by competing clans. When Shingen dies, his generals reluctantly agree to have the impostor take over as the powerful ruler. He soon begins to appreciate life as Shingen, but his commitment to the role is tested when he must lead his troops into battle against the forces of a rival warlord.

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Critics Consensus

Epic in scope and awash with striking color, Kagemusha marks Akira Kurosawa's successful return to the samurai epic.

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Monumental.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 13, 2021

Full Review

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

"Kagemusha" is such a gratifying come-back picture for a justifiably revered filmmaker that one feels churlish harboring certain reservations.

May 7, 2017

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Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 5/5

Nov 18, 2011

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Panos Kotzathanasis

Asian Movie Pulse

From the symbolic opening to the haunting final battle, “Kagemusha” remains a triumph, a brushstroke on the canvas of cinema's finest.

Rated: 8.5

Mar 3, 2024

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Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

An epic tale of smoke and mirrors set in a period rife with political intrigue.

Mar 2, 2021

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Jesús Fernández Santos

El Pais (Spain)

Beyond the exquisite visual effects and battles, what is most interesting about the story is its protagonist: a double who turns into the shadow of the warrior Kagemusha. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 15, 2019

Full Review

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Rosana B

A palavra Kagemusha significa dublê ou sombra de um guerreiro, aqui temos uma obra japonesa prestigiada e premiada, mas ficcionalizada da morte de Takeda Shingen, em meio a fatos históricos, o que não me agradou muito, curto biografias, mas quase tudo aqui é criacionista. Assisti ao filme alternando e picado, o que o tornou mais longo ainda, e interminável, a criancinha, a netinha do farsante sem dúvida rouba as cenas, apenas ela me cativa… Uma excelente produção entediante e aborrecida.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/24/24

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Alan g

A great martial movie, grand in scope and acting but how did they get the dates and armor wrong. The movie takes place in 1574 but Shingen died in 1573. Also his armor is incorrect. Other than that is it a good movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

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Marcos S

Kagemusha stands as a crowning achievement in artistry by the hands of Akira Kurosawa—a sprawling, epic poem elevated by the enchanting and meticulously crafted score of Shin'ichirō Ikebe.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/03/24

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Leaburn O

One of my absolute favourite Kurosawa films. This samurai film actually has an interesting plot and the battle scenes are epic in scale.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/21/23

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carl h

I Love this movie. It is a Classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/23

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Stephen C

The greatest true story in 02 hours: and 59 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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Akira Kurosawa

Director

Tatsuya Nakadai

Shingen Takeda

Tsutomu Yamazaki

Nobukado Takeda

Kenichi Hagiwara

Katsuyori Takeda

Jinpachi Nezu

Sohachiro Tsuchiya

Hideji Ôtaki

Masakage Yamagata

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Synopsis

Akira Kurosawa's lauded feudal epic presents the tale of a petty thief (Tatsuya Nakadai) who is recruited to impersonate Shingen (also Nakadai), an aging warlord, in order to avoid attacks by competing clans. When Shingen dies, his generals reluctantly agree to have the impostor take over as the powerful ruler. He soon begins to appreciate life as Shingen, but his commitment to the role is tested when he must lead his troops into battle against the forces of a rival warlord.

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Producer: Akira Kurosawa
Screenwriter: Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 17, 2016
Runtime: 2h 59m
Sound Mix: Dolby
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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