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Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9786301661737 Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC ISBN: 6301661737 Label: 20th Century Fox Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: 20th Century Fox Release Date: May 19, 1993 Running Time: 162 minutes Sales Rank: 13102 Studio: 20th Century Fox Theatrical Release Date: October 06, 1980
Amazon.com essential video: The 1970s were difficult years for the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. Following the box-office failure of his 1970 film Dodes'ka-den and an unsuccessful suicide attempt, Kurosawa was unable to find financial backing in Japan, and he made his acclaimed 1975 film Dersu Uzala in Siberia with Russian financing. With only partial Japanese backing for his epic project Kagemusha, the 70-year-old master then found American support from George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, who served as coexecutive producers (through 20th Century Fox) for this magnificent 1980 production--to that date the most expensive film in Japanese history. Set in the late 16th century, Kagemusha centers on the Takeda clan, one of three warlord clans battling for control of Japan at the end of the feudal period. When Lord Shingen (Tatsuya Nakadai), head of the Takeda clan, is mortally wounded in battle and near death, he orders that his death be kept secret and that his "kagemusha"--or "shadow warrior"--take his place for a period of three years to prevent clan disruption and enemy takeover. The identical double is a petty thief (also played by Nakadai) spared from execution due to his uncanny resemblance to Lord Shingen--but his true identity cannot prevent the tides of fate from rising over the Takeda clan in a climactic scene of battlefield devastation. Through stunning visuals and meticulous attention to every physical and stylistic detail, Kurosawa made a film that restored his status as Japan's greatest filmmaker, and the success of Kagemusha enabled the director to make his 1985 masterpiece, Ran. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Good
Watching Akira Kurosawa's three hour long epic color film (his third) from 1980, Kagumusha (The Shadow Warrior) reminded me of the historical plays of William Shakespeare. While more famed for adapting the dramas of Shakespeare (Ran from King Lear, The Bad Sleep Well from Hamlet, The Hidden Fortress from Macbeth), Kurosawa's long film reminds me more of the detailed histories, where a single character is less important than the whole milieu (as well as being a more epic version of the old The Prince And The Pauper fable). And he succeeds very well at it. While the overall film is a bit too slow ... Read More
Rating: - The inclusion of Kurosawa as a painter!
If you are into Kurosawa's battle war films, you will enjoy the epic drama of Kagemusha (Kawgaymoosha). It is about illusion, deception, identity and tribal battle clans. I believe there have been lengthier versions of the original film. But it most certainly deserves a second viewing, as it can become confusing with doubles and flashback. The scenes are lengthy and long shots are used, making it difficult to closely identify the characters. The impressive costumes lend to the reality of the period.
Known as an epic drama, the film takes place in Japan during the 1500's. The ... Read More
Rating: - Some people Have Greatness Thrust Upon Them
Kagamusha is such a physically beautifully film, it's that much more of a shame that the narrative isn't more powerful. In only his third color feature, Kurosawa goes all the way in presenting scene after scene in beautiful vibrant colors that leap off the screen. The colored lighting is a bit artificial but is so effectively used, I couldn't help but nod and smile when I noticed it. While Kagamusha is not a masterpiece, it is always entertaining and occassionally profound and enthralling. A strong five star film.
The narrative tends to melodrama in the presentation of slow-motion ... Read More
Rating: - wonderfull
really, really good. great preformences with great effect. the dream sequence is really fantastic. theres alot of great acting and a perfect story. mabye its not as epic as 'Ran' in cast and size, but its so much more complex in the story and its visual aspects are very dark and brooding. definetely worth the buy!
Rating: - ...but picky videophiles may be slightly disappointed
Kagemusha is a great movie, and for my money it is more entertaining than Ran. Kurosawa was trying to be too artsy in the latter film, which always puts me off just a little. Kagemusha tells the story in a more straightforward fashion, the acting is less exaggerated, and I think it's just more fun. However, what prompted me to review it was the visual quality, which I found a bit below what I'd expect from Criterion.
I saw the original shortened version in the theater when it was first released in USA. That was so long ago, memory won't allow me to compare with this Criterion DVD. However, ... Read More
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