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Kagemusha
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Kagemusha

1980
Drama
War
2h 42m
When a powerful warlord in medieval Japan dies, a poor thief recruited to impersonate him finds difficulty living up to his role and clashes with the spirit of the warlord during turbulent times.
Directed by:
Akira Kurosawa Akira Kurosawa
Written by:
Akira Kurosawa Akira Kurosawa Masato Ide
+1 more
Starring:
Kaori Momoi Kaori Momoi Takashi Shimura Takashi Shimura Tatsuya Nakadai Tatsuya Nakadai Jinpachi Nezu Jinpachi Nezu Daisuke Ryû Daisuke Ryû Masayuki Yui Mitsuko Baishô Mitsuko Baishô Tsutomu Yamazaki Tsutomu Yamazaki Ken\ Ken'ichi Hagiwara Hideji Ôtaki Hideji Ôtaki Kamatari Fujiwara Kamatari Fujiwara Takayuki Shiho
More
Genres:
Drama, War
AKA:
Shadow Warrior, The
Country:
Japan
Language:
Japanese
imdb More information at IMDb
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Kagemusha

1980
Drama
War
2h 42m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 70.55% from 1296 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1296)
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mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 30 Nov 2010
89
88th
While the questions the story raises about popular image, persona and war politics are nothing to scoff at, what truly carries the film and adds weight to the story are Nakadai's arresting (dual?) performance and Kurosawa's visual obsession with color and the still frame. With the leisurely pacing, this creates a strange, poetic melancholy that led my mind to drift to a bit of American poetry: you don't have to move that mountain. Just help me, lord, to climb it.
Rated 30 Nov 2010
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 12 Apr 2008
83
72nd
Kurosawa's use of colour is quite striking and the film is beautifully shot giving the whole thing an epic feel. The problem is the story isn't quite as epic as it pretends to be. Not that the film isn't good, in fact it's very good, but it's way too leisurely with the pacing and the content of the film is interesting but not as rich as Kurosawa's best work. It does have some great scenes and the ending is very well executed.
Rated 12 Apr 2008
hawkinsHawkins
Rated 20 Jul 2016
80
69th
The Emperor is wearing a lot of clothes. This is kind of like Weekend at Bernies only instead of throwing a party they overthrow the capital and it takes three years.
Rated 20 Jul 2016
djfntstquedjfntstque
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
66th
Even if it's a dress rehearsal for RAN, this is still a Kurosawa film and, as such, is well worth 3 hours of your time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
evranaevrana
Rated 14 Jul 2013
81
75th
If you do a movie in color, you should make it colorful is a wonderful attitude. Also the premise of the story, how you can become somebody else, is fascinating and the dream scene is one of the best scenes ever. This should be watched as a part of a trilogy of Bergman's Persona and Lynch's Mulholland Drive; then most probably you would start to question your own personality.
Rated 14 Jul 2013
cat9mancat9man
Rated 23 Mar 2012
85
73rd
Why do bosses avoid their employees? Film demonstates that the public follows an image of leadership - not the man. As soon as it is discovered that the Lord is an imposter his credibility is damaged and he loses his ability to keep the military spirit of the clan focused on its historical objectives.
Rated 23 Mar 2012
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 26 Sep 2008
3
38th
Always frankly been sympathetic to the argument that this was a warmup for Ran. I owe it another look, but who knows when that'll ever happen.
Rated 26 Sep 2008
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
45th
Suffers from the same problem that most of Kurosawa's color films have... it's kinda dull. Shots and scenes drag on and on just for the sake of making the movie more epic-length. This did not need to be a three-hour movie. The color scheme is sometimes striking, and other times quite unpleasant and busy. Otherwise the film is brilliant, from a technical standpoint. The plot is engaging (when it's not being pointlessly slowed down) but occasionally confusing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
whatismynamewhatismyname
Rated 28 May 2009
65
63rd
The scenery and usage of color was vibrant, the story, at times, really shined, but not nearly the same level as other Akira Kurosawa films. Shingen Takeda and Nobukado Takeda look so much alike, I spent the first 30 minutes really confused. The battles left much to be desired, not showing actual combat was a disappointment. The biggest fault the film has is its simply too long.
Rated 28 May 2009
ribcageribcage
Rated 02 Oct 2015
90
92nd
So much detail so much subtlety it felt as deep as reading a novel. The large theatrical acting works wonderfully with the stunningly beautiful cinematography. Kurosawa proves he's not just a master of framing a shot but also a master of every color put into that shot. Simply incredible and lingering
Rated 02 Oct 2015
icarusIcarus
Rated 22 Oct 2007
85
79th
I most appreciate this for the visual scope, the colorful palette, and Kurosawa's patience to let scenes develop. The film is a meditation on how one's identity connects to the tradition or the ancestors. The greatest tragedy here lies in the double's unappreciated adoption of the king's identity, in contrast to the rightful heir's desire for individuality.
Rated 22 Oct 2007
atgizaAtGiza
Rated 17 Apr 2010
63
60th
Thinking back on it, it wasn't the greatest film experience, but there was some beauty to it. And it's flaws can be forgiven because Kurosawa later made Ran.
Rated 17 Apr 2010
jonnykungfujonnykungfu
Rated 08 Aug 2011
90
93rd
Slow, mostly quiet, and gorgeously photographed, this feels much closer to Greek tragedy or Shakespeare than Kurosawa's early fun samurai films. There is some amazing use of color and the mixing of mild surrealism with the complex historical storytelling makes for a rewarding and often amazing film.
Rated 08 Aug 2011
staryarabbistaryarabbi
Rated 30 Dec 2011
75
68th
The "shadow warrior" is a perfect example of Agamben's "homo sacer", a man who can not be sacrificed to Gods but whose homicide is exempt from punishment. That's why he is the best candidate to be the "Lord", his resemblance is just an excuse, because the "lord" is like a criminal outside the law but who determines the law. And a child can love him because he is a profane lord but a horse cannot pretend because it is outside the symbolic order of all too human creations. Interesting movie.
Rated 30 Dec 2011
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 04 May 2017
81
83rd
A great jidaigeki with sweeping scope and splashes of kabuki or kaidan stylistics. The layered and kinda Shakespearian story centres on social perceptions of personages heightened by war, politics & family drama. Despite the somewhat dragging plot Kurosawa's exploration of the visual dimensions of cinema is always interesting and Nakadai really shines in the complex dual role. Not as monumentally effective or well paced as Ran but as far as any kind of criticism goes that's a little unwarranted.
Rated 04 May 2017
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 25 Aug 2014
90
89th
I feel like I'm saying the same thing as everyone else, but yes, it compares unfavourably to Ran in several ways, and yes, when you don't compare it to Ran it's actually a really great movie in itself. The plot is fascinating, it's quite funny at times ("Our master has been ill. He must refrain from riding"), and it looks amazing (that shadow on the ceiling!). My only serious complaint would be the confusing battle sequences (I had no idea who was fighting whom or why most of the time).
Rated 25 Aug 2014
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 27 Jan 2014
74
33rd
Apart from the battle scenes, this long film features an awful lot of serious old men sitting around in rooms, occasionally talking at each other stiffly. Not exactly a scenario I can lose myself in. Feudal Japan seems like a damn boring place to be on this evidence. In the few scenes of comedy or action, it gets going a bit and shows the potential within its epic setting and story. Japanese politics is now one of my least favourite topics to read in subtitle form.
Rated 27 Jan 2014
rosenritterrosenritter
Rated 12 Jun 2020
7
67th
A languid and melancholy film about a warlord's retainers trying to uphold an ideal that has been hollowed out by the death of the man that embodied it. Not at all riveting like other Kurosawa epics. Has anti-narrative qualities like major events left offscreen (including battles) and a barely characterized cipher for a main character. There are attributes of a masterpiece here but no other Kurosawa film has taken me this much effort to appreciate. (Stephen Prince commentary track helped a lot)
Rated 12 Jun 2020
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 10 Aug 2010
90
85th
Holy cow. This is long, and it took me several sittings to get through, but it was worth it. Unique story, really intense, had me on the edge of my seat at times just with slow dialogue in a bare room. The movie is visually stunning and incredibly well written. By the end we're shown that yes, the Shogun was right. Somebody had to hold the state together, even if only symbolically.
Rated 10 Aug 2010
farzanFarzan
Rated 23 Jun 2014
86
84th
With vivid colors, brilliant costumes and setpieces; Kagemusha is a beautiful looking film that captures the imagination. Although not as spectacular as Kurosawa's subsequent film Ran, it is just as large in scope and scale. Nakadai's exceptional performance brings such majestic and emotional depth into the whole of the film. It really is an awe-inspiring performance. The duration of the film could have definitely been shorter, but from beginning to end, Kagemusha is an imposing piece of film.
Rated 23 Jun 2014
rojatumerojatume
Rated 03 Apr 2018
64
22nd
It has elements of greatness, but the story is ultimately not compelling enough to keep one interested for three hours.
Rated 03 Apr 2018
seryxaSeryxa
Rated 04 Dec 2009
75
82nd
Fascinating Japanese epic centring on stately ritual and court intrigue, with the occasional battle for spectacular action; one of the director's most impressive works.
Rated 04 Dec 2009
ferrferr
Rated 14 Aug 2007
99
99th
Inspiring Kurosawa period piece. Set in the 16th century Warring States era of Japan, it is a look at the speculated death of a shogun, and the troubles it caused. Said to be a dress rehersal for Ran, which would be like calling Mozart's requiem a prelude to allegro.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
arberwaticusArberwaticus
Rated 30 Apr 2018
89
50th
An epic film about the death of a great warlord which his clan survived only on his power. His body double is then recruited to pretend to be the warlord for 3 years to keep the clan from falling apart.
Rated 30 Apr 2018
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 13 Jul 2015
78
85th
From the opening shot, it's clear you're in for a visual treat. The filmmaking was wonderful in general. Unfortunately, I think it was a little longer than it needed to be and the ending felt somewhat unsatisfying.
Rated 13 Jul 2015
malcymMalcym
Rated 23 Apr 2018
7
77th
Not, in honesty, enough story to sustain the entirety of its three hours, but something of a visual masterpiece. Those colours...
Rated 23 Apr 2018
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 09 Feb 2007
6
99th
Too often overlooked for its successor, Ran, but I've always felt Kagemusha to be one of Kurosawa's great masterpieces. It operates on many levels of thematic nuance: a prince and pauper tale of class hierarchy and identity crises, parable of Cold War subterfuge, regarding personality cults and war politics. Carefully balanced between magnitude and intimacy, mounted with a chilly color palette and arranged in slow, lingering, reflective drifts. And it's almost entirely on Nakadai's shoulders.
Rated 09 Feb 2007
okidudeokidude
Rated 08 Sep 2010
3
51st
One of the few Kurosawa films where the lengthy scenes and symbolism tempers rather than sharpens the plot. Not recommended for the introductory Kurosawa fan.
Rated 08 Sep 2010
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
73rd
Great film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
skapskap
Rated 05 Oct 2019
70
37th
Kagemusha had no excuse for not being great, so I'm gonna be hard on it. The basic plot is elegant and promises a psychologically intense experience. Unfortunately, the realization is not up to it. Even the dramatically relevant scenes lack some backbone, and these are so diluted with irrelevant generic epic stuff you are hardly awake to really catch them. The Oda Nobunaga related historical references (as well as the acting) are distracting and annoyingly scholar.
Rated 05 Oct 2019
scribScrib
Rated 08 Jun 2022
90
94th
The scope is incredible, the score is gorgeous; Tatsuya Nakadai commands the screen throughout, with what is possibly his most understated performance that I’ve seen. Returning to it now, I can see beyond my initial impressions and into Kagemusha’s flaws. I do think they are minor though, and for me they simply keep a great film from achieving perfection; and really, it’s a testament to Kurosawa’s skill and legacy that even one of the least of his output is entirely unmissable.
Rated 08 Jun 2022
sellissellis
Rated 25 Jan 2022
83
68th
Awe-inspiring visuals, which is to be expected. However, I don't know how necessary the final half hour is? The main character's story is over by that point. An impressive set piece and haunting visuals follow, which are fine and all - but narratively-speaking, I'd argue it's unnecessary.
Rated 25 Jan 2022
kurgucu666kurgucu666
Rated 11 Oct 2007
95
82nd
a movie like a grat war poem.Kurosawa is genius.
Rated 11 Oct 2007
yesistastyyesistasty
Rated 11 Apr 2024
94
84th
Does anybody approach color the way Kurosawa did? Wish he made more color films
Rated 11 Apr 2024
hezarfenHezarfen
Rated 26 Jan 2011
50
23rd
It is ok, nothing special, Kurosawa has done much better but this one won the Palm d' Or.
Rated 26 Jan 2011
joojooJooJoo
Rated 08 May 2008
5
80th
Feels like a warm-up for the apocalyptic vision Kurosawa would deliver in Ran. That being said, it should not be overlooked.
Rated 08 May 2008
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 02 Dec 2008
90
95th
Nakadai is brilliant in two roles, and Kurosawa masterfully uses color to great effect in this epic samurai tale.
Rated 02 Dec 2008
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 27 Jul 2013
79
72nd
Some great drama in here, though it does run a bit too long. Tatsuya Nakadai is amazing.
Rated 27 Jul 2013
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 02 Mar 2008
74
58th
# 521
Rated 02 Mar 2008
teeceeteecee
Rated 18 Oct 2008
20
15th
Jeg keder mig....
Rated 18 Oct 2008
pierretheronPierreTheron
Rated 27 Feb 2010
90
69th
Kagemusha is criminally underrated, it's slower than it needs to be, and Kurosawa is much more at home with black-and-white than color, but Kagemusha is simply an excellent piece none-the-less. The classic story of a lower class individual assuming the guise of a king is excellently approached within Kagemusha, the story is engaging, the visuals are nearly always beautiful to see, and the ending is absolutely astounding. It can drag, but it deserves more attention than it has gotten.
Rated 27 Feb 2010
fantacbobFantacBob
Rated 12 Jun 2009
70
75th
In a long story, a thief has to impersonate a warlord in 16th C Japan.
Rated 12 Jun 2009
fethikavalfethikaval
Rated 27 Nov 2009
91
95th
Muhtesem bir Kurosawa filmi daha, The Seven Samurai ve Randan sonraki en çok begendigim filmi diyebilirim.
Rated 27 Nov 2009
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
73
46th
547
Rated 19 Dec 2008
djrossdjross
Rated 09 Feb 2020
55
53rd
Some very impressive staging and imagery, in particular the dream sequence, but the story, about guys doing some guy stuff, is lacking, the underlying themes have limited interest, and, regardless of the numbers of extras and horses hired, the aesthetic too often veers towards kitsch.
Rated 09 Feb 2020
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 25 Mar 2009
93
85th
The Shakespearean plot and the visual splendor makes this truly memorable.
Rated 25 Mar 2009
stainStain
Rated 01 Apr 2007
0
8th
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Rated 01 Apr 2007
aushabfanaus_hab_fan
Rated 12 Feb 2007
77
64th
More Samurai goodness, although it gets old after a while
Rated 12 Feb 2007
beautyblissBeautyBliss
Rated 06 Jan 2015
80
61st
Kurosawa is brilliant, and this film shows it. However, it's a bit outdated.
Rated 06 Jan 2015
picklemanPickle_Man
Rated 01 Jun 2018
100
94th
Epic in scope, but suprisingly slow - many scenes are simply static camera conversations between seated characters. Fortunately, the costumes and colors are fantastic to look at, so the film never drags.
Rated 01 Jun 2018
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 25 Jan 2012
80
75th
The costuming and set design are outstanding. I felt like I couldn't blink or I would miss something great. At the same time though, I wasn't really into the story, It all seemed rather pointless, but maybe that was the point?
Rated 25 Jan 2012
glm01glm01
Rated 02 Oct 2013
85
83rd
85.000
Rated 02 Oct 2013
tathieltathiel
Rated 02 Oct 2008
83
79th
Liked it.
Rated 02 Oct 2008
jeffhjeff_h
Rated 06 Dec 2007
2
6th
zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Rated 06 Dec 2007
frankhowleyFrankHowley
Rated 31 May 2011
80
80th
Gorgeous and strikingly similar to Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.
Rated 31 May 2011
paxtonPaxton
Rated 12 Feb 2012
70
65th
If Shakespeare was missing anything it was feuding Japanese clans.
Rated 12 Feb 2012
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 09 Mar 2010
94
93rd
https://letterboxd.com/ladyspiggott/film/kagemusha/
Rated 09 Mar 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 17 Oct 2010
30
78th
"Kagemusha, much like the similarly overblown but handsomely mounted Lawrence of Arabia, is an epic with a cipher in its point position." - Eric Henderson
Rated 17 Oct 2010
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 08 Nov 2008
92
87th
Simply Amazing
Rated 08 Nov 2008
grimsoothgrimsooth
Rated 27 Jun 2011
53
45th
This movie is most interesting for the depictions of mass land combat, it's implications in feudal japan, sets & costuming. The acting is quite good (with Japanese subtitles) and the story is somewhat interesting but either started the "Thief body double become king," movement in Hollywood or is a quality clone so you've probably seen many remakes. Still, if you're simply mad about Japanese regalia and warfare movies this is probably a must see.
Rated 27 Jun 2011
glmglm
Rated 18 Jan 2011
86
83rd
85.750
Rated 18 Jan 2011
jarmannJarmann
Rated 08 Nov 2007
87
88th
Grandiose masterpiece.
Rated 08 Nov 2007
doyler29doyler29
Rated 19 Jul 2023
100
96th
It's the stuff of powerful epics, and the film's grand visual style supports it. It's an astonishingly beautiful film with grand, elegant battles and unbelievably rich colours.
Rated 19 Jul 2023
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 30 Dec 2006
53
41st
Grandiose outwardly but kind of slight in essence, I feel Kagemusha is a bit overrated. Actually I feel that way about Kurosawa.
Rated 30 Dec 2006
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 15 Jan 2010
69
38th
615
Rated 15 Jan 2010
kevinjosephkevinjoseph
Rated 24 Mar 2011
72
79th
Gorgeous cinematography, but a good hour or so could have been taken out.
Rated 24 Mar 2011
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 20 Dec 2023
93
96th
Kurosawa just didn't miss, did he? This was the final film I watched in the TSPDT 1000 list as of 2023 and it was a great one to finish the list on. Epic in every sense of the word with a marvelous score, a tremendous plot, and interesting ideas about the importance of position, reputation, and legend over actual skill, among other things. Just incredible, and somehow still not quite as good as Ran.
Rated 20 Dec 2023
shewasSheWas
Rated 07 Oct 2011
5
4th
Couldn't make it through the first 5 minutes, and for that I can only blame myself.
Rated 07 Oct 2011
thereeldealthereeldeal
Rated 13 Apr 2014
85
91st
Almost as frustrating as it is good, because Kagemusha is close to being an all-time masterpiece that's brought down by the randomly weak writing. Not enough attention is paid to the main character's development, and many scenes are unimportant, dragged out, or both. If the latter flaw were traded for the former, this would be one of Kurosawa's best. As it stands, it's still close. Ropes you in to its own world and time.
Rated 13 Apr 2014
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
75
50th
#506
Rated 30 Nov 2011
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 13 Jul 2011
90
84th
While not quite the titanic feat that Ran would be, Kagemusha is nevertheless a lush and poignant entry in the fantastic Kurosawa canon.
Rated 13 Jul 2011
adurraAdurra
Rated 20 Nov 2009
85
91st
Grande Kurosawa
Rated 20 Nov 2009
attached_eonAttached Eon
Rated 29 Apr 2008
65
52nd
oddly paced and not up to snuff with Kurosawa's greatest work.
Rated 29 Apr 2008

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