Review of Kagemusha (1980) by Jose P — 14 Mar 2008
Kagemusha exists because Kurosawa needed to make Ran, and he needed to make the cost of the costumes and props somewhat attractive to the studios. The studios wanted to make a few bucks, so they wanted Shintaro Katsu, one of the most popular TV and movie stars to play the title doube-bill.
This got the investment of Lucas and Coppola, but alas, it wasn't to be. Kurosawa fired Katsu the very first day, and hired his old reliable player Tatsuya Nakadai to the title role, and this is the film we have.
It's dark, brutal at times, a tragedy of missed opportunities, cloaked in the pageantry of Japanese history. Nakadai carries it off, but the bitterness of the fight, and the frustrations felt by Kurosawa pour out of the finished product.
Of note, the Criterion DVD finally gives us a look at Takashi Shimura's (of Ikiru & Seven Samurai fame) final performance. Well worth watching for it's own merit, but don't expect it to leave you all warm & fuzzy after.
This review of Kagemusha (1980) was written by Jose P on 14 Mar 2008.
Kagemusha has generally received very positive reviews.
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