Review of Kagemusha (1980) by Kkl10 A — 10 Apr 2014

Kagemusha (1980) - 7,5.

In the Sengoku period of Japan, Takeda Shingen, notable warlord and leader of the Takeda clan, is fatally injured in the battlefield, dying a few days later. Just before his death, the leader reunites with the hard core of the clan and whims that the news of the tragedy remain in secrecy from everything and everyone, even from all other soldiers and employees of his clan, for at least 3 years. They resort to a double of Shingen, a thief, to forge the illusion that the leader is still among them. To impersonate the great warrior is the mission at hand for the thief, a man spared from crucifixion and whose real identity is never known. With such honorable burden as the sole purpose of his life the thief will be carried away by the role and, eventually, share the same tragic fate as the great leader himself, even when it is not required from him anymore. He becomes the shadow of the warrior.

Fine work from actor Tatsuya Nakadai in this heartbreaking film where Akira Kurosawa casts a sensitive look at the interplay of impersonation, identity, status and loyalty. Sober and clean cinematic style with fits of grandiosity in the battle scenes following the trend of the late 70s and 80s to impart an epic tone to warfare. This latter aspect is, ultimately, the source of my problem with this movie - it was all going well until the last 20 minutes or so, where the massacre in the battle of Nagashino drags way too much... what for, I ask? I suppose Kurosawa was trying to convey a tangible sense of epicness here, but he ought to know when enough is enough. It harmed the pace of the movie and distracted me very much, some significant editing work would do wonders, in my opinion. It just didn't seem like a wise effort at all, oh well, I guess the Japanese director was rehearsing for what he would do latter in "Ran". I also wish the soundtrack had less Western influenced Classical music and more proper Japanese, it would be more fitting I think. If not for this my overall experience would be much better, but "Kagemusha" is still a beautiful film worth to see, it has moments of great emotional power, nice humour and some scenes are simply perfect and cast great enchantment on us. This is also a must watch for those who crave for Japanese Classical theater, particularly the Noh (aka Nôgaku) form, I can't get enough of it, love it! Recommended!