Review of Kagemusha (1980) by Kevin R — 14 Dec 2010
An amazing achievement. Turning his back on the modern approach to the samurai film, and returning to the stagey style. But of course this is not working backward when handled by a master, and this shows when a once obsolete style becomes modified yet again.
How does this work? maybe not at all to western audiences, as it can sometimes alienate those unused to its style. But for Japanese audiences it achieve something extremely important, whether they consciously realised it or not. For Kurosawa returns to the traditional aesthetic of Japanese storytelling to tell a traditional story. He then magnifies it to new epic heights to create a spectacle never seen before, yet to be improved on by his very next film. Unlike his samurai westerns, this is a true traditional samurai film that stands during a time when very little of them have survived.
Although I stick by my bold claim, even I do admit some parts try my patience a little too much. But I'm certain that it won Cairns for a reason, and I have just taken a stab of what that reason could be.
This review of Kagemusha (1980) was written by Kevin R on 14 Dec 2010.
Kagemusha has generally received very positive reviews.
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