Review of Kagemusha (1980) by Keenan S — 29 Nov 2013

This has only been my second Akira Kurosawa film, but I must say, that I'm already extremely impressed after only seeing two films of his. A lot of times, when directors get older, their films begin to suffer, but this doesn't feel like any part of the director's magic has vanished, even though he was 70 when this was made.

It still tells a very compelling story about a man who becomes a double for a deceased clan leader and his struggles to retain his cover. Though it's a very simple plot on paper, the film turns that plot into a magnificent epic that really fleshes out all the little details including the lives of the warlords out to destroy the clan.

Kagemusha is a phenomenal drama and war epic from the master of Japanese cinema and it makes me eager to see his other offerings.