Just the fact that, by the end of the film, our protagonist has become a better grandfather, father, leader, and man than the one he replaced - but it means nothing. Those three years come and go and no matter how competent he’s become - no matter how much he has grown and changed and how much he truly does love the people he leads - it’s all for nothing. He is cast aside like trash. Blood rules all and there was nothing he could do to fight that. This film wrecked me. I kept hoping for a happy ending but instead was unflinchingly shown the worst one. Made me cry a lot lol
It kinda broke me the same way too, he is a shadow looking for an image of a person who is slowly disappearing, and he felt like he dedicate his lifetime for a man he impersonates on, and such opportunity improved him to be a better person, but it became nothing to him in the end Hell he even failed to grab the banner for the last time on the sea, and he died in the same lake Shingen sunk in. Extremely poetic
I saw this film screened by a local film society as a small-town adolescent when it was first released. It would have been the first Kurosawa and probably also the first Japanese film I ever saw. Far from being bored, I was mesmerized by it as something way beyond my sheltered life and it sparked a lifelong love for Kurosawa and Japanese culture which has led me to your channel among other things.
Just watched this film and was blown away by the colors of the film. Kurosawa was a painter before he became a director and the film shows that with his mastery of using color to truly create portraits. There’s even Kurosawa paintings in the criterion Blu-Ray booklet on this film. I didn’t realize the faith based parts of the film so I’ll definitely have to rewatch it for those aspects. I just felt it didn’t go far enough. Like wasn’t executed as well as it could’ve. Subtle films are very hard for me so this definitely deserves a rewatch.
Shadow Warrior. Nice BB, thank you. Great movie. IMO the way the thief/double is discovered is dumb. If Shingen had a back scar why didn’t his brother make sure this was considered? Cut the thief with a matching scar. The final battle scene is freaking awesome. Thanks BB!!
I have always loved this film. I think that this is one of the most accessible Kurosawa's films, as it is relatively straight forward, and beautiful to watch.
Underated?...who are these people who underate a film such as this... it's a work of art... and nakadai's performance is outstanding especially considering how he has to play such a complex part... amazing film from a master director
Excellent samurai movie review on Kagemusha directed by critically acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. It’s truly an amazing samurai film from 1980.
I used to think this movie was a sort of self-reflective meditation on the art of acting. But recently screening it came to the conclusion this movie is pretty much only about human cruelty to horses. The last scene possibly the single most revolting and powerful scene ever put on film. "Shoot the horses", the awesome, gorgeous totally and completely innocent creatures that are enslaved by evil humans and sent to war. Jonathan Swift was totally and completely correct.
Kagemusha is an amazing movie. If you are interested in another movie about a kagemusha, there is Daisan no Kagemusha 第三の影武者 called "The Third Shadow" or "The Third Shadow Warrior" in the US directed by Inoue Umetsugu. And thank you so much for the plug/shout out. I am glad that my videos have helped you with Japanese history.
My favorite part of the movie was when the protagonist was commanding a battle as a general. It's the first time i saw a pre modern battle being shown in the general's POV and there was a lot of maneuvering involved, it wasn't just two sides charging it each other but there were tactics and responses issued by the general in every situation that is happening on the battlefield.
Great review of a gorgeous film. One thing though, Tsutomu Yamazaki played the role of Takeda Nobukado in the film so there's only two Tatsuya Nakadais in that opening scene which is still a great accomplishment for practical effects. Ironically the Takeda clan was also in the previous year's film GI SAMURAI which you previously reviewed here. If you haven't done so already I recommend checking out the film SAMURAI BANNERS from 1969. It starred Mifune as Yamamoto Kansuke, Shingen Takeda's main general and the possible architect of the Takeda Clan's rise to power. If RAN showed the clan's end, then SAMURAI BANNERS shows how the Clan came to power in the first place.
My favorite Kurosawa - and I love so many of his movies. But I think you misread it. It’s an anti war movie, and especially an indictment of Japanese militarism. The dead thief being washed down the river with the vain banners of the shattered Takeda army. Japanese viewers would know that this was the end of that powerful clan.
I'm seeing alot of people say this is their favorite too. I remember years ago it was disliked. From what I read it mostly has to do with the Takeda clan but I can also see what you are talking about.
Cool review! I love how Kagemusha plays with a stage set to illustrate the dream state. Visually it's up there with Kwaidan and The Mad Fox for me, mainly because of the switch between on location shooting and stage sets.
I think the red sunset at 9:23 was from putting some kind of physical filter on the lens, like how he did the rainbow in that other scene. Was so stunned by how pretty it looked, incredibly rich film
I suggest you miss the moral grandeur of main character. Much more evident than if he had been born and bred to it. All the cinematographic colours and sets serve to frame this.
This is one of my favourite samurai films ever and also one of my favourite films in general. Also I looked up who Nobunaga's page was supposed to be in the film: that's Mori Ranmaru. You're not far off at all by calling him his wakashu because ehhh yeah they had something "going on" probably in actuality.
Speaking of Shogun the TV series, have you done a review of it? It's a great mini-series that is more faithful to Japan history than most Japanese samurai movies.
Just the fact that, by the end of the film, our protagonist has become a better grandfather, father, leader, and man than the one he replaced - but it means nothing. Those three years come and go and no matter how competent he’s become - no matter how much he has grown and changed and how much he truly does love the people he leads - it’s all for nothing. He is cast aside like trash. Blood rules all and there was nothing he could do to fight that. This film wrecked me. I kept hoping for a happy ending but instead was unflinchingly shown the worst one. Made me cry a lot lol
It kinda broke me the same way too, he is a shadow looking for an image of a person who is slowly disappearing, and he felt like he dedicate his lifetime for a man he impersonates on, and such opportunity improved him to be a better person, but it became nothing to him in the end
Hell he even failed to grab the banner for the last time on the sea, and he died in the same lake Shingen sunk in.
Extremely poetic
I still think this film is better than Ran haha. Truly a masterpiece
I could see how some might. I like how it's more historical.
I saw this film screened by a local film society as a small-town adolescent when it was first released. It would have been the first Kurosawa and probably also the first Japanese film I ever saw. Far from being bored, I was mesmerized by it as something way beyond my sheltered life and it sparked a lifelong love for Kurosawa and Japanese culture which has led me to your channel among other things.
Just watched this film and was blown away by the colors of the film. Kurosawa was a painter before he became a director and the film shows that with his mastery of using color to truly create portraits. There’s even Kurosawa paintings in the criterion Blu-Ray booklet on this film. I didn’t realize the faith based parts of the film so I’ll definitely have to rewatch it for those aspects. I just felt it didn’t go far enough. Like wasn’t executed as well as it could’ve. Subtle films are very hard for me so this definitely deserves a rewatch.
Cinematography amazing, soundtrack amazing, story simple but well told, acting amazing. What's not to love.
Shadow Warrior. Nice BB, thank you. Great movie. IMO the way the thief/double is discovered is dumb. If Shingen had a back scar why didn’t his brother make sure this was considered? Cut the thief with a matching scar.
The final battle scene is freaking awesome. Thanks BB!!
I have always loved this film. I think that this is one of the most accessible Kurosawa's films, as it is relatively straight forward, and beautiful to watch.
Underated?...who are these people who underate a film such as this... it's a work of art... and nakadai's performance is outstanding especially considering how he has to play such a complex part... amazing film from a master director
I've watched this film recently and I was amazed. For me this is Kurosawa's best film.
This is one of my very favourite Kurosawa movies. It's massively underrated it seems to me. I love Nakadai in this
One of the greatest, most heartbreaking endings of any thing ever
The mountain has moved
Excellent samurai movie review on Kagemusha directed by critically acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. It’s truly an amazing samurai film from 1980.
I used to think this movie was a sort of self-reflective meditation on the art of acting. But recently screening it came to the conclusion this movie is pretty much only about human cruelty to horses. The last scene possibly the single most revolting and powerful scene ever put on film. "Shoot the horses", the awesome, gorgeous totally and completely innocent creatures that are enslaved by evil humans and sent to war. Jonathan Swift was totally and completely correct.
Kagemusha is an amazing movie. If you are interested in another movie about a kagemusha, there is Daisan no Kagemusha 第三の影武者 called "The Third Shadow" or "The Third Shadow Warrior" in the US directed by Inoue Umetsugu. And thank you so much for the plug/shout out. I am glad that my videos have helped you with Japanese history.
I'll have to watch that, i really like this story! And keep up the great work with your channel, I've learned a lot!
Vă salut ,sunt din România, un film foarte bun
Omg! Amazing review and your information and insight is mind blowing!!!!
Thank you!
My favorite part of the movie was when the protagonist was commanding a battle as a general. It's the first time i saw a pre modern battle being shown in the general's POV and there was a lot of maneuvering involved, it wasn't just two sides charging it each other but there were tactics and responses issued by the general in every situation that is happening on the battlefield.
Exceptional review. I wholeheartedly agree that anyone bored by this movie should not consider themselves fans of the genre
Great review of a gorgeous film. One thing though, Tsutomu Yamazaki played the role of Takeda Nobukado in the film so there's only two Tatsuya Nakadais in that opening scene which is still a great accomplishment for practical effects. Ironically the Takeda clan was also in the previous year's film GI SAMURAI which you previously reviewed here. If you haven't done so already I recommend checking out the film SAMURAI BANNERS from 1969. It starred Mifune as Yamamoto Kansuke, Shingen Takeda's main general and the possible architect of the Takeda Clan's rise to power. If RAN showed the clan's end, then SAMURAI BANNERS shows how the Clan came to power in the first place.
That fooled me haha it looks just like Nakadai. I'll have to check out Samurai Banners.
I love this Movie
My favorite Kurosawa - and I love so many of his movies. But I think you misread it. It’s an anti war movie, and especially an indictment of Japanese militarism. The dead thief being washed down the river with the vain banners of the shattered Takeda army. Japanese viewers would know that this was the end of that powerful clan.
I'm seeing alot of people say this is their favorite too. I remember years ago it was disliked.
From what I read it mostly has to do with the Takeda clan but I can also see what you are talking about.
Cool review! I love how Kagemusha plays with a stage set to illustrate the dream state. Visually it's up there with Kwaidan and The Mad Fox for me, mainly because of the switch between on location shooting and stage sets.
I watched this film for a Japanese history class in college.
Nakadai played two roles so that is Nakadai and Tsutomu Yamazaki in the opening sequence.
I think the red sunset at 9:23 was from putting some kind of physical filter on the lens, like how he did the rainbow in that other scene. Was so stunned by how pretty it looked, incredibly rich film
Great video!
I love this film
It's so good!
I suggest you miss the moral grandeur of main character. Much more evident than if he had been born and bred to it. All the cinematographic colours and sets serve to frame this.
This is one of my favourite samurai films ever and also one of my favourite films in general.
Also I looked up who Nobunaga's page was supposed to be in the film: that's Mori Ranmaru. You're not far off at all by calling him his wakashu because ehhh yeah they had something "going on" probably in actuality.
Haha
Speaking of Shogun the TV series, have you done a review of it? It's a great mini-series that is more faithful to Japan history than most Japanese samurai movies.
Funny you said that. I just started watching it yesterday. I'm surprised how good it is, I was not bored for a second!
And... A new series from FX is in the works, though the strike may have pushed that back a while.
@jtilton5 i at least like how it'll be starring Hiroyuki Sanada. Though I don't really have much hope anymore for modern adaptations.
Yo, how can I join the discord?
discord.gg/CR8Xsd55
Welcome aboard!
The problem with the film is it's colours. There are too many surrealistic images and colours.
How's that problematic?