Kagemusha | Samurai Film Review 

Just realized I kept saying "Ieyasu Tokugawa" and not "Tokugawa Ieyasu". It doesn't really matter but still... oops lol

This is one of the most incredible movie I've seen and this deserved to have been nominated for an Oscar for "Best Cinematography".

Every Daisuke scene is a gem. Nobunaga's showed a skilled horseman by dismounting in a snap. A shot at the past when Nobunaga defeated Yoshimoto in a raid. How Nobunaga embraces western innovations and culture : guns, religion and wine. Nobunaga likes it and compares it to blood, taping the oni folklore, but Ieyasu doesn't, a glimpse at the Tokugawa shogunate blockade. Another with the poem, a shot in the future when he commits seppuku at Honnō-ji. Really a marvelous movie. - HR under gf's account

This is a GREAT movie! I’ve watched a lot of samurai movies and this one is top notch. If you don’t know anything about Japanese history you might get lost in the story. But as a Japanophile, I’ve studied so much, visited the country, have Japanese friends because I love the country, culture and history. Kudos to George Lucas, a cinematic genius and good guy.

Late comment, but anyways, this movie basically made me interested in the Sengoku Jidai and not to mention me being Takeda clan bias. Although Shingen never managed to conquer whole Japan like Nobunaga or Hideyoshi but he managed to put a mark in Sengoku period as one of the finest politician and Tactician. I think reason why Kurosawa omitted the actual battle scenes could be that he felt they were "irrelevant" since this movie is about the persons and not about glorification of war. Kurosawa has always been an anti war guy so I think he just want to get the message about the impact on warfare

I totally agree with you. I first watch it when I was about 14 and didn't really understand what was going on but then like 8 years on I rewatched it and really enjoyed it. Understanding the history behind it helped me enjoy it a lot more solid movie for sure. Great vid mate.

Yep, that's a reality if you don't know much about history behind the plot, you probably couldn't understand it. I faced same situation, I was a kid when I see it first and easily bored but years later after learning sengoku era I watched again and fall in love. It is an incredible movie and one of the best I've ever seen. Didn't know behind the scene stories, maybe I check it later. For movie it is perfect for me from start to end. How it starts with thief's rant about daimyos and their cruelty and how Shingen accepts being a scoundrel for admitting killing his son and banishing his father but for working country's benefit. That awesome troop parade scene and music during that scene. Another memorable and my favorite scene is how Kagemusha became Shingen during Takatenjin siege. How he orders not to move and gives aura of Shingen. I agree about Nobunaga's actor too (actually whole casting is amazing from Nobukado and Masakage to Tokugawa). Despite having short role he was so good portraying Nobunaga, my favorite scenes are his dance after he learned Shingen's death and his conversation with Tokugawa, even Ranmaru's actor is really good. How they laughed when Tokugawa drank wine was funny and humanizes Nobunaga. The movie has legitly funny moments too. Anyway good review, this movie has so much memorable scenes I can talk about whole day but thats enough for now.

I really like how this movie displays the scale of the court of a great lord such as a daimyo. The scale of it, the amount of generals, retainers, servants et cetera really makes you realise how powerful these people are. It also displays the size of the armies well, even though it is not concentrated on the battle scenes.

for me, this is what started a major thing in my life. i used to collect kung fu movies, and came across a copy of this film in the discount bin. i bought it having no knowledge of kurasawa, or japanese history at all. i was blown away. from there i was like a man on fire for 15 years. i learned everything i could about japanese history, and sold off all my kung fu movies. i began collecting any any film i could find that dealt with the history of japan, and some fantasy sword films. by sheer coincidence i ended up married to a woman from osaka. her father and i used to talk through her about all the famous figures. he was pretty pleased at how much i knew, and enjoyed our talks. i enjoyed learning from him. he was a really great guy just as a person. he entertained everyone at our wedding reception, even though he spoke no english, and none of the guests spoke japanese.

I would love to see the lost footage of the battle of Nagashino that was cut out. I was also blown away to hear that some of the armor was loaned out by museums that to me was just incredible . This is another film I need to get back into my collection especially if I can find it on Criterion Collection . Thank you again for making another incredible review .

Holy Shit this channel is literally what I have been looking for since ages!

When I first watched this movie about fourty years ago I was impressed into silence. What remained ever since was the final battle. I disagree with the critique that it was not shown enough. It was, in fact, shown: in the face of the then disgraced Kagemusha, step by step, and the final view of the battlefield. There's nothing missing. Everything one needs to know was shown.

Kurosawa's great comeback - the music is the best soundtrack in all of Kurosawa's films! And it has one of the best dream scenes I have ever seen in cinema!

I actually prefer Kagemusha over Ran precisely because the story is grounded in historical events (or at least the legends and folk stories that surrounded those events), which to me makes it all the more fascinating. I have a soft spot for historical fiction so Kagemusha easily became my favorite of Kurosawa's films. I also wished we got full battle scenes, especially for Nagashino, but I can see how it fits narratively as our hero cannot be truly and actively involved in the battles, shifting the focus to dealing with the consequences of those battles.

I have only seen this film once, on its cinema release in Australia and have been trying to track down a DVD of it, unsuccessfully. There is a scene from it that remains fixed in my mind. where the Kagemusha is brought into the home castle and there are some retainers who are being disrespectful until the Kagemusha drops into his role by rearranging an arm rest and beginning to sit like the daimyo. The retainers immediately sit up in a far more respectful manner and look to the Kagemusha. Brilliant film making without a word being said.

Proud to say that this is my all-time favorite movie. Give me your Kubricks, Lucases, Citizen Kanes, and Casablancas. This one beats them all by a clean mile. Also in regards to the additional footage, from what I know, there's only two cuts of the movie: the 159-minute International cut that Fox released in the US and the 180-minute Japanese cut that Toho released. Kenshin DOES NOT appear in the International cut, but he does in the Japanese. As far as I know the 180-minute version is by all accounts, is the director's cut and the most complete version. And in any case, the Japanese scenes add a few interesting tidbits: we get Takashi Shimura's last screen role, a cameo by Shingen's father , and a visit by a friar.

Just watched this movie an hour ago. Blow away by how much sheer beauty there is in the movie. Love the character arc of the shadow too, it's a shame the arc doesn't really "resolve" in a satisfying manner though. Overall a very impressive movie, I was impressed by it and will remember this my whole life I think.

Your videos are so good they are making me want to write a couple power metal songs about this period. Bro i love your stuff.

First saw the film about 15 years ago. Absolute favourite scene was when the thief, without realizing, acted introspectively like Shingen. The retainers who would normally relax in private knowing that he's a fake perks up and starts acting formal as if they were in the presence of Shingen again.

I didn't know the movie was based on a true story, but I really really loved it from my first watch. I think the music is great, as well as the battle scenes, the colors are gorgeous. I felt so much interest in the plot and the main character's story is definitely something that has stuck to my mind. Well I love kurosawa too I watched many of his movies before kagemusha, I'm a big fan of his style, this director made so many great movies in different genra. Interesting video.

One of the first samurai movies I watched. A good film. Good review!!

One of my favorites. Seven Samurai, The Hidden Fortress, and When the last sword is drawn, are the others.

I love this film. The portrayal of the kagemusha is one of the finest pieces of acting I feel I have ever seen. I had stumbled on this movie about 9 years ago and and have watched it several times since, but I still have not seen Ran. That's next on my queue. Thank for the recommendation.

The BluRays of both this and Ran arrived today. I have seen both films before - long ago. I loved Ran, but was lost trying to watch Kagemusha. So before throwing the disk into the player, I found your video. I think this is going to help with my second (very belated) viewing.

Tatsuya Nakadai also played Shingen's ruthless and unstable father, Takeda Nobutora, a few years ago in the jidaigeki Fuurin Kazan

Huge Kurosawa fan, breathtaking scenes in this film but for me the missing ingredient was Mifune. A very fair review of the film imo.

Great movie overall, and it has what has to be one of the coolest dream sequences ever filmed. I'd give it 3 thumbs up, but I only have the two.

Kagemusha is actually one of my favorite Samurai films. It always amazed me that a great film like Kagemusha was viewed as a "dress rehearsal" or mere "stepping stone" for his epic film "Ran".

When I was 19, I drove 17 miles to San Francisco solo to see it on the big screen. I was spellbound, especially the night battle scene and castle burning. Later I paid $75 for the vhs so I could see it again. Such an epic film!

I like how Nobunaga wore europian style armour and helmet, at the end.

I love all of these movies and no matter how many times I watch them I get something new every time. I hope you do ALL of the great samurai movies from the 40's with "Men who tread on the tigers tail" all the way up through the mid to late 70's and maybe 1 or 2 in the 80's. I'm partial to the ronin movies. I'd love to see what you think of 3 outlaw samurai or even Samurai Assassin to name a quick 2. I'm working my way through your educational series on the eras, etc. Absolutely fascinating stuff. Thank you

Could only imagine Katsu as Shingen and the double. He was small chubby like real shingen and would also shine as the double due to his experience to play bandit and yakuzas. But Nakadai shines in the role as much as Jinpachi Nezu for Nobunaga

Incredible story and incredible cinematography. Amazing ambiance and feeling. I left the film with amazement and also it kept ringing in my head. That's how you know it's a well made film, and with heavy, brutal history.

Yes I promise to see this movie before I die/ I've read books and seen review, this is a Must watch. Thank You for all You do for Your minions. You do for Us wha we can't do for ourselves. Arigatōgozaimashita

Had this tab opened for a month before finally finishing this movie and now being able to watch the video.

When i watched this movie as a kid, I didn't know anything about the history. So the story i could interpret only from what the movie and its director presented me. And it worked for me. Same criticism from me: no actual combat scenes. But what i have always loved about Kurosawa's movies is that you get the point of view of the little men, the spies disguised as merchants endlessly arguing whether Shingen is dead or not. Prior to Kagemusha, I had also seen "The Forbidden Fortress" on tv years ago but while I couldn't make much of the story, I liked that movie also. Especially the cameraderie between the two soldiers/deserters who become entangled in a plot to escort a princess to her destiny.

I watched this in the late 1980s--watched it over and over(on VHS). One of the first samurai movies I ever watched. Need to watch it again. Agree would like to see more actual samurai combat instead of armies parading around. But really liked the way Nagashino was done. Kage means shadow, kagemusha=shadow warrior.

I agree that this is the definitive Nobunaga. Makes me wish Kurosawa based the whole film around Daisuke Ryu

Love this movie, keeps you on edge what will happen next even without so much fighting

I just saw Kagemusha for the first time last week. I got the story of the movie, but I was a little lost and a tad thrown off because of the long runtime. At least for my first watch. Nevertheless, I was blown away by the color, acting and cinematography the film had to offer. I’m most likely going to watch this movie again. Cause I do genuinely like it, and I was always rooting for the Kagemusha in the film.

I really enjoyed the movie. At the beginning had to google the characters as it was so confusing without any knowledge of the japanese feudal history. I will definitely recommend this movie to those who love history movies. The ending where kagemusha was unceremoniously discarded undermining his service to the clan in their times of need, really struck a chord. First I felt sad but came to terms that feudal Japan must have this harsh and tough. I am amazed by the scale of production where no CG technology was available and had to use real extras. That really left me in awe. Kagemusha's character arc was so believable. The way he had a change of heart. I believe his affection for the Shingen's grandson really made him to genuinely enjoy playing the part. I believe only when he was with him he was able to let go of reigns and be a little of himself. All 3 hours was worth watching. And thanks for the review, the fact that you mentioned that they borrowed real samurai outfits from museums really left me baffled. What an amazing epic but now have checkout more of Akira Kurosawa's work.

I love them all especially “HEAVEN AND EARTH”.......thanks for sharing!🥰❤️🙏

Kagemusha was my first Kurosawa . I was in my late teens and saw it with my best buddy and his father. it was an unforgettable experience, some of scenes etched in my memory for life. It was clear to me even then that the film is anti war , even anti samurai. In a sense, a turning back on his previous films (just as Clint Eastwood,s Unforgiven is anti Western and anti Gunfighter). I do not agree that the battle scenes should have been given more film space. That would have diluted, perhaps even killed the anti war message. I like to point out that Kurosawa made Throne of Blood (Macbeth) in 1957, so Ran was not an experiment in adapting Shakespeare. Finally, the film was made primarily for a Japanese audience who would know the history of the conflict between Nobunaga and Takeda. Even Japanese school children would know the history.

Yes, I have watched the movie and found it interesting and good. At the time I did not realize it depicted actual events so now I want to rewatch it to fill in those gaps. I can rewatch any Kurosawa movie easily many times.

I watched this years ago, before I knew much more about anything before Ieyasu's rise to power. I wasn't as young as you might've been when you first watched it, but I certainly came in blind, and maybe a little overtired (because that last battle scene + the credits with that beautiful music made me weep lmao) I understood the story fairly quickly even without knowing about any of the people aside from Ieyasu, and when I saw the direction it was going in I was so captivated. I haven't rewatched it yet, though, and when I was doing more research on Nobunaga I'd heard that Kagemusha was a story based on Nagashino + Shingen's death. I was shocked. I felt like, even though I'd watched the movie before, I HAD to watch it again just to look at it with a new perspective. I still haven't, but this review made me want to! It might be far fetched, but if you ever do find those extra scenes with Kenshin in the Japanese version... I'd love to know. I'll have to do more digging, right after rewatching the movie again. So, thanks for that! Also, Kagemusha was on Netflix Canada when I watched it, only for it to disappear a few days after. What a disappointment.

...in terms of historical accuracy and costume-details 'Kagemusha' i.m.o. gives Sergej Bondartschuk's 'Waterloo' from 1970 a good run for its money...!

I think that it was good. I'm not very up on japanese history. Though I've played a lot of samurai games as a teen and loved every onimusha game when I was a kid. I thought nobunaga was a comically evil figure from my only exposure to him in media presenting him as comically evil. I was actually confused that in movies he is more of a grey area character. Knowing the history now I know that it is more accurate.....but still he is so ingrained in my head as a villain that when I think of the name "nobunaga oda", my next thought is *evil cackling*

Of all the samurai films I've seen, Kagamusha has to be my favorite.

I liked Kagemusha but the intro scene is very jarring. That a Daimyo would just wryly acknowledge a common thief throwing the ruling class's crimes in his face is hard to swallow.

I just watched this film today and I'm pretty convinced that Shingen in the jar is the main inspiration for Alexander the Warrior Jar in Elden Ring

A feature of the this movie, is that we do not see the events. We only see the aftermath of the event. We dont see when Shingen is shot, we dont see the battles and we dont see when Kagemusha is shot. We only see what happens after. I think that avoiding battles is deliberate.

I think without context one can pretty well catch that different clans are fighting each other with no higher authority that could unify them, that's all you need to get for the story's purpose.

I watched this once so far and was confused because Shingen and Nobukado look so much alike. Not realizing that they were brothers, I thought that Nobukado has the first decoy and then the theif was a second decoy. I hope I can follow and appreciate it more with another viewing.

One can only imagine If It was Mifune portraying shingen/kagemusha, not that the chosen actor was any bad, but Mifune is so great and the character was tailor made for him.

Finally ! I've found the Japanese war movie I watched in a canvas sided tropical cinema in 1980. All I remembered was a sniper rifle being set up with a ' plumb line ' hanging off its stock, and at around the 06:35 mark, there it was ! Another mystery solved.....

I'm new to your Channel and I must say I'm absolutely enamoured with your Samurai film reviews. And not to take a thing away from Legendary Power House actor Tatsuya Nakadai who's stunning film repertoire speaks volumes. But it absolutely breaks my heart to know that we were denied a collaboration between Shintaro Katsu and Akira Kurosawa, apparently over something so trivial as to whether or not a behind-the-scenes film could be shot for the benefit of Shintaro's students! Speaking of Katsu, you could EASILY do a whole series on his Zatoichi films 26 in total I believe, not to mention 100 hour long episodes of the Zatoichi TV series. While I'm aware the character is Yakuza not Samurai, given the fact Zatoichi is played with some very admirable Samurai like qualities I believe it is a very fine line your subscribers would readily forgive you for Crossing especially if it opens the hearts, minds and eyes of new fans to this beloved character and fantastic series!!! But you probably shouldn't listen to me, you keep doing what you're doing cuz you're doing it great! Looking forward to more reviews. Cheers.

Have u watched the movie "Daisan no Kagemusha" aka the third warrior from Umetsugu Inoue from 1963? Great movie taking place during the Sengoku era with the actor Raizo Ichikawa. Impossible Kurosawa did not take inspiration from it. I can only recommend this movie as it is really realistic, gruesome and a nice battle scenes. Less cinématographique than Kurosawa movie and also less theatralistic. A movie easy to watch to be honest easier than Kagemusha and sadly not really famous for the western audience. If Kagemusha is a master piece the third warrior is really a gem.

Between the two of them, I used to place Kagemusha ahead of Ran for its simplicity and performances, but I have since changed my assessment. My opinion of the former has remained constant while I have come to see the genius of Ran after many viewings. I now consider Ran to be one of my overall favorite films, and I'm quite a cinephile.

Nice tribute. I couldn't pick a favorite Kurosawa film, but this is certainly on the top shelf.

I saw the movie a couple years ago. Thought it was rather ironic that the kagemusha himself was a better, more benevolent leader than the feudal lord himself. I definitely like it’s style though. I only found it when I was on Netflix looking for Seven Samurai, and that was all that came up. I’m certainly glad I took the opportunity to watch it. 🙂

The Drama Furinkazan has a way better score - also Gackt plays Kenshin :p

Always love watching this film, as Kurosawa brings to life the Senpoku era in the way he brought every one of his films to life in. The opening scene alone is one of my favourites for establishing Shingen, the thief and his brother. Of how Kagemusha came to be, then we get the brilliant shots of the messenger running across the castle siege, to where the generals are. It's just such a wonderful way of bringing to life the costumes, armour etc that Kurosawa storyboarded, and directed spot on. Then there are many of the Nobunaga scenes and how spot on Daisuke captures his eccentric personality, his embrace of western culture, Nanban armour and the amen to the Jesuits, which makes me laugh every time, especially as its Himeji castle they use for the scene. Which I went to just as it had reopened in 2015 in my last holiday to Japan. It's definitely one of the few works that I think capture how complex Nobugaga was and avoids romanticizing him or villainizing him as popular media often does. The way we see many of the Takeda figures like Takeda Nobukado, Yamagata Masakage, Katsuyori etc brought to life by their actors and the script. The long shots at the Battle of Nagashino beautifully capture the events without it being gratuitous or making it look glamorous. So I don't have an issue with the film not showing us the battles as much as some commentators do. As the character's reactions especially at Nagashino sell it so well for me and the shots of the dead Takeda troops afterwards lays bay what happened to them as they were in rl. But of course, there's Tatsuya Nakadai's brilliant portrayal of not just Shingen, but the thief, of how he has to ingrain himself into Shingen's character, his position as head of the clan. Of being a grandfather, and how he loses himself in it. Being overconfident and trying to ride Shingen's horse that brings the whole charade down. But because he had grown so attached to the clan, his identity being lost as Shingen, he follows the clan to their doom and his own. The ending where he falls into the river trying to reach out to the banner gets me every time and I think is Kurosawas' most tragic ending. It's a shame Kagemusa is under the radar compared to Kuroswas's other films, I can get why. But its a brilliant watch in its own right.

It still boggles my mind how Tora Tora Tora was a flop, it's one of the best war films of all time, I'd never liked Siskel and Ebert and I recall their review of the film as particularly nonsensical. It and this film are historical gems.

If only Nobunaga didn’t look like Dr Strange...

This video is amazing context for me. I watched this about a month ago and i loved it visually however the story was hard to follow near the end. I bought the criterion release of this movie and i plan on rewatching it on a big screen.

Watched this on DvD again tonight. Saw this in the cinema when it was first released had to see it a few times before i got into it. For a long time one of my favourite movies. For mine, it iis better than Ran. But my favourite movie is Kurosawa's Red Beard. But this is amazing. Those scenes of dying horses!!- wow.o

Very good review!

I love this film. It has maybe the most amazing endings I have ever seen.

this is a fantastic review. Instant follow questions, what happened with Kurasawa and Tora Tora Tora? and why was Kurosawa trying to distance himself from Mifune later in his career?

I agree in that if you know the history, you will take so much more from this film. Loved Kagemusha, but it's been over 10 years maybe I should give it another watch.

Kagemusha was the second samurai movie I saw just after Seven Samurai and I really had a hard time getting into it. Now that I've familiarized myself more with the genre and the period, perhaps a new viewing with more atuned eyes would help appreciate the experience more.

Okehazama-Nobunaga goes big time Kawanakajima- Shingen v Kenshin series Nagashino- Nobunaga squashes Takeda Sekigahara- Tokugawa seizes the throne

The worst part about Kagemusha is its pacing, scenes linger on to death to the point where you’re wanting the film to progress. It’s also a longer film, which makes it even worse On a brighter tone, the cinematography is absolutely incredible. One of Kurosawa’s best and the performances are outstanding. I like looking at it, but I was bored to death. 8/10

A masterpiece of Akira Kurosawa and japanese cinema...which stole almost of the plot from Umetsugu Inoue's The Third Shadow

Honestly this film does feel just like a stepping stone. Although all the technical achievements are at the top of his career it does not nearly hit as hard as his previous works.

I've seen these films many times, years ago. I've forgotten more than I remember. If you ask me, your review seems spot on, but don't ask me. Have you reviewed "Throne of Blood"?

This is my favorite Kurosawa film!

I love watching the videos produced on this channel--but that continuous beeping sound in the background sounds like a truck backing up, drives me nuts

It's almost as good as Ran, which is quite simply the most visually beautiful movie ever made

This cycle of the hero is actually born in Anient Hellenic Myths Tragedies and Epics.

Great!

The movie is way better than Ran. Snobbery may prefer themes over substance, but I don’t. The shots are better here too

I liked the movie, but it was too long. Should included the outtakes and been a miniseries of 4 hours instead. I felt the pacing suffered a bit which I didnt feel in Ran for example. And I also didnt like the music fully at times. But the more "arty" parts of the movie, like the celebration and the dream is top tier cinematic experiences which I value highly. Overall a great movie but with quite big flaws, 8/10. (Hero with Jet Li and also Ran I would give 10/10)

i just saw this movie today on tv just by cheer luck i was switched channels and fell on it lol

my issue is with the tone of the film....in my opinion there is too much "comedy" in it. the person who plays the double emperor actas in a comedic way throughout the film. also the spies that spot the double are like the 3 stooges.

Great video

I cannot see a see scribe button

I m just sad for takeda clan, i venge them on total war shogun 2 ;)

Funny just read a short manga called Reiri about the end of the Takeda clan !!

because i didnt anderstand did the takeda clan got destroyd or still exists ?

After finishing this video I want to watch kagemusha now where I can find it, ok google first

I tried watching kagemusha 3 times and failed. I will give it another try !

Sounds like Lucas did right

What is your opinion of James Clavells Shogun?

It was good, not quite great. Beautiful cinematography and wonderful performances. Too many unnecessary scenes of exposition. The dream sequence, in particular, cheapened the rest of the film. Too much time was spent telling the story of the double. We get it, he is not Shingen. Other characters were more compelling. The history of feudal Japan provided the opportunity to tell a compelling story about the period, but this movie just misses the mark with this particular one. If this were a two hour film, with better music, about Oda Nobunaga it would have been more satisfying.

where can i see this film online?

pronunciation of takeda is wrong

Yojimbo mi

Think I'm first

It is NOt japaein, it is JA PA N or NIP PON.