Chinese Version
Kagemusha (Japan)
The Shadow Warrior
Lord's substitute
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai Tsutomu Yamazaki Kenichi Hagiwara Kota Yui
Footage: 179min
Year: 1980
Set in the 16th century, when powerful warlords competed for control of Japan. For some time, Shingen Takeda has been able to stay removed from the heat of battle by using his brother Nobukado as a double. Nobukado offers another option, having discovered a condemned thief bearing an uncanny resemblance to the warlord.The man chosen for this role is called kagemusha. As he lies dying from his battle wounds, Shingen orders his clan to keep his death secret so that his enemies will not attack. At first awkward in his new position, and plagued by dreams in which the spirit of his double confronts him, he slowly grows into the role even as his enemies begin to advance on his kingdom.
Kurosawa examines the concept of the double as a means to delve into enigmatic and paradoxical philosophical issues of identity, power, self-worth, and leadership.
References:
Works of the same director:
|
Personal rate |
|
|
