Kagemusha - 1980

Based on 1570's Feudal Japan, this historical epic was a masterpiece of its time. Akira Kurosawa was near the end of his career, and hadn't made a film in some time, but this was his valiant return with the Film Kagemusha: the Shadow Warrior. The film almost never seen the light of day if it weren't for the Western counterparts to cover the remaining budget and distribution.

Based on the true events Takeda Shingen and his clan, this film delves into the historical aspects of the era and the politic behind it. The famous warlord dies to an assassin of one of the competing factions, but one of his last requests was to keep the appearance that he was alive for the sake of the clan. The top generals of this clan seek out a shadow warrior or counterfeit Shingen to play the roll of the warlord. Many competing clans are fighting for power, and suspect he may be dead, but are unable to say for certain.

Directed by Akira Kurosawa, with George Lucas, and Francis Ford Coppola and starring Tatsuya Nakadai.

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