Cinematic Point Of View

In the grand scheme of Akira Kurosawa films, I had often read that Kagemusha (1980) was the lesser version of Ran (1985). It is similar in many ways to that film, but a lesser film it is not. I finally sat down to watch it a few weeks ago, and it’s been with me ever since.

The Story

Kagemusha tells the story of a small time thief (the Kagemusha) that is hired to act as a body double for a samurai warlord. During a military campaign, the warlord is gravely wounded. Before he passes on, his dying wish is that his death be kept secret for 3 years in order to maintain the status quo. In Japanese, Kagemusha translates to “Shadow Warrior.” At its heart, this film is really a story about the illusions of power.

What I Love About The Film

This film hooked me from the opening shots! A warrior, covered in mud, running through a castle to deliver a message. He runs past line after line of exhausted, resting soldiers. He nimbly jumps over scores of the dead. The bodies are bloody. The costumes are vibrant. The musical score is energized and fantastical. It’s exciting. You want to know where this solider is going and where he is.

I love the colors in Kagemusha. Kurosawa really applies his painter’s brush to this film in almost every scene. As you likely know, at this point in his career, Akira was painting his storyboards and created some truly dazzling works of art.

On the Criterior Blu-Ray there is a great section that puts the painted storyboard up against the final product of the film. It’s remarkable!

I love the performance by Tatsuya Nakadai as both the Kagemusha and as the warlord. His character goes through such a transformation as the Shadow Warrior. Those who have installed him in this role control him and tell him mostly to keep his mouth shut, so the majority of his role is done without dialogue. His eyes say so much. Disbelief. Pain. Fear. Regret. Honor.

As time passes and he starts to really settle into his role, I love the scenes where he is bonding with the grandson. It’s a cruel deception, but it’s also an honest one. He sees what he is doing as something for the greater good, and he is changing the people around him for the better in little ways. Where once the warlord was seen as scary and cruel, suddenly there is a bit of warmth and understanding.

I read that the role was originally envisioned for Shintaro Katsu famous for playing Zatoichi. I could see him in this role but at the same time I’m glad that it went to Tatsuya.

I love composer Shinichiro Ikebe‘s soundtrack for Kagemusha. It’s definitely a sound of it’s time, to me, recalling some of my favorite anime scores. Emotional and dreamy. It takes you away to a time long ago. I’ve embedded a favorite track below.

I love the shot composition and cinematography of Kagemusha. As I mentioned above, Akira Kurosawa storyboarded the heck out of this film and there are just too many beautifully composed and blocked shots to mention. Looking up at the towering castles at night. Armies marching against the setting sun. The dimly lit temple ceremony with just a hint of color light the tops of the audience as the camera dollies past. A conversation between plotting warlords in a castle tower, out the window snow falls over the sea. It’s all so perfect and thoughtful.

I love the deam sequence in Kagemusha. The backdrop paintings, the practical effects, and the colorful lighting all work to create such an otherworldly effect that you don’t get to see as much these days. A truly magical moment.

Final Thoughts

One last thing about this movie. At this point in Kurosawa’s career, many considered him past his prime. He had a difficult time getting this film made. George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola were big champions for his work and through their efforts, Kagemusha became a reality. There is a lot of love put into this film and in the making of the it. It all caught me off guard. Take that that into consideration when you watch it. It uplifts the entire piece of art.