Kagemusha - Criterion Collection (DVD)

In this dazzling epic from Akira Kurosawa, a petty thief named Kagemusha (Tatsuya Nakadai) gets saved from a death sentence because he resembles the warlord Shingen Takeda (also Nakadai). The warlord has been fighting two other leaders for control of 16th-century Japan and impersonators often take his place during battles to put him out of harm's way. Because of Kagemusha's strong physical similarities to the warlord, he's a perfect choice for a shadow warrior. However, the arrangement suddenly changes when Shingen gets fatally wounded while watching a battle. Adhering to Shingen's final wish, the warlord's men keep the death a secret, and Kagemusha struggles to transform himself from a criminal into a leader.KAGEMUSHA marked a welcome return for the legendary director, who had not made a movie since 1974. Nakadai, a supporting player in earlier Kurosawa films, expertly portrays the leading role(s), almost always filled in the past by Toshiro Mifune. KAGEMUSHA also features the final screen appearance of longtime Kurosawa actor, Takashi Shimura. In order to help the film get an international release, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas served as executive producers.DVD Features:Region 12-Disc SetWidescreen - 1.85Audio: Stereo - JapaneseAdditional Release Material: Audio Commentary - 1. Stephen Prince - Kurosawa Scholar Featurette - 1. Documentary On the Making Of KAGEMUSHA, Part of Toho Masterworks Series AKIRA KUROSAWA: IT IS WONDERFUL TO CREATE 2. HELPING A MASTER, Interviews With Francis Ford Coppola And George LucasText/Photo Galleries: IMAGE: KUROSAWA'S CONTINUITY - Video Piece That Reconstructs KAGEMUSHA Through Kurosawa's Paintings And SketchesAdditional Products: Booklet With Essays By Scholars Darrell Davis And Peter Grilli And Biographical Sketches By Japanese Film Historian Donald Richie Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.