Kagemusha [DVD video]

Reconstructing the splendor of feudal Japan and the pageantry of war, Kurosawa creates a soaring historical epic about a peasant impersonating a nobleman in battle. Kagemusha is presented in its original 180 min. uncut Japanese version, not the shortened "international version" presented by 20th Century Fox.

In 16th century feudal Japan, a thief is saved from execution to train as a double for one of the warlords, Shingen. Three warlords, Shingen, Nobunaga, and Ieyasu, battle for total power over Japan. When Shingen receives a mortal wound, the double must take his place to hold the Takeda clan together.

General Note:

Originally released as a motion picture in 1980.

Special features: [disc 1] new, restored high-definition digital transfer enhanced for widescreen televisions; audio commentary by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince, author of The Warrior's Camera: the Cinema of Akira Kurosawa; includes U.S. trailer, Japanese teaser and Japanese trailer; [disc 2] Lucas, Coppola, and Kurosawa (19 min., 2005 ; interview with Lucas and Coppola) ; 41 min. documentary on Kagemusha (part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create) ; Image: Kurosawa's Continuity (43 min. video by Masayuki Yui that reconstructs Kagemusha through Kurosawa's paintings and sketches) ; Suntory commercials made on set ; storyboards. Booklet featuring new essay by Japanese culture expert Peter Grilli, an interview by Japanese film expert Tony Rayns, and biographical sketches by Japanese film historian Donald Richie.

Performers:

Nakadai Tatsuya, Yamazaki Tsutomu, Hagiwara Ken'ichi, Nezu Jinpachi, Ōtaki Shūji.

Contents:

Disc 1. Kagemusha -- disc 2. Supplements.

Technical Details:

DVD ; NTSC, region 1 ; widescreen; Dolby Digital discrete surround, stereo ; dual layer ; new, restored high-definitition digital transfer.

Subject Term:

Samurai -- Japan -- Drama.

Daimyo -- Japan -- Drama.

Genre:

Feature films.

Historical films.