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Kagemusha (影武者) is a film by Akira Kurosawa. The word is Japanese and means imposter (more literally, shadow warrior). The story is of a man who is taught to pretend being an already dead warlord (based on warlord Takeda Shingen) for the sake of keeping his clan united in the upcoming battle.
The films takes elements from the Warring States period in Japanese history. The warlord in the story is based on Daimyo Takeda Shingen and the battle is based on the Battle of Nagashino of 1573. (source: [1] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080979/trivia))
The film was released in 1980 and is generally considered a great costume reincarnation of feudal Japan with its endless warlordism as well as a story of a man with split personality. Or generally an actor who falls too deep into his role.
Speaking of actors, Kurosawa originally cast the boisterous Shintaro Katsu in the title role. He left the production before the first day of shooting was over – either fired or of his own accord (stories differ) – and was replaced with Tatsuya Nakadai, who had appeared in a number of the director's previous films.
External link
Kagemusha (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080979/) at IMDb.com
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