Akira Kurosawa's lauded feudal epic presents the tale of a petty thief who is recruited to impersonate Shingen, an aging warlord, in order to avoid attacks by competing clans. When Shingen dies, his generals reluctantly agree to have the impostor take over as the powerful ruler. He soon begins to appreciate life as Shingen, but his commitment to the role is tested when he must lead his troops into battle against the forces of a rival warlord.
| Original Title | 影武者 |
| Year | 1980 |
| Country | Japan, United States of America |
| Genre | Action, Drama, History, War |
| Director | Akira Kurosawa |
| Runtime | 180 min. |
| Rating | TMDB: 7.8/10 (722 votes) |
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Momentum is sustained from first scene to last. The director knows how to give the viewer breathing room without losing tension — and that's valuable in the genre.
Watches in one breath. Plot logic is secondary — what matters here is movement and rhythm, and that's all in order.
For genre fans — essential viewing. For those looking for something deeper — possibly not the film.
Director: Akira Kurosawa
— MovieFinder Editorial
Best Watched
Viewing atmosphere: Evening with friends, volume up. Talking during the film is acceptable.
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