The Criterion Collection release of Akira Kurosawa's 1980 film, Kagemusha will be released this August with basically the same specs as the 2005 2-disc Special Edition, save a new DTS-HD audio track and HD transfer.

Plot: In the 16th century, a petty thief (Tatsuya Nakadai) is granted reprieve from crucifixion because he is the spitting image of the warlord Shingen (also played by Nakadai). Shingen often sends an impersonator out into battle in his place to keep the morale of his troops up while conveniently keeping himself out of harm's way. Obviously, the thief's appearance makes him the perfect choice for the role of kagemusha (shadow warrior). Unfortunately Shingen is mortally wounded by a sniper while watching a battle and with his dying wish he passes leadership on to the kagemusha, with the order that no one is to hear of his demise for three years. Can a common criminal rise up and lead his new clan to victory over his predecessor's rivals or will he be discovered before he has the chance?

Blu-ray region A, 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, restored and remastered in HD, color. Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack with selectable English subtitles. Features include:

• Audio Commentary by Stephen Prince, author of "The Warrior's Camera: The Cinema Of Akira Kurosawa"
• Theatrical Trailers and Teasers
• "Lucas, Coppola and Kurosawa (19 minutes, 2005), directors George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola discuss Kurosawa and their roles as executive producers of "Kagemusha"
• A 41-minute documentary on the making of "Kagemusha", part of the Toho Masterworks series "Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful To Create"
• "Image: Kurosawa's Continuity", a 43-minute video piece reconstructing "Kagemusha" through Kurosawa's paintings and sketches
• A seres of Suntory Whiskey Commercials made on the set of "Kagemusha"
• A gallery of storyboards painted by Kurosawa and images of their realization on-screen
• PLUS: A 48-page booklet featuring a new essay by scholar Peter Grilli, a reprinted 1981 interview with Kurosawa by renowned critic Tony Rayns, and biographical sketches by Japanese film historian Donald Ritchie

Source: Criterion

Watch trailer

Available at the following retailer(s) on August 17, 2009:

• Amazon.com

Related Entries:

Tags: akira kurosawa, criterion, hideo murata, jinpachi nezu, kagemusha, kai ato, kenichi hagiwara, koji shimizu, kota yui, noboru shimizu, sen yamamoto, shuhei sugimori, shuji otaki, takayuji shiho, tatsuya nakadai, tsutomu yamazaki