A petty thief with an utter resemblance to a samurai warlord is hired as the lord's double, and when the warlord later dies the thief is forced to take up arms in his place.
From memory: A grand Japanese epic making elaborately made like a masterpiece painting; a master director at the peak of his art; the battle scenes are awe-inspiring.
Halliwell***: "Fascinating Japanese epic centring on stately ritual and court intrigue, with the occasional battle for spectacular action; one of the director's most impressive works."
Maltin***: "Grand combination of humanism and spectacle from a great filmmaker in the twilight of his career."
