Kagemusha

Shingen, a powerful warlord, has become as legendary as the motto emblazoned on his war banners: "Swift as the wind, silent as the forest, fierce as the fire, immovable as the mountain." As he lies dying from his battle wounds, Shingen orders his clan to find a double to replace him - to keep his death secret so that his enemies will not attack. The Kagemusha (the shadow of the warrior) is a petty criminal who must somehow transform himself into a great leader and command the allegiance of 25,000 Samurai warriors. An epic drama of feudal conflict in sixteenth century Japan, Kagemusha was co-winner of the grand prize of the 1980 Cannes Film Festival, and is a milestone in the career of Akira Kurosawa.