Watch Kagemusha

Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha concerns a warrior chieftan in ancient Japan who drafts a peasant who bears his uncanny likeness to become his shadow replacement in the event of death or assassination in order for his clan to continue. This interesting Japanese twist on the Prince and the Pauper theme features an extraordinary performance by longtime Kurosawa collaborator Tatsuya Nakadai in both roles and was considered by Kurosawa to be a warm up for his masterpiece, Ran.