Superbly constructed magnum opus.

Rating: 7/10 (13 May 2020)

Pros-
1. The opening sequence. One of the greatest sequences to begin a movie about doubles- have them engage in a 10 minute, single take, too and fro, while looking at the audience. Instant attention stealer.
2. The acting by the main protagonist- it generally is really difficult to judge the performance when you are busy reading the subtitles. However, the act is so sublime and well done, that it is easy to be blown away by it.
3. The scope and the grandiose nature of the sets.
4. The unexpected moments of mirth in the script
Cons-
1. The war scenes - I could not understand what exactly was happening in many of these sequences. Difficult to follow. Kurosawa would improve on this five years down the line, in the bloody and fantastic _*Ran*_, which critics say inspired the opening sequence of _*Saving Private Ryan*_.
2. The length - at 3 hours, it is not an easy watch to squeeze in between other activities of the day.
3. Superficial scripting for the character's transformation
Not amongst Kurosawa's best. But still a superbly constructed magnum opus.