Period horror movies; you either love them or you hate them. If you liked the period horror piece
"KWAIDAN" or even enjoyed something along the lines of
"ONIBABA" or even the sickly sweet romance in films like
"A MOMENT TO REMEMBER", then you'll enjoy this. Based on a classical Japanese story written in 1825 by
Tsuruya Nanboku (recommended reading), it was translated onto stage and screen many times: each better than the last. Although there were numerous versions of this classic tale bought to screen between 1912 to 1994, this 1959 version remains the most popular (or so I've heard) and as a personal opinion of mine...I agree wholeheartedly. Enough history and on to the film itself: this legendary tale is a simple one of love and vengeance (or revenge if you so choose to call it). Although it starts out slow and as a period melodrama, the eerie creepiness does...err...creep through and if you think about it it was quite graphic for the time. To say any more would be to spoil the story and to do that would be a crime so lets just say that the entire film is beautifully shot and drips with atmosphere. I really enjoyed watching this and didn't find it dragging a bit (unlike the 1941 version of "47 ronin" which I've yet to finish). Even if you do not have any interest in watching any Shintoho Studio films you would not be amiss if you decide upon viewing this one. Find it....See it....and fall in love with it!
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