Clocking in at three hours, Kwaidan tells four Japanese ghost stories, one for each season more or less, though maybe we skipped summer along the way. Masaki Kobayashi's director is incredibly precise, no surprise there, but what is most striking is the theatricality he dares use. Lavishly large studio-bound "exteriors", with painted skies, give each story a kind of odd irreality, and the sound design is spare and unrealistic, among other stylistic choices. Japanese expressionism? The first two tales are really about love and so are quite tragic each in their own way. The third starts with a huge sea battle as mere prologue(!) and ends up producing the most iconic images from the film. The fourth has the author himself enter the Twilight Zone. Despite the slow pace, you hardly notice the run time thanks to the impeccable film making. Atmosphere reigns supreme, and while knowing you're in a ghost story can give you the upper hand on the characters, the final twists are always nevertheless affecting.
Visually astonishing picture. 2nd story was my favorite, 1st one also hooked me, 4th had a great ending, the 3rd I think dragged further than it should.
Visually brilliant! Especially the light and color in "The Woman in the Snow." This one was not my favorite of the stories but it was visually the best. A feast for the eyes for the entire movie.
Masaki Kobayashi - "As a sort of shorthand description, one could say it was a horror film. My main intention in the film was to explore the juxtaposition between man's material nature and his spiritual nature, the realm of dream and aspiration. I wanted to create a drama that dealt directly with the spiritual importance of our lives. I also enjoyed conveying the sheer beauty of traditional Japan. Anyway, I am not really satisfied with the designation of "horror film." It's spiritual concerns are the center of the drama."
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mightysparks
I would like to buy this film, not Ghost Story!Skyscore
http://www.afisha.ru/movie/170216/review/146475/sideburnz
Kwaidan not Kaidan as the dvd cover seems to indicate. Kaidan is an altogether different movie.Siskoid
Clocking in at three hours, Kwaidan tells four Japanese ghost stories, one for each season more or less, though maybe we skipped summer along the way. Masaki Kobayashi's director is incredibly precise, no surprise there, but what is most striking is the theatricality he dares use. Lavishly large studio-bound "exteriors", with painted skies, give each story a kind of odd irreality, and the sound design is spare and unrealistic, among other stylistic choices. Japanese expressionism? The first two tales are really about love and so are quite tragic each in their own way. The third starts with a huge sea battle as mere prologue(!) and ends up producing the most iconic images from the film. The fourth has the author himself enter the Twilight Zone. Despite the slow pace, you hardly notice the run time thanks to the impeccable film making. Atmosphere reigns supreme, and while knowing you're in a ghost story can give you the upper hand on the characters, the final twists are always nevertheless affecting.gut1349
According to the DVD box and IMDb, the title of this film is Kwaidan.dr love
Visually astonishing picture. 2nd story was my favorite, 1st one also hooked me, 4th had a great ending, the 3rd I think dragged further than it should.Groovy09
Kobayashi: What an artist!!sushantv10
Kaidan is the japanese title.....the original title(imdb says so). But ya there is a new movie of same name too though.This one had beautiful visuals and stories were quiet interesting...
dvdgrdnr
nicely shot. Good score. Bit boring and languorously paced though imho.Dieguito
Visually astonishing!ClassicLady
Visually brilliant! Especially the light and color in "The Woman in the Snow." This one was not my favorite of the stories but it was visually the best. A feast for the eyes for the entire movie.K.
Masaki Kobayashi - "As a sort of shorthand description, one could say it was a horror film. My main intention in the film was to explore the juxtaposition between man's material nature and his spiritual nature, the realm of dream and aspiration. I wanted to create a drama that dealt directly with the spiritual importance of our lives. I also enjoyed conveying the sheer beauty of traditional Japan. Anyway, I am not really satisfied with the designation of "horror film." It's spiritual concerns are the center of the drama."