Source: DVD
Films Year Of Release: 1965
DVD Year Of Release: 2000
By: The Criterion Collection (Home Vision Entertainment)
Running Time: 161 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1, Widescreen, Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions, Dual Layered
System: NTSC (Color)
Audio: Dolby Digital Mono 2.0 in Japanese with English Subtitles
Region: "1"
Package Type: Keepcase

Extras:
Original Theatrical Trailer

Main Cast:

"The Black Hair" - Rentaro Mikuni, Michiyo Aratama, Misako Watanabe
"The Woman Of The Snow" - Tatsuya Nakadai, Jun Hamamura, Keiko Kishi
"Hoichi, The Earless" - Katsuo Nakamura, Takashi Shimura
"In A Cup Of Tea" - Kanemon Nakamura

Main Crew:

Masaki Kobayashi - Director
Shigeru Wakatsuki - Producer
Yakumo Koizumi (Lafcadio Hearn) - Original Story
Yoko Mizuki - Screenplay
Yoshio Miyajima - Director Of Photography
Toru Takemitsu - Music
Shigemasa Toda - Art Director
Hideo Nishizaki - Sound
Hisashi Sagara - Editor

About the film:

While I certainly have not seen every horror or genre film to come down the pike, I feel that in my 39 years on this earth I've seen a good amount ranging from the classics to modern as well as recent genre fare. From American to European to Asian, I've certainly seen a lot and covered just about all the sub-genres. Yep, nothing to surprise or chill these eyes. Then something comes along and says, "Get real pal, you ain't seen nothing yet!" Such is the case with Masaki Kobayashi's "Kwaidan". Prior to purchasing this DVD from the magnificent folks at Criterion, I read up on the film as much as I could without letting myself obtain too much information. The more I read, the more I felt I just had to see it. So, I took the plunge and ordered it. It may very well be the best money spent on a DVD so far. "Kwaidan" is without a doubt one of the most beautiful films to look at I have ever seen. The colors dazzle the eyes and the overall presentation gives off a spooky, surreal atmosphere that is hard to shake after watching. Filmed over a one year period almost exclusively in studio inside an old airplane hanger, the movie is a joy to behold. The studio sets are dazzling and the painted skies and backdrops hypnotize the viewer and draw them in to each story. The attention to detail and care taken by Director Kobayashi and crew is apparent from the get go. As the events unfold you almost have the feeling that you are watching a painting or work of art come to life. It's such an engulfing atmosphere that you can't look away or would even want to.

The film, which won the Special Jury Prize at the 1965 Cannes Film Festival, consists of four stories of the supernatural or macabre. It's an anthology or omnibus film along the lines of Bava's "Black Sabbath" or Francis' "Dr. Terrors House Of Horrors". But make no mistake. As entertaining as those films are, they are not in the same league as "Kwaidan". Not many films are. The stories were written by Lafcadio Hearn who was so taken by Japanese folklore and society, that he later became a citizen of Japan and changed his name to Yakumo Koizumi. Kobayashi and Director of Photography Yoshio Miyajima present these tales in impressive fashion. Kudo's also must go out to Shigemasa Toda for his brilliant Art Direction as well as Hideo Nishizaki for his impressive sound work and Toru Takemitsu for his haunting, chilling score. The entire crew fires on all cylinders and receive splendid performances from their actors. For the most part, the film moves along well though admittedly there may be one or two instances where the film can drag a bit but I could accept it because of the overall presentation and the payoff. Let's take a quick look at the four stories involved for which I will not give away a single spoiler.

"The Black Hair" - This bizarre story gets the proceedings underway in impressive fashion. It concerns a young Samurai who is so tired of living in poverty that he coldly leaves his adoring wife to seek a better life. He marries the daughter of a wealthy man but soon finds his new wife to be cold and heartless. At the same time he begins to miss his first wife and realizes he still loves her. Finally he returns some years later to his first wife who remains waiting for him after all these years just as she was when he left, while the house they once shared is a dilapidated mess. I really liked this story. There is a spooky feel throughout and an uneasiness in the proceedings. The interior sets are gorgeous and helps get the film off to a rousing start.

"The Woman Of The Snow" - Generally regarded as the spookiest of the stories, I'd have to say that I agree. This entry deals with two woodcutters, one a young man of 18 and the other an old man. Both become stranded in a blinding snowstorm and take refuge in a ferryman's hut. After falling asleep, the 18 year old awakens to see a beautiful, yet evil looking "snow witch" leaning over the body of the old man. She blows her cold breath on the man, taking his life. She then advances towards the young man but takes pity on him and lets him survive as long as he never tells anyone of this night for the rest of his life. 10 years pass and the now 28 year old is happily married and the father of three children. One night alone with his wife, he breaks down and shares with her the horrific events of that night 10 years ago and……..well, I will say no more. This is an outstanding supernatural tale delivering high numbers on the goosebump scale. The sets are so unforgettable including the bizarre paintings of the sky with eyes scattered about. You'll not forget this one anytime soon.

"Hoichi, The Earless" - Easily the longest and most macabre of the four tales. This is the one that some may find takes too long or moves too slow but it is essential in setting up this bizarre tale. The story, set in a monastery, centers on a blind musician who loves singing the songs of ancient sea battles between the Heike and Genji clans, whose final resting place happens to be within walking distance of the monastery. Hoichi's songs are so touching that the ghosts of the clans rise up and demand that the blind young man give a command performance in their honor. Hoichi is honored to do so but the constant late night ghostly performances begin to make him ill while the head monk discovers what he has been up to all these nights. The head monk tells Hoichi that if he continues to play, the ghosts will rip him apart. As a precaution, the monks paint Hoichi's entire body with holy text to ward off the spirits. However, they forget to paint his ears. Bizarre and unusual are words that spring to mind when viewing this story. An engulfing, spooky atmosphere grips you, and although the story takes time to develop, that feeling never lets go. The studio scenery here is again, nothing short of amazing. Particularly early on when the Heike and Genji seas battles are recreated under orange, yellow and red skies. The scenes of some of the clan's women committing suicide by jumping into a blood red sea are unforgettable.

"In A Cup Of Tea" - This is the story that most find the weakest and an anti-climax after the power of the first three. It's a simple story of a Samurai who goes for a drink of tea while on duty only to discover the reflection of a young, grinning phantom in his cup. After several attempts to get rid of this image by spilling the tea and pouring more, the Samurai cannot get rid of it and drinks the tea. Later that night while on patrol, the warrior encounters a strange intruder who he slowly realizes is the man whose face was reflected in the tea. After several futile attempts to rid himself of this phantom, the Samurai realizes he is dealing with someone or something from beyond. Perhaps he drank the mans soul? Visually this may be the weakest entry but I liked the story and it's dark atmosphere and must admit to being a little creeped out by it.

This is quite simply a masterpiece of cinema. I am running out of metaphors to use to describe this film. It's one that truly must be seen to be believed. Kobayashi shows a real flair with the camera and his movements are subtle, yet powerful and at times, distorted. "Kwaidan", at times, has long moments of silence, which lull you into the story, and then all of a sudden the slightest sound or noise or piece of music jolts you unexpectedly. I've said to several people that if you're a beginning filmmaker then you owe it to yourself to see this film and see how it is done. I will admit that there are a couple of instances where the studio sets may look artificial, such as the snowstorm in "The Woman Of The Snow", but perhaps that is it's intent as it seems to fit right in with the films bizarre, surreal feel. This is one DVD I am proud to have in my collection as I hope to pass it down to my Daughter and hopefully to her children because, quite frankly, films like this do not come around very often. A true masterpiece!

The DVD:

Picture Quality:

The video presentation on this Criterion Collection disc is stunning! We get an incredible 2.35:1 widescreen transfer that is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. This is a new digital transfer that was struck from a new 35MM composite low-contrast print. The print itself still has signs of minor damage, which pop up a couple of times, but it is really not noticeable except for two or three instances early on. Other then that, it is magnificent. The colors are dazzling, almost too good to believe and the images are sharp, crisp and clear. The blacks are solid throughout and help make this disc one of the best looking I have seen.

Sound:

Here we get a Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono audio track that is Japanese language with English subtitles. The sound is extremely crisp and clear making listening to the dialogue and music an easy task. I noticed no hissing and nothing to detract from the viewing and listening experience. The disc also boasts a new and improved English subtitle translation, which is literate and easy to read. There are however, a couple of instances where the subtitles move too quickly so keep a sharp eye out.

Extras:

I was a little surprised, based on Criterion's track record, that we only get the original theatrical trailer as an extra. There are chapter stops that are broken down by story, but that is basically it. The trailer, while faded and old looking, is excellent. It was really something to see how this film was advertised and the trailer does a wonderful job without giving anything away. There is also an insert with the disc with notes on the film by critic David Ehrenstein. My advice to you is NOT to read the notes before you see the film.

Final Thoughts:

I'm not going to waste too much time here because I do not want to become repetitive. All I will say in closing is that this masterful film was a complete joy to behold and not only should all film fans see it, they should run down and buy it. A treasured addition to your collection it would be. Enjoy!

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