Onibaba: Amazon.ca: Nobuko Otowa, Jitsuko Yoshimura, Kei Sat�, J�kichi Uno, Taiji Tonoyama, Sensh� Matsumoto, Kentar� Kaji, Hosui Araya, Fudeko Tanaka, Michinori Yoshida, Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Tanaka, Kiyomi Kuroda, Kaneto Shind�, Toshio Enoki, Hisao Itoya, Kazuo Kuwahara, Setsuo Noto, Tamotsu Minato: DVD

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
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4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Japanese Horror Gem, April 8 2004

By

A-Train (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: Onibaba (DVD)

Although I had never seen the movie, I picked up the Criterion DVD for 'Onibaba' based on the plot alone. A widowed mother and daughter-in-law living in medieval Japan prey on wounded samurai wandering through the marshland. They strip the warriors of their weapons and armor and drop the bodies in a deep pit. They then sell the goods for food. Meanwhile, a former neighbor comes back from war only to upset relations between the women and himself.

'Onibaba' is based on a Bhuddist morality tale, but was also filmed as an allegory of post-war A-Bomb victims. Regardless, there is a lot at work here, but I wasn't nearly prepared for how incredibly erotic this movie was. Tall reeds that brush the bodies of those who run through them. And nothing is overtly symbolic than the rabidly [excited] neighbor screaming into the pit, "I want a Woman!"

But overall, 'Onibaba' is a high mark in Japanese filmmaking with striking, lush photography and a score filled with whips, cracks and human scats that mirror Morricone's Spaghetti Western scores. It is a slower paced film, but never boring if you let it envolop you like the tall reeds that swallow the characters of the movie.

Criterion is the master at restoring older prints like this and once again, do not disappoint. Aside from a few scratches in the beginning and a minor editing glitch in the middle, this does magnificent justice to the black-and-white photography and looks like a nearly new print. As with nearly every Criterion DVD you get a written essay on the insert. Extras include behind the scenes footage of the shoot, a still gallery, and a 20 minute interview with the director. Well worth the price.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible, Mar 18 2004

By

Un client - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: Onibaba (DVD)

I've loved this film ever since I saw it on tv when I was a kid so it's great to own this spectacular Criterion edition. The transfer is stunning - it looks just amazing.
This is a truly hypnotic film with its gloriously haunting cinematography. If you're a fan of Japanese cinema this is quite simply a must have.

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5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional horror story..., April 1 2004

By

Kim Anehall "www.cinematica.org" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Ce commentaire est de: Onibaba (DVD)

War and famine has worn out Medieval Japan which has brought a mother and her daughter-in-law to the edge of desperation as they have been forced to lead a life of lawlessness. The two women have become merciless murderers as they hunt for weak and fallen warriors that are lost in the tall grass of the marshland in which they live. The women dumps the dead bodies in a deep and dark hole after they steal the weapons and belongings of the warriors. The stolen goods are sold to a crooked salesman for a meager sum of grain and rice. When a dubious neighbor returns, the neighbor begin to show interest in a late friend's wife, which later develops to an passionate affair. Onibaba is based on a Buddhist legend that was told in order to teach moral values. Shind� directs with a skillful eye as he tells the story of the two woman and the affair that develops into an exceptional horror story. In the end, Onibaba leaves the audience with an excellent cinematic experience.

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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars vacuous adoration -- the death trap of a bad movie
There is much to say of my surprise at the shimmering reviews this pathetic second rate Japanese movie has received here on Amazon. Lisez davantage

Published on May 7 2004 by Joe Fatmama

5.0 out of 5 stars A DVD zone YOUR LIBRARY
I remember having seen Kaneto Shind�'s ONIBABA in a little arty movies theater when I was about 15 years old. Lisez davantage

Published on Mar 19 2004 by Daniel S.