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Grave Of The Fireflies...Wow

post #1 of 86
10/9/02 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 
I just finished watching the recently released SE DVD of Isao Takahata's Grave Of The Fireflies and am amazed at how powerful a film it was.

This Anime` film, which tells the story of a brother Seita, and his little sister Setsuko surviving the fire bombings of their village by any means necessary, is one of the best war (or anti-war?) films ever made.

The relationship between Seita and his sister is so real, so heart wrenching, that it is virtually impssible not to be moved to tears by their plight. No animated film I have ever seen has been this powerful.

There are so many wonderful little details that make this film a wonder to behold. To reveal them would spoil the magic of them.

The Japanese actors who voice the brother and sister, Tsutomo Tatsumi as Seita and especially Ayanu Shiraishi as Setsuko are extaordinary. The range of emotions that they convey with their voices is amazing. I listened to the Englsh dub for a moment to compare and the listless reading by the English voice actors is no where near as good as the original. Even though I don't understand Japanese, their feeling came across loud and clear. I urge you to watch the sub titled version. You'll see what I mean.

I haven't seen many Anime` films, Akira, Mononoke, Metropolis and recently Spirited Away to name a few.

Grave Of The Fireflies is better than them all. Small and intimate, not big and flashy, it is a one of a kind emotionally draining, incredibly moving viewing experience.

Highly Recommended!
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post #2 of 86
10/9/02 at 12:13pm
Indeed, an extremely provocative film. The problem is...it's so emotionally exhausting, ranging from shock and anger to profound and infinite sadness, I wondered how often I could rewatch this film.

Yet, when it was repeatedly shown on IFC a number of years ago, I invariably caught every showing. Either I'm a sucker for intense blues or the film, despite the fact that it's anime, possesses many nuances (my appreciation for anime has grown since).

Quote:
The range of emotions that they convey with their voices is amazing. I listened to the Englsh dub for a moment to compare and the listless reading by the English voice actors is no where near as good as the original. Even though I don't understand Japanese, their feeling came across loud and clear.


For me the most compelling aspect of the film. I was never a fierce OSL advocate before, but after watching this film, I gained a newfound respect for the amount 'acting' intrinsic to voices.

The anguish evident in the older brother's voice...piercing throughout. Much like content, there are cultural components to speech that are neither translateable or evident in other cultures.

Great review...might have to buy the dvd. But I actually cringe or I'm provoked to great anger when I recall this film.
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post #3 of 86
10/9/02 at 1:36pm
I was given the VHS as a gift some time ago -- I share Tino's thoughts and feelings entirely. It's a truly amazing movie, and I'm delighted to see it's been given SE treatment (didn't realize it had been released yet, though!).

Time to make a quick trip to the video store... this should be required viewing for everyone -- though it can be hard to take at times.
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post #4 of 86
10/10/02 at 1:08am
I, too thought this was a very difficult, yet very important film to watch. Anyone who says anime or any kind of animation has no range really should see this film and experience the depth of feeling.

You will cry.

tony
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post #5 of 86
10/10/02 at 1:31am
I have this one (and Metropolis) in my Netflix queue! Looking forward to both of 'em!
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post #6 of 86
10/10/02 at 5:23am
I must see this movie - but it's not easy to find and is fairly expensive.
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post #7 of 86
10/10/02 at 6:13am
Grave of the Fireflies is simply the most important and perhaps the best animated film ever made. A perfect marriage between animated storytelling and a moving storyline, the characters and images that Isao Takahata paints are both harrowing and unforgettable. This is a film that is not to be missed and every library should not be without.

~Edwin
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post #8 of 86
10/10/02 at 8:17am
Thread Starter 
Lou

It's $19.99 @ BestBuy and it's a 2 disc SE with plenty of extras. Well worth every penny.
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post #9 of 86
10/10/02 at 10:26am
Thanks for the tip Tino.

I'll check the Best Buy that's opening up near me - now that they are moving into Canada.

I've seen it elsewhere but it's going for ~ $50 Canadian.
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post #10 of 86
10/10/02 at 1:19pm
Another recommendation for Grave of the Fireflies from me. A wonderful film. This one sticks with you.

And Central Park Media's DVD is terrific.
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post #11 of 86
10/10/02 at 1:32pm
And I think DeepDiscountDVD has it for 16 or 18 USD. For 90 minutes of cinematic magic, with an interview with Roger Ebert as well as with the Director Isao Takahata and the author of the actual novel that inspired the movie (and his reactions to the film), THIS IS A MUST GET.

Glad to see that you enjoyed this film. It's not an easy film to see many many times, but what is there will have a profound impact on anyone who watches it.

Mind you, there are many who dislike this movie for its intensity or are too "action" oriented and dismiss it as a bore-fest Not me...
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post #12 of 86
10/10/02 at 1:57pm
I am scared of this movie. Seriously. I've wanted to see it for a few years now, but I am literally afraid to watch it after reading various impressions of it. If I watch it when I'm in a good mood, I think I'll become depressed, and if I watch it when I'm in a down mood, well...

If Moulin Rouge can have such a dramatic effect on my "allergies", I shudder to think what this film would do.
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post #13 of 86
10/10/02 at 2:47pm
Well, if that's your reason for watching, I just... don't get it. Have something happy to watch afterwards, that's all I can say.


If I am not mistaken, this was double billed with My Neighbor Totoro afterwards. My Neighbor Totoro can and will help alleviate the profound sadness that this movie brings. Or put in something funny that YOU like. Or watch this with someone else and discuss the movie afterwards. But don't avoid watching this movie because you are afraid of it's effects.

Seriously - see this movie. Have lots of Kleenex handy and see this movie. You won't regret it.
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post #14 of 86
10/10/02 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, this is a sad, powerful extremely moving film, but not to the extreme of being unpleasant.

And when you think about it, if you take the prologue and turn it into an epilogue, which it actually is, the film is not as sad. Those of you that have seen it will know what I mean.
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post #15 of 86
10/10/02 at 11:58pm
Quote:
If I am not mistaken, this was double billed with My Neighbor Totoro afterwards. My Neighbor Totoro can and will help alleviate the profound sadness that this movie brings.

Yes, but strangely, MNT also has an underlying yet persistent tension of sadness, albeit nothing so severe and brutal found in Fireflies.

The mother of the two daughters is ill (serious?) throughout the film. While the focus is never on the illness, it is a 2ndary theme which ballasts the film from escaping into total frivolity. It is also that which separates MNT from the pack as a great film. One which Ebert lauds as the greatest anime ever, if my memory serves me correctly. Or, at least he slobbered over it like Charlie does with his Wonka bar.

Regardless, films like MNT and Grave of the Fireflies secured Studio Ghibli and the 2 men at its helm as monoliths in filmmaking.

I resisted the seduction of anime for so long. And while I'm still no convert, Studio Ghibli has produced film so provacative and evocative, you'd have to have a stone heart to not be moved.
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post #16 of 86
10/11/02 at 2:45pm
Yet unlike GtoF or Hotaru no Haka, MNT or Tonari no Totoro is an gentle and uplifting film that truly shows the wonders of childhood and is also an ode to nature and shamanism in the form of Chibi Totoro, O Totoro, and the Ssusuwatare...

I agree that the ailing mother is a significant plot element that adds to the tension in some of the critical scenes. But that is NOT the focus of the movie. Rather, it is on the relationship and feelings of two typical post WW2 Japanese children in the countryside with their writer father in a "new" home. The movie skillfully focuses on Mei's and Satsuki's relationship to the wondrous world around them so well that we ourselves are transported to what our childhoods may have been like (being older, my memory of childhood is quite dim ) Totoro-O, Ssusuwatari, and Neko-bus are all great and believable creatures. Unlike the sad, war torn world and bare countryside of GtoF, the world of MNT is rich and full of life, not death. And thus, is a perfect complement to GTOF in the end.

Regardless, see this afterwards. It reinforced the notion that PEACE is desireable in a world. Nature is desireable and wondrous, and worthy of respect. And you will see (again) two little girls who ARE little girls, and have peace instead of war....
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post #17 of 86
10/11/02 at 3:20pm
Again, Woo Jae, YES. I can see why MNT might have been deliberately double-billed. It is wonderful, escapist fare.

Well, I've gone off and purchased GotF from DDD, thanks to this thread. And since I cannot view MNT afterwards as an antidote (since Fox is going to release a butchered version),...where's my Prozac??!!
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post #18 of 86
10/13/02 at 3:39pm
To Peter Kim:

Have you had a chance to see Spirited Away where you are?

Do YOU think that Disney is deliberately hamstringing the release of this movie on the screen so their (often mediocre) movies get the screen time while Spirited Away is given the shaft?

I think so, from the trailers that they released so far...

Arrghhh! And Disney holds the rights to My Neighbor Totoro (at least til 2005)!!

Makes me HOPPING MAD!!!
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post #19 of 86
10/13/02 at 4:35pm
Unfortunately, I have not yet seen Spirited Away. A too-precocious 3 year-old dampens any enthusiasm to attend theater screenings.

Quote:
Do YOU think that Disney is deliberately hamstringing the release of this movie on the screen...

Again, since I've not attended a U.S. Miyazaki screening, I'm not too familiar with what might trigger criticisms (is a large part of you disdain for the Disney treatment borne from the exclusion of an OSL track?). The following link to a Boston Globe article voices your same concern.

Boston Globe Online

As far as your question...I think it's a classic case of chicken or the egg. Plus, I'd like to think that the American audience is neither sophisticated or patient enough to digest and appreciate a paradigm shift in animation (when in reality, they've actually set the paradigm, ironically set by culling early Disney/American animation).

Ultimately, whether there is anything sinister at play, perpetrated by Disney, it is a contract that was agreed to and signed by both parties, Disney and Miyazaki. So, is Disney's apparent lack of promotion and respect in response to the the tepid response of the American taste? Or are they rationing Miyazaki to prevent cannibalization of their own product? I'm a cynic.

As far as Totoro is concerned:

Quote:
Disney did release the magical ''Kiki's Delivery Service'' to American home video shortly after purchasing those rights, and ''Totoro,'' perhaps the jewel in Ghibli's crown, is still available on a pre-Disney-deal tape (it reverts to the Mouse in 2004).

Check out www.nausicaa.net for all things Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki.
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post #20 of 86
10/14/02 at 5:55am
To Peter Kim (and anyone else who wants to read this rant):

I know about that site already and have known for a long time. Definately has helped me become aware of all thing Ghibli... :wink:

I have seen both versions (dub and sub) and found both to be worthy, with kudos going to the SUB (as it should be). They have had subtitled letterbox releases of Kiki (which I DON'T have, unfortunately) so THAT is not an overriding issue.

I just don't understand why they only released Spirited Away in 138 theatres only. How else should I interpret the fact the the movie has been out ONE MONTH already and it's only out in 138 theatres? 138! And it only broke 100 theatres in the FOURTH WEEK!

[Note: I am getting my numbers from BoxOfficeMojo website...]

It just annoys me that they HAVE the rights to release many of Miyazaki's works on DVD or VHS, and that they haven't for over 4 or more years. It's my impatient nature grating at me, I suppose....

Does anyone know how Princess Mononoke did as of 1 month in the theatres? With Spirited Away earning 2,657,000 USD (estimated) (in one month with only 138 theatres - it only broke 100 theatres this week) I am pretty sure that it's doing better.

Makes you wonder if they bought/acquired the rights just to corner the world animation market, you know? I dislike that idea even MORE than how they are releasing Spirited Away in the theatre.

Anyway, I will rewatch Spirited Away on DVD in OSL and OAR for a better feel of the movie (than it was on big screen without a distractin theatre/movie audience). And of course, I should get the Kleenex ready for GtoF when it arrives this week!
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post #21 of 86
10/14/02 at 8:38am
Well, I would have to say I don't think Disney is necessarily hamstringing Spirited Away. It is actually showing in multiple theaters in Houston, 3 of which are very large theaters. Compare that to Mononoke, which showed in one theater, which was an obscure arthouse type theater. I've also seen a total of 1 tv advertisement vs. the 0 I saw for Mononoke. Considering the total bomb that Mononoke was, it's interesting that they're actually putting more into Spirited Away.
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post #22 of 86
10/14/02 at 9:08am
Quote:
Again, since I've not attended a U.S. Miyazaki screening, I'm not too familiar with what might trigger criticisms (is a large part of you disdain for the Disney treatment borne from the exclusion of an OSL track?).


Given the low distribution of his films, that's not suprising

Quote:
It just annoys me that they HAVE the rights to release many of Miyazaki's works on DVD or VHS, and that they haven't for over 4 or more years. It's my impatient nature grating at me, I suppose....


A bunch of that is because the films aren't out in Japan yet. Since the Japanese DVDs are about double what you'd pay for the US, they don't want people buying low priced imports in their home market. However Tokuma seems more than happy to allow we US fans to buy them by including subs


Mononoke did around 2 million in about 150 theaters and had virtually no advertising

Quote:
Makes you wonder if they bought/acquired the rights just to corner the world animation market, you know?

Bingo, and because these titles are worth a TON of cash in the Asian market

Quote:
It just annoys me that they HAVE the rights to release many of Miyazaki's works on DVD or VHS, and that they haven't for over 4 or more years. It's my impatient nature grating at me, I suppose....


Buy a region free deck, or hack your DVD-ROM and have them now then
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post #23 of 86
10/14/02 at 2:37pm
Damn straight, Jeff.

I saw Spirited Away over the weekend on a friend's copy of the Hong Kong DVD - in Japanese DTS-ES no less. It's a miracle of a film, the kind of delightfully imaginative cinematic sorcery noone does.. (Enjoyed Princess Mononoke, and will see Grave of the Fireflies soon and post my thoughts in this thread when it arrives.)

Anyway, an order for the R3 DVD of Spirited Away is now in progress. Fantastic! out of four
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post #24 of 86
10/15/02 at 3:13am
Thread Starter 
I only wish that I could have enjoyed Spirited Away as much as I did Grave Of The Fireflies.

I watched this again the other night and it is in my opinion a much better film that Spirited Away, which I enjoyed.

GOTF has a better story, richer animation, better developed characters and is so much more powerful.

The animation in particular of Setsuko is amazing. The way she smiles, the way she swings her feet while sitting, the scene where she runs into the cold water at the beach, her cries when her Aunt takes her mothers kimono's etc... Setsuko is one of the best, if not THE best, animated characters ever realized.

The scene where Seita Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
places the dead body of Setsuko in the small wooden coffin with her doll and sets fire to it
was so heartbreaking that it brought me close to tears.

That an anime film can have this much power is a testament to the makers of this film.

Bravo.
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post #25 of 86
10/15/02 at 3:25am
I don't doubt you, Tino..

Anyway, my copy of GotF has shipped and I should have my initial thoughts here by the end of the week.
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post #26 of 86
10/17/02 at 1:50pm
Tino wrote:
Quote:
Yes, this is a sad, powerful extremely moving film, but not to the extreme of being unpleasant.

And when you think about it, if you take the prologue and turn it into an epilogue, which it actually is, the film is not as sad. Those of you that have seen it will know what I mean.

Exactly what I was going to suggest. After the end, start the movie over again and watch it up until it flashes back. It really makes for a beautiful and rather uplifting epilogue.
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post #27 of 86
10/17/02 at 2:02pm
My GtoF is finally shipping! should have it in a few days (prolly next week or maybe tomorrow All depends on the USPS or UPS). IMHO it is ultimately uplifting and a powerful reminder for those alive to remember the transient quality of life.
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post #28 of 86
10/17/02 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
Woo

I'm curious. Instead of waiting this long, why didn't you just buy the film at Circuit City or BestBuy? I think they both have stores in the Bronx, no? And how much did you pay, if you don't mind saying? As I said, I bought my copy at BestBuy for $19.99.

I would have paid twice that amount, btw.
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post #29 of 86
10/17/02 at 6:17pm
Well, I ordered it first on line so that's how I decided to get it. Most anime and DVD I get online anyway so it was no big deal.

19.89, - I guess I saved about a dime :p

Anyway, I get most of my purchases online due to the generally lower prices.
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post #30 of 86
11/11/02 at 12:16pm
The newer version is VERY VERY clean and is a great transfer. Just watched it this weekend for the first time, and it was just as moving (even more so since I noticed new things that I did not remember from before.) Heart breaking anime at its best.... Don't miss it.
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