Title: Grave of the Fireflies
Genre: Animation, Drama, War
Director: Isao Takahata
Cast: Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi
Release: 1988-04-16
Runtime: 89
Plot: In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. After a falling out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and their emergency rations depleted, Seita and Setsuko struggle to survive.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! :star::star::star::star:
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! :star::star::star::star: