Viewed on DVD. Subtitles = eight (8) stars; restoration = six (6) stars; dubbing = four (4) stars. Director Kenji Mizoguchi delivers a photo play with various plot threads based on a number of sources. Both traditional and modern. This is a fantasized view of 16th Century Japan (a turbulent time) with an unrealistic "happy" ending (see below). The ghost sub theme is by far the best executed thread. Like Hitchcock (among others), Mizoguchi demonstrates that the use of simple (and low-cost) in-camera special effects and cleaver, minimalist editing can induce aberrational apprehension without resorting to expensive, post-production technical tricks (or jump editing). Cinematography (black and white) is fine although inter-scene lighting is a bit uneven. Sound stage exteriors mostly look and sound phony (looped dialog contains echoes as if actors are re-recording their lines in a huge cavern!). Sets look and "feel" realistic for the period. Subtitles are short, to the point, and pretty much match what is spoken. Restoration missed vertical wear lines (especially toward the film's end) and age deterioration in dark scenes and when scenes fade to black. Film score effectively employs Leif Motifs to enhance scene impacts (mostly traditional singing styles and instruments are used--an extra treat!). As for the contrived ending, a question: If you were once a peasant who escaped in effect servitude and achieved great militaristic fame and fortune, would you chuck it all, reunite with your estranged spouse, and return to peasantry? Only in the movies! WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
Review of Ugetsu
