Search - Kwaidan [Widescreen] [Criterion Collection] on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1964 DVD Release: 10/10/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: Japanese Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 41 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 22 Genres: Fantasy, Period Film, Costume Horror

Kwaidan is an impressively mounted anthology horror film based on four stories by Lafcadio Hearn, a Greek-born writer who began his career in the United States at the age of 19 and moved permanently to Japan in 1890 at the age of 40, where he eventually became a subject of the empire and took on the name Koizumi Yakuno. Hearn became a conduit of Japanese culture to western audiences, publishing journalism and then fiction incorporating traditional Japanese themes and characters. "Black Hair," the first tale, concerns a samurai who cannot support his wife; he leaves her for a life of wealth and ease with a princess. Returning years later, he spends the night with his wife in their now-dilapidated house, only to awake to a horrifying discovery which drives him insane. In "The Woman of the Snow" (deleted from U.S. theatrical prints after the film's Los Angeles opening; it is on the DVD version), two woodcutters seek refuge during a snowstorm in what appears to be an abandoned hut. A snow witch appears and kills one of them but lets his partner free. Years later, the survivor meets and married a lovely young woman, only to learn her true identity. The most visually impressive tale is "Hoichi the Earless," in which a blind musician is asked by the ghost of a samurai to play for his late infant lord at a tomb. The monks who house the musician cover him with tattoos to prevent any harm coming to him, but they forget his ears. He returns from the engagement with his ears cut off; however, his misadventure propels him to fame. "In a Cup of Tea" concerns a samurai who is haunted by the vision of a man he sees reflected in his tea. Even after he drinks from the cup, he still sees the man while on guard duty. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide

Rentaro Mikuni - Samurai
Michiyo Aratama - First Wife
Misako Watanabe - Second Wife
Keiko Kishi
Tetsuro Tamba - Michi
Tatsuya Nakadai - Woodcutter
Katsuo Nakamura - Hoichi

Masaki Kobayashi's stylish horror film Kwaidan comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The Japanese soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. Although there are few extras, the quality of the sound and picture on this release continue to show why Criterion is one of the best names in DVD. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide