Kwaidan [Blu-ray]

I am 60 years of age and dying from kidney cancer and severe heart disease. One of my favorite thing that I love to do is readingnon-fiction books (Christian); history; ancient biblical archaeology and cultural anthropology. I also love watching foriegn films.Kwaidan is a Japanese (4) story horror movie which is excellent and I have been watching this movie since I was a little girl.the translation is "ghost story" Kwaidan. is a 1964 Japanese portmanteau film directed by Masaki Kobayashi; the title means 'ghoststory'. It is based on stories from Lafcadio Hearn's collections of Japanese folk tales. The film consists of four separate and unrelated stories. Kwaidan is the archaic transliteration of Kaidan, meaning "ghost story". It won the Special Jury Prize at the 1965 Cannes Film Festival[1] and an Academy Award nomination. Kaidan is a Japanese word consisting of two kanji. In its broadest sense, kaidan refers to any ghost or horror story, but it has an old-fashioned ring to it that carries the connotation of Edo period Japanese folktales. Kaidan may have been influenced by its Chinese counterpart, a collection of ghost stories known as Liaozhaizhiyi , or more popularly known as Liaozhai. The term is no longer as widely used in Japanese as it once was: Japanese horror books and films such as Ju-on and Ring would more likely be labeled by the katakana horā ("horror") or the standard Japanese kowai hanashi Kaidan is only used if the author/director wishes to specifically bring an old-fashioned air into the story. It is anunusual ghost stories - nothing like the so called horror movies that you would find in the states. There are a lot of lessons to belearned after watching these stories. I loved Kwaidan, but, you would have to appreciate foriegn films and especially foriegn horrorfilms. This is not a episode of slasher movies. These 4 stories all have to do with the "SUPERNATURAL"!!! and it is all subtitledin english. I hope you enjoy it.

I just watched the blu-ray, not knowing that the earlier version I'd seen had cut the 183 minute film down to 161 minutes.  Kwaidan (The Criterion Collection)  In addition to the marvelous lighting, the set design, acting, and soundtrack that other people have noted, I find the camera movements and angles to be gripping. My camera movements recur from story to story, giving the film a lot of unity even as it drives to the unfinished last story. The Criterion blu-ray transfer is spectacular. The vibrant colors really are vibrant. I almost passed on this during a recent sale, but Im so happy I decided to order. It's a film I plan to watch again many times. I also bought the book by Lafcadio Hearn on which the film is based.  Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things

Kwaidan means "Ghost stories" in Japanese. This collection of stories is a mixed lot, but the cost of the DVD is justified by the story "Hodji the Earless," all by itself. A young blind Buddhist monk is tasked to sing a ballad about a far distant battle in which a boy-emperor dies. Unknown to him, the high nobles to whom he recites the tale are the ghosts of those who died in the battle he sings about.

One of the most beautifully photographed and acted Japanese films of all time. I have the old standard DVD version in the States and now the new on my computer here in France. When I return to the USA, I will order the latest Blu-ray...and, buy my first Blu-ray player. Might give you an idea of how much I appreciate this single film. A brilliant production in every way. Unforgettable!

Lovely mise-en-scene. To think everything was done on a set, including a realistic snowstorm!. Very connected to traditional theatre and painting. In fact, paintings are intercut with the actions of battle scenes. Sumptuous and slow-paced. Lovely background music, make-up, costumes, acting. Lovely dolly-in and out shots. Creates an appreciation of Japan.

At last the complete 183 minute movie has been released on Blu-ray! The director, Masaki Kobayashi, has created four cinematic paintings from an anthology of four stories collected by Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo). This should by no means be considered as horror but rather a highly artistic film meant to show the link between the spiritual and the material world. The transfer is stellar and Toru Takemitsu's wonderful soundtrack is given full fidelity. The extras are wonderful, including an excerpt of an interview with the director, another interview with assistant director Kiyoshi Ogasawara, a short documentary on Lafcadio Hearn, and an informative commentary by Stephen Prince.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  Kobayashi's KWAIDEN is an anthology horror film comprising of four very different stories. All of them are compelling and jaw-droppingly stunning. The tales come across as fairytales and that feeds into the whole atmosphere of the film.What really grabbed me was the meticulous nature of the film. The set design is odd and otherworldly. These indoor sets are grand and haunting. The sparse score is unusual, yet incredibly fitting. The use of light is wonderful and the change of a colour can completely alter the scene.Kwaiden is an utter masterpiece that deserves this lavish limited edition packaging. If you are unsure about getting this, don't be. Buy it now and get ready for 3 hours of pure cinematic joy.

This film doesn't need reviewing yet again - it's a classic - so I'll just stick to the presentation. It comes in a strong, hardback slipcase, has a reversible cover and comes with a stunning accompanying book. Four short source folklore stories by Lafcadio Hearn, a conversation with director Kobayashi from 1993 and a 2020 appraisal by film scholar Craig Ian Mann and some lovely production stills/promo shots.Beautiful 2k restoration and a bunch of other extras on the disc. Well worth an upgrade to Blu-ray.

Well it's an awesome upgrade from dvd of an understated classic! All the fans should have it as the bluray picture and audio quality is second to none!

So glad I ordered 'Kwaidan' blu ray. The four short films are so refreshing compared to some releases in recent times.The hand painted sets and physical effects are absolutely gorgeous and compliment the stories and acting seemlessly.Best to watch the films in complete peace and quiet and darkness to appreciate the exquisite lighting, ghostly sound-effects, music, dialogue and whispers.A true classic for collectors and general audience alike.

Bought as a present,glad I ordered when I did as its not available now.