Absolutely the worst movie.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The acting in this movie is really good.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Ugetsu is a moral tale that if you chase finance and status, as opposed to love and family, it will ruin both you and others. Genjuro and Tobei are two neighbours in a tiny village that make ceramics together. When their village is invaded by the army, they flee by boat across river, in order that their goods might be sold without losing profit, leaving their wives and children behind. By chance they both reach positions of power, Genjuro, due to his ceramic skills, finds favour with the Princess and weds her, while Tobei earns enough money to buy his way into the Samurai, before earning the high position of Chief when he falsely claims the kill of another man. It is quite pointed and melodramatic, but I enjoyed the trip back in time to a vastly different culture, even if the events themselves were not pleasant. The shadowy lighting, along with the spiritual elements of ghosts and dreams, effectively create an enchanting mood.

(Flash Review)Taking place in 16th Century Japan, this is a tale of a couple foolish men who lose sight of what matters in life in hopes of making some big cash in the city or enhancing their personal pride or station in life by becoming a Samurai. There is much strife during this time as it takes place during the Japanese Civil Wars. These men, who are potters, risk their lives to get to the city to sell them, during war time, or abandon their trade and blow money on armor and a sword to appear to be a Samurai while leaving their family in the lurch. What this film attempts to present and teach is the lust of money and status is the wrong core focus to have in life. Will these men learn these lessons before it is too late? The film has solid cinematography and a score with character. The scenes are pretty straight forward with medium tension now and then. An interesting little film from in 50's from Japan yet not has impactful as an Akira Kurosawa film.

UGETSU is the war drama, which contains extremely strong symbolism and quite strange charm. It is likely that this contributed to a combination of a realistic war drama and spiritual fantasy. This movie is difficult to understand, and should give him time. I have endured to the end, and concluded that this movie is exotic masterpiece. Set in the province of Omi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period at the end of the 16th century. The protagonists are two poor peasants, who in spite of the civil war that rages around them are trying to gain fame and fortune, one such dealer and the other as a samurai, which will lead to tragic consequences for their wives and pull rage spirits. The film is dominated by long scenes and a whole wins and impressive atmosphere, as well as the effective use of excellent music and indescribable atmosphere and photography. It is a masterfully orchestrated, highly poetic, layered and visually impressive film. The film examines the infidelity, ambition and greed. As a crude awakening coming peace and satisfaction regardless of the situation. In the film's present strong affirmation of women's sacrifice and devotion to the family and thus criticism of egotistical male ambition, especially in a patriarchal society.Well,...this film shares some elements with Rashomon. Acting is emotional and intriguing. Music is magical and creepy at the same time. I'm thrilled. World! The world is very agitated and disturbed.

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.