Rating: 
Summary: Truly Another Point of View
Review: Because of how the country of Japan may have behaved durring the second World War, there may be some people out there who might close their hearts to pity towards the many who suffered the bombings. Sadly they fail to see that many innocent people, such as the little girl Setsuko, suffered needlessly because of the nation's leaders. Generally they tend to criticize the nation of that time as a whole, not excluding the people who had no say and that were dragged along with it. Some might even say this film was made to justify what they did. The point of this movie is not to justify or bash anyone. It's merely to show how the people caught in the middle suffer without having to because of other's pride and arrogance. This situation can happen anywhere and we must be aware of it. When people watch this film, it is sure to show war through a different perspective. It will stir and tug at the emotions from different directions. It changed my veiw of war completely, and I hope that when people watch this film they might think twice before they begin with their "serves 'em right" mentality about other countries.
Rating: 
Summary: Sad and beautiful
Review: Children are sensitive and vulnerable. The people during the war were made to believe that enduring the hardships would support the country and eventually bring happiness. They were naive (mainly due to lack of information) and thought their country was doing the right thing. But, when the war ended (or I should say when they lost the war), the people finally learned what actually had been happening and, as a result, had to change their view 180 degree to accept the notion that their enemies were in fact the good guys and won. The adults and smaller chilren were able to adjust better than the children around Seita's age. Many adults were old enough to accept the fact. Small children did not understand too much. But, it was especially hard for children in Seita's age who were in adolescence (half child and half adult) to flip-flop their views and go on their lives. Without any adult's mental support, it was even more devastating for Seita to have lost his parents and to see his little sister pass away. After Setsulo's death, Seita must have lost reason for trying to survive. This film is more powerful than any other war fils that have spectacular battle scenes. I highly recommend this film.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most heart-wrenching films I have ever seen.
Review: This film begins with tragedy and doesn't let up once. Every chance it gets to jack up the pathos level it takes. By the end of this film I came very close to crying -- and I never cry over films. Particularly heart-wrenching is the symbolism. The 14-year-old boy in effect kills his 4-year-old sister because of stubborn, stupid pride. He may dote on her, but he kills her nonetheless. This alone is tragic, but when you consider that both of these children die, in the end, because of the stupid, stubborn pride of their nation's leaders, the magnitude of the story suddenly hits you between the eyes. Watch this film once. Watch it again. It will never leave you thereafter.
Rating:
Summary: There's nothing like it
Review: There is just no other movie like this. It is beautiful, heart-breaking, thoughtful all at once. It captures the vulnerability of childhood and the inhumanity of people when society begins to crack at the seams. I really think it's one of the best movies ever made, period.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: i cried and cried and cried (and i've never cried during a film, good thing i saw it alone)...the most moving film i have ever seen...brilliantly done. the best anti-war film i have ever seen. see it and you will never think about war the same way again.
Rating:
Summary: This is an Antiwar film that's REALLY antiwar
Review: A lot of so-called "anti-war" films have been produced that just seem to send a message that war against certain people is futile - "Better Red than Dead" seems to be the theme of many of them. However, "Grave of the Fireflies" has nothing to do with sides in a war - it shows the suffering a war can bring, both physical and social, and although the film is set in Japan, the story could be anywhere. There aren't any good guys or bad guys - there are just people getting hurt bad. Anybody who thinks bombing is a good way of accomplishing ANYTHING should see this film.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie..needed good fight scenes though
Review: But seriously, possibly the most depressing anime ever made. I've only seen low reviews for those who can't see past the fact the Japan was our enemy during the war. Would it have made any difference if the setting was an allie's country and not an enemy's. Don't be thus misguided, this movie is anything but anti-american propaganda. Never was an american shown, and the atrocities that the protagonist endures were due to conditions engendered by war and inordinate pride. It's a protrayal of an abject existence of members of the public and not about the military motivation behind the war. A powerful movie evoking strong emotions like few movies can. p.s. One last bit of ranting, I've seen many people reviewed this as "definitely not for kids" and such due to it's intense nature. Since when is stong feelings of compassion and sympathy detrimental to children's normal development. Highly recommended movie.
Rating:
Summary: beautifully heartbreaking
Review: I have been a big fan of anime for many years now, but nothing could have prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster this movie was to take me on. I originally saw this movie about five or six years ago, and have seen it about 10 or 12 times in total. Although the experience is now much less powerful than it was the first time, i still find myself caught up in it. It has the power to make you feel happy when Setsuko and Seita feel happy, and when things finally take a turn for the worst, it dumps you right down there with them.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Story That Left Me In Tears...
Review: if I could give it 10 stars... I would
Rating:
Summary: I wonder how all the Americans give it five stars
Review: It's sad, and it's about anti-war. However couldn't you see what the behind it has? This movie didn't talk about what the Japanese did wrong. I hope the viewers from the world have to bear that in mind at least, and then you can enjoy it. I also loved watching it, and almost dropped tears. You can be anti-war and enjoy this anime, but don't forget what they did during the war. period.
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