Rating: 
Summary: One of my all-time favorites!
Review:
I was confused by some of the reviewers who say that this movie is slow-paced. I was absolutely mesmerized for the entire movie. The Snow Queen was my favorite out of the four stories. The studio-created scenes are fantastic and add to the hypnotic effect. The scene of the Snow Queen draining the life out of the old wood-chopper was chilling(no pun intended)and kept me riveted to my seat. All of the other stories were top-notch as well. By far the most interesting collection of ghost stories that I have seen, I recommend this movie to anyone interested in a temporary escape from reality. The beautifully painted sets, the dramatic music, and the tragic nature of the stories all contributed to an eerie, trance-like viewing. This is definitely one of my favorite movies.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest "Art House" Horror Film
Review: "Kwaidan" is a cinematic masterpiece of the horror genre which, unfortunately, is not nearly as well known to genre fans as it should be. In my view it ranks with Werner Herzog's 1979 re-make of "Nosferatu" as the finest horror film ever made in color. Part of the reason for "Kwaidan"'s obscurity is its national origin (though, strangely enough, the Japanese folktales which form its basis were written by an American expatriate, Lafcadio Hearn). Yet even in Japan, the film was a commercial flop, despite superlatives from critics. More likely, the obscurity of "Kwaidan" derives from its artistry; viewers who come to it for the first time will probably be only marginally aware that they're seeing horror at all. Search in vain for gore and special effects; the film almost recalls Val Lewton's old classics in its reliance on suggestion. As an anthology, moreover, "Kwaidan" is in the same league as the 1946 British film, "Dead of Night," except that it has no over-arching "frame" device to tie the stories together. All four films which make it up are essentially revenge plots: simple and straightforward, like most folktales, though I would like to mention a personal favorite: "Yuki-Onna," whose surrealist account of a female vampire awed me with its weird snow-scapes and eerie soundtrack. By all means, see "Kwaidan" if you have any curiosity at all about horror as viewed through the lens of an artistic master; I only wish American directors had a comparable interest in quality.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest "Art House" Horror Film
Review: "Kwaidan" is a cinematic masterpiece of the horror genre which, unfortunately, is not nearly as well known to genre fans as it should be. In my view it ranks with Werner Herzog's 1979 re-make of "Nosferatu" as the finest horror film ever made in color. Part of the reason for "Kwaidan"'s obscurity is its national origin (though, strangely enough, the Japanese folktales which form its basis were written by an American expatriate, Lafcadio Hearn). Yet even in Japan, the film was a commercial flop, despite superlatives from critics. More likely, the obscurity of "Kwaidan" derives from its artistry; viewers who come to it for the first time will probably be only marginally aware that they're seeing horror at all. Search in vain for gore and special effects; the film almost recalls Val Lewton's old classics in its reliance on suggestion. As an anthology, moreover, "Kwaidan" is in the same league as the 1946 British film, "Dead of Night," except that it has no over-arching "frame" device to tie the stories together. All four films which make it up are essentially revenge plots: simple and straightforward, like most folktales, though I would like to mention a personal favorite: "Yuki-Onna," whose surrealist account of a female vampire awed me with its weird snow-scapes and eerie soundtrack. By all means, see "Kwaidan" if you have any curiosity at all about horror as viewed through the lens of an artistic master; I only wish American directors had a comparable interest in quality.
Rating: 
Summary: A Visual Treat..
Review: A subtle and haunting quartet of ghost stories presented with some of the most amazing visuals I have seen in a movie. Uses unusual techniques to enhance the atmosphere of un-ease ('selectively' post-dubbed sound, vast and detailed studio sets etc..) The directors art training shines through in the flawless shot compositions.Criterion have provided us with a near perfect print to enjoy this movie, colours are stunning with only some minor print damage to detract (occasional vertical scratches.) Recommended - A good disc of an outstanding film.
Rating:
Summary: This is superb
Review: A true gem of a film! Every single picture is a painting of dashing colour and haunting atmosphere, and there are images in it that follow you through days and nights. I've hardly ever seen anything equalling the battle scene in the "Hoichi the Earless" chapter. The ghost stories are very traditional und might have come just as well from Europe, but the Japanese teach you the difference between a truly frightening and a simply grossing out or gruelling film. Look into the face of the snow woman und you'll know what I mean.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful work!
Review: Anthology of ghost stories adapted from Lafcadio Hearn , American writer who lived in Japan .
Visually stunning.
The third chapter is the best. It turns around a poet who must create a epic poem about an ancient battle dictated for the leader of this dead regiment, killed in action, who emerges from the ashes to find out someone who reminds always the echoes of that bloody combat.
Extraordinary!
Rating:
Summary: An atmospheric horror film
Review: As a positive comparison, "Kwaidan" reminds me of the TV series "Night Gallery;" each segment in this horror anthology is like a painting come to chilling life. Color and setting are characters playing important roles. Composed of four unrelated chapters, "Kwaidan" clearly finds it's roots in traditional Japanese theater. Rather than cinematic, the stories are theatrical. The pace is slow, patient and haunting. Stage lighting and costumes are used, although the camera work is film like. It is not a filmed stage play, but instead has elements of both film and stage. Some familiarity with Japanese folklore and history would be helpful when viewing "Kwaidan." The third story, "Hoichi the Earless," deals with the battle of the Genji and Heike clans which is familiar to any Japanese person. Also, the way and means of protecting yourself against spirits is different in Eastern traditions. The second tale, "The Woman in the Snow," is a Japanese vampire tale, and remains my favorite of the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: An atmospheric horror film
Review: As a positive comparison, "Kwaidan" reminds me of the TV series "Night Gallery;" each segment in this horror anthology is like a painting come to chilling life. Color and setting are characters playing important roles. Composed of four unrelated chapters, "Kwaidan" clearly finds it's roots in traditional Japanese theater. Rather than cinematic, the stories are theatrical. The pace is slow, patient and haunting. Stage lighting and costumes are used, although the camera work is film like. It is not a filmed stage play, but instead has elements of both film and stage. Some familiarity with Japanese folklore and history would be helpful when viewing "Kwaidan." The third story, "Hoichi the Earless," deals with the battle of the Genji and Heike clans which is familiar to any Japanese person. Also, the way and means of protecting yourself against spirits is different in Eastern traditions. The second tale, "The Woman in the Snow," is a Japanese vampire tale, and remains my favorite of the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Artists, You Will Be Knocked Out By This Film!
Review: Be still my heart! This is finally out on DVD! I've only seen it on video and even there it was a masterpiece of visual art. Not that it doesn't work as ghost stories. It does. However, this is not the "scare you out of your mind" type ghost story. Instead, these are the most artistically rendered ghost stories that you could possibly imagine. The cinematographer and director work with a harmony rarely seen in film so they can deliver a surreal tour de force to your home entertainment center. Although this was made in the 1960s, it holds up to any time period and will not strike you as the least bit dated. We cannot say that of many films made in the '60s, alas. Even if you are not an artist, it is hard for me to imagine anyone not being taken by this film, which I consider flawless in every regard.
Rating:
Summary: .
Review: Fine, fine movie; sometimes I like Kobayashi even better than Akira Kurosawa. This movie reminded me of Kurosawa's "Dreams," only it is 4 ghost stories rather than 8 (was it 8?) vignettes. The visual style is coloful, surreal, and deliciously imaginative, and the emotional and aesthetic atmospheres could be described exactly the same way. An incredible and bizarre soundtrack aids the film further yet. The only weakness is that it's a bit slow on the start-up; the first tale is good, but a bit simplistic to serve as a kick-off, and the second tale, despite some amazing visual imagery, is the least satisfying of the four. The third is excellent (although you have to change tapes halfway through it, grr), and the fourth is wonderful as well -- if it were a little longer, and more complete, it would be my favorite. All in all a fine, unusual, and rewarding atmospheric Japanese film.
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