Grave of the Fireflies

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps one of the best films ever made.
Review: This film is simply amazing. I wont burden you with a plot synopsis, that can easily be found on this page. Easily my favorite movie of all time, Grave is second to none. The story itself is so moving that the film could have been presented as a slideshow of stick figures and I would still give it 5 stars. But the story is only the beginning. The delivery is done so well, it's disgusting how effective this movie is. Painstaking detail abounds in every scene. The animation quality is excellent (although the DVD version could be a little better), and the sound quality is also amazing. The dvd version features both subbed and dubbed versions...which is a plus for all anime fans. However, the voice acting is very well done...and is great for when you are showing the movie to friends/family. (I usually watch the subbed version, and show non-anime fans the dubbed version). The music is beautiful, kicking in at just the right moments. Grave is one of those movies you can watch multiple times, and always find something new each time. Its so difficult to review this film...just buy it, and experience the glory that is Grave of the Fireflies

Rating:
Summary: What you may not like about this movie...
Review: What you will not like about this movie is bawling in front of your friends. Make sure to bring a box of tissues. There is no way to help the characters in the film even though you'll want to so badly. If you're looking for super-duper latest-technology video, it isn't this DVD. It's muted and subtle, like this kind of movie has to be. It's in stereo only, but clearly lovingly made. You will feel renewed antipathy for the self-righteous (the aunt) and those that speak of the "necessity" of war.

I think everyone should watch (and understand) a movie like this sometime in their lives so that hopefully, fewer people have to experience it.

Rating:
Summary: a film classic
Review: A film that transcends the genre of animation. As a teacher, I've shown it often in classes of American students studying in Japan.

Just one correction to the Amazon review--the firebombing depicted in the movie is not of Tokyo, but of the city of Kobe. The author of the original story (Akiyuki NOSAKA) experienced this as a child. His own sister died of hunger in the last months of the war.

Rating:
Summary: Something Beyond Reality
Review: This is an impossible to describe film. I've read one review that states it as being the type of movie that once a year, you have the courage to take down off the shelf and watch again. Perhaps even less time. But this movie is essential. If you have any shadow of emotion in you, it will touch your heart.

The story is a tragedy wrought by war. A side of war that no one ever sees. What do you do when you're orphaned? Left in the world without a single belonging, and everyone is your enemy? Especially when you're a child? Seita, the 'hero,' you find yourself empathizing with in a way that you could never do with Hollywood stars. His overwhelming love for his younger sister, Setsuko, pushes him to do things that he probably never would do to save himself. With the two of them left alone in a chaotic war zone, he tries to his utmost to give his sister the life she deserves.

Poignant story telling, Grave of the Fireflies is a masterpiece that you would never find in America. No one here is brave enough to tell it.

Rating:
Summary: An Emotion Drama that Goes Straight for the Heart!
Review: When I finished watching "Grave of the Fireflies" I had used most of a box of tissues and I was still crying. Never befor have I seen such a powerful and Emotional film! Historical Acurate this tale is almost reminisent of a Charles Dickens novel. Set in 1945 we see the stroy through eyes of the main character a young boy whom must watch over his young sister after there moter passes away in a bombing raid. From this point on we see the joys, sorrows, charity, selfishness and pride this young boy expirences. This is a must see fil for any one who likes a historical drama. If you enjoyed "Life is Beautiful" then you will love this film even more. Nothing can keep you from crying in this film. I also admired the perception of war the director shows us. Not from the standard view of a soldier suffering and dying but instead innocent people whom have no choice or power to change the events around them. This video is worth any price you can find it at and belongs in everyones video collection. Though this film is rated PG I highly suggest that parents sit down with there children while they watch this for they will certainly ask many questions and there are some shocking scenes of the aftermath of an airraid bombing. Not since "Shindler's List' have I seen a film as powerful as this about World War II.

Rating:
Summary: How can you not shed at least a tear?
Review: Very few movies in any format have ever caused me to reevaluate many of the decisions I have made in my life, and this is one of them. I saw this movie a few months ago, and although I didn't cry my heart out, I did have to wipe my eyes a few times. The music, the artwork, the voices, everything, was perfect. In fact, the only two flaws in this movie are that it hasn't been shown to everyone yet, and the fact that it had to be made. My grade 9 english teacher once said a few years ago, 'One war is too many' and one movie like this is too many. But war exists, and this movie must be made to remind those who don't think they care that war doesn't just affect the soldiers, but the innocent people who want nothing to do with war.

Rating:
Summary: Subtle and poignant film
Review: The director, fortunately, foregoes politics in this film: the Americans are not demonized as their bombs rain on Japan; neither is the Japanese government demonized for what it did. The movie is much more subtle than anti-war animation like _The Iron Giant._ The symbolism works surprisingly well; comparing the characters' lives to fireflies is very effective. Overall, a sad and touching film.

Rating:
Summary: A Must See Film
Review: Grave of the Fireflies is a very well written, superbly drawn film. The story is touching and realistic. Everyone should see this film at least once. Even people who aren't fans of anime or other animated media can appreciate it. It has a very strong, moving message, and relates a tale of human courage and strength that should not be missed.

Rating:
Summary: Wrought with emotion
Review: A storm ravages the countryside, rain pelting the ground like giant teardrops as the wind wails, piercing the air with its howls like the moans of grief. And yet in a cave silence shouts its fiercest cry as a boy cradles his dead sister in his arms, achingly quiet, achingly alone, while nature voices his pain and loss. As we watch we share and feel the grief this boy goes through. As we watch we too feel the loss of the most important thing this boy possessed; the love and the hope he had instilled within his bond with his baby sister. As we watch we are torn asunder by the power of emotion "The Grave of the Fireflies" has wrought.

No other movie I have seen evinces with such clarity the tangibility of emotion its characters possess. Whether real or animated no other movie has moved me as this one has. Set in the waning days of World War II, we are allowed to partake in a journey taken by a fourteen-year old boy, Seita, and his four-year old sister, Setsuko, victims of the devastation, which ravaged their home and family.

The story unfolds with Seita making his final journey in a train station awaiting his death. From the very beginning it is apparent that this story is a tragedy. It is also apparent that this story is about love and the bond between these two children that even war and death could not break.

The true beauty of this film lies in its more than realistic view of its portrayal if these two children. So real is this portrayal one can almost forget that they are animated. But yet it seems essential that this film should be animated. Only within the confines of animation can the true essence of this film shine. That essence is the emotion this film has wrought from its characters and its audience. If there should be any film to save to watch with your loved ones, this should be it.

Rating:
Summary: It deserved 6 stars...
Review: This film is a true gem in animation. The drawings are detailed, wonderfull in colour and in almost all shots of the movie they qualify for the description 'art'. The story of "The Grave of the Fireflies" takes place near the end of World War II in Japan, where two kids (an older brother with his younger sister) have to survive on their own. I've never seen an animated feature with so much character devellopment, truly moving plot-shifts and emotion. It's almost unbelievable someone really drew it all. Lots of live-action films don't even have the story-telling power of this film.

Unfortunately the DVD quality is lacking a lot. The picture is blurry, suffers for colour-banding from time to time and the sound could have been much better. The transfer is non-anamorphic, which is a shame since a good anamorphic transfer always has such a great influence on picture quality in animation films. (Like the great looking Prince of Egypt or The Iron Giant).

I would have given it 6 stars if that was possible here at Amazon.com and the picture quality was better. Now however, I still give it 4. And believe me: Those are four truly shining stars.