Grave of the Fireflies (Collector's Edition

[Charlespg]

I was thinking of getting this dvd {I have seen the movie}. because of the Historical Perspective disscused after the movie and the fact that it a sad but excellent little movie and would like to get the opinions freepers who have it

[The_Reader_David]

Grave of the Fireflies is a truly excellent film. It is the only movie, ever, live action or animated, to actually bring me to tears.

[Darkwolf377]

I liked it, and liked some of the realistic depiction of the kid's life alone. But I have to say I was underwhelmed. I'm very reluctant to watch animated movies, so they have to be very special. This one DID have enough of a story to hold my interest but visually, I'm just not into these limited animation things, and ultimately it didn't really say anything new.

The audience I'd recommend it to would be bright middle schoolers who're sophisticated enough to read Night or The Diary of Anne Frank--this isn't about the Holocaust but it might have some appeal to such kids.

[Borges]

It's the events of WW2 told from the Japanese point of view and it's very sad indeed.

[zook]

I have the older edition and it's a great animated film. I use it in my teaching. I won't say too much, because I don't want to spoil it, but I have to say that for me, this is *not* an anti-war, let alone an anti-American, film.

I would also encourage you or anyone else viewing "Fireflies" to read "Leaves From An Autumn Of Emergencies: Selections From The Wartime Diaries Of Ordinary Japanese" by Samuel Hideo. It helps a lot to understand the historical context.

[Borges]

Roger Ebert called it one of the best War films ever made!

[Darkwolf377]

I don't think I've ever agreed with Ebert. In fact, I think he's a terrible critic. But don't let that scare ya off if you think the movie might be of interest.

[Borges]

Oh I've seen it. At his best he was terrific but he's been in serious decline for the better part of a decade. Especially with new movies listen to his audio commentaries on the Citizen Kane or Casablanca DVDs to hear him at his best.

[Darkwolf377]

I'm not saying anyone else can't love him, but I find Ebert's tastes pedestrian, and his facts are often wrong. I couldn't imagine listening to a commentary from him; I heard a little of his "Dark City" one and was laughing out loud when he tried to explain away the sucky FX at the climax as "being INTENTIONALLY fake". Wouldn't do to have to alter his opinion of that pretty bad movie's quality when he'd already called it the best movie of its year. His knowledge of film isn't very deep, he's just watched a ton of movies and passed on the accepted wisdom about them. IMHO, of course.

[Borges]

Again with new movies he's iffy. But the two I mentioned are among the best commentaries I've ever heard. And compared to the current crop of film critics he's a cieneaste extraordinaire. Most 'critics' today never heard of Howard Hawks much less Ozu.

[Andyman]

It is a stunningly good movie. Get it.

[Charlespg]

thanks

[RSteyn]

Fireflies is worth owning--but it was considered so downbeat that it was released with "My Neighbor Totoro", which was probably a good idea. Totoro is a wonderful movie, not like anything else, distinctly Japanese, and no cat person will ever forget the Neko Bus.

Ghibli Studio animation is extraordinary stuff.

[hypocritter]

It's truly a memorable story, but I don't know if I'd watch it again.