Kwaidan (1965)

Kwaidan is one of those films I always wanted to see. In fact, quite a few times I've come this close to blind-buying it, but my willpower miraculously swelled up and prevented it. Finally I get to see it, and surprisingly, it's very much worth the wait.

It's basically an anthology of four short works of Japanese horror. In fact, it reminded me of the Scary Stories books that I used to read in elementary school. But, the stories themselves are told in a very distinctly Japanese style, and it works extremely well. Each segment is brooding and unnerving, and hits all the right notes. The stories function almost like fables, as a man learns the hard way to respect his wife, while another man learns to respect the dead. But, the films are more terrifying than preachy. I can't stress enough how well the mood is developed. They're very Japanese in terms of pacing and atmosphere, that is to say many long, still shots and minimal music and decoration. But, because things are usually so still and silent, the moments of shock and horror are that much more effective, punctuated by a brash note on the flute or biwa.

The sets aren't very realistic, the backdrops especially, but they work very well in the context of the film. This is a world that accepts spirits and ghosts as they intermingle with ordinary human beings, so having a backdrop that looks otherworldly perfectly establishes this universe.

The editing rhythms are great, I noticed. There's one scene early on, after a man has left his wife and takes up living with another, wealthier woman. He's riding a horse, participating in some kind of athletic competition, and the action is beautifully contrasted with the man's vivid memories of his previous life, his home and his wife. Essentially, we're seeing him consumed by his memories and his own guilt. It's great, great stuff.