Grave Of The Fireflies [DVD]

If you think all animated films are cartoons, then this will be the film to change your mind, this is a deeply touching movie that happens to be animated, this film is closer to Shindler's list than to any Disney film, also if you are expecting a ' Spirited Away [DVD ]' or a ' Kiki's Delivery Service [DVD ]' then you will be surprised, this is not a fantastical journey, there are no talking cats, or troublesome witches, this is a serious drama with a real thought provoking message. I have to say that this has got to be the most emotional film I have EVER seen! Never has a film made me fill up quite this much, not even when I watched Watership down in primary school, when I was eight. I am at a loss... I was So drained from watching this! This made a 30yo skinhead 'bloke' cry, I had to really force my self to watch the end of this film not because it has any faults in the style or plot, but rather from the outset you know what is going to happen and I realised that the story had drawn me in so deeply and I knew what it was going to do to me... Glad I did watch to the end, it is rare to find a film of this genre that can move so many people to tears, it is a film that can really tug at your emotional chords with such precision and vigour, I really don't think I will be able to see fruit sweets again without flashbacks! An absolutely astounding film. I may suggest that perhaps you rent this title, unless like me you like lending DVD's out, I think a lot of the 5-star reviewers would also agree, that this is not a film I can see me ever watching again, like I said this is one of the greatest films I have ever watched, but it was so good, that the film will always be with me, I will never be able to forget Seito and Sweet Setsuko, the little sister I think we all wished we had... But this is a must see for any fan of cinema, not just Ghibli, this is a master class in cinema, in drawing your audience in, making them empathise with the characters and ultimately making them genuinely feel something. This film has changed me, I don't know how, but it has, I think it has put a lot in my life in to perspective, and 2 months on from seeing this film I have just shed another tear for it. This really is a must see/buy, it is dubbed which I know is important to some people, but I think seeing this in its original Japanese added something for me, I think a number of people would disagree with me, but few would say that you shouldn't watch it. Do note though that if I were you I would make sure I had a comedy film to follow this, or at least a more light hearted film, as you do not want to end your night with the emotions that this will draw from you.

I have to say, this was one amazing piece of work, I'm a big fan of finding movies or series which step outside the normal shooter or comedy and this was just what i needed. First of, don't be put of by the art style, i admit i am never put off by art style but equally it did delay my watching of the movie as i began to prioritise more modern ones first, and whilst none of them was bad by any means, i only can say i was a fool to delay this one. The film was actually produced in the late 80's to early 90's so it does have some time behind it so of course its art was different. The story focus is a unique and great idea, the story is set in the late years of WW2, shortly before Japan surrender but during the bombings they was suffering, the focus is on two siblings who no longer have a home or money and are surviving through just trying to live. The story covers the hardships they face, the luxury that food is and the desperate things we will do to get it, the toughness of illness and pain of loosing people both close to us and strangers, it truly is a story of emotions. The story isn't actually focused on the war itself as opposed to them suffering the effects, this was unique as when you hear a movie based on war, you picture guns and such, this is how the civilians and innocent people pull through. The story is so well done, the animation is quite nice but the hats off goes to the characters, they feel so real in how they behave and their emotions, when you laugh, you smile and as time goes on, their tears become your sadness, it truly is a masterpiece of writing here. I watched with the original Japanese cast so can't speak for the english voices but the voice cast was amazing. This is a brilliant watch if you have a night in with nothing much going on and want to watch a good movie with more than just some guns shooting or cheesy jokes. I should mention, the movie is listed as 12, i do recommend this, whilst there is no real bad language, no nudity and only basic scenes of violence (bombings and such), the themes are quite real and do have some focus on death and how it effects people, so it could be a bit sad or hard to understand for much younger than 10.

Although this is age rated and has some violence and gore, that doesn't prevent "Grave Of The Fireflies" from being an amazing story. The main characters, Seita and his little sister Setsuko are so easy to sympathise with and are very loveable, Seita because he's always trying to keep the two of them together throughout their adventures, and Setsuko because she's a beautiful child and has a bubbly personality. The fact that this film centres on children during wartime shows that it is not only adults who are badly affected and just how many youngsters end up homeless and afraid. There are many moments in which you can't help but cry when they experience bad things, but for me the scene which makes me weepy is when they're surrounded by fireflies at the very end since they're not alone, they've got each other and are happy in each other's company. I think that is what's needed in a good film, especially as children would probably want to watch "Grave Of The Fireflies", and would want to know that it ends on a happy note. "Grave Of The Fireflies" may seem too sad, hence the title, but it's not overly sentimental because that is not Studio Ghibli's style, and is very deep and true, with a wonderful message to give to people who love the film. For particular fans of Studio Ghibli who enjoy a film that touches on the hardships of life with absolute clarity without making fun of them, this is a DVD to connect with and make one feel lucky for what we have when so many people did not get much in the war.

This is a one of a kind animation movie. For any enjoyer of this type of filmography it's a must watch.

GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES is very sad. Note that I say that the movie is sad, not depressing. A great film critic told me that great films aren't depressing. Only terrible movies are. He is right. Great films can make you cry, but why should that make them depressing? That means the movie hits you on an emotional level, which is what the greatest movies do. I'm convinced now that the best animators in the world aren't from Disney. They're from Japan, like Hayao Miyazaki (the greatest living animator in the world) and Isao Takahata, a colleague of Miyazaki's who made this one. This film is so emotionally powerful that it actually succeeded in fulfilling another requirement I have about great movies. It makes me forget I'm watching the movie and make me feel as if I actually am INSIDE the film, experiencing what the characters are feeling. The movie is happening to me. If that last line sounds like a cliche to you, okay. So what? Great movies do that to you, and GRAVE OF THE FIRELFIES did it to me. The story is simple. Two Japanese siblings, a 14 year old boy and a 4 year old girl lose their parents in WWII, and it isn't long before they are completely on their own. They end up relying only on themselves to stay alive. The film was adapted from a highly acclaimed book in Japan, which I've been told is based on the real WWII experiences of its author. Like the greatest animated films I've seen this one is filled with images of complete originality and power. The only one I will mention in this review is a shot of a bunch of fireflies surrounding the children. It's a scene of indescribable beauty. But what happens after that turns it into a scene of unbelievable sadness. By the end of the film tears were in my eyes, something I usually don't do while watching a movie. If a film tells me it's based on a true story, that doesn't always get my attention. Isao Takahata wisely does not let audiences know this at any point in the movie, but what really made this film hit me emotionally is that it happens to two innocent Japanese children. They're the victims of our American military forces. And let us remember that we just bombed the country of Iraq. What if there are right now two Iraqi children, brother and sister, who are victims of the bombings we have done? What if they too have to fend for themselves just to stay alive? Perhaps with this highly likely scenario playing out for real, this film is perfect viewing for 2003, fifteen years after its original release GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES ties with SPIRITED AWAY and PRINCESS MONONOKE as the greatest animated film ever made. I would like to explain this in my review but to do so would use up my word limit. They are also films on my list of the greatest films I've ever seen. note: I plan to write an essay explaining my three film tie.

It was my own fault that I bought a Spanish version of this Japanese film , but my Spanish is good enough that I followed it. This animated film almost needs no words. It is excellent, horrifying and incredibly sad.War is pointless and stupid.This film reinforces that. Glad I bought it.

Een verzorgd en doordacht portret van een (gefingeerde?) uiteenvallende familie in de nadagen van de tweede wereldoorlog in Japen. Uiteraard een pijnlijk thema, van in dit geval toenemend verlies en moeilijkheden, beleefd vanuit het perspectief van twee jonge kinderen. En daarmee wellicht tamelijk zeldzaam. De filmtitel geeft een zekere dubbele betekenis aan in dit verhaal van afscheid.

Una buena película de animación que todavia no habia visto en una excelentísima edición. La película es bonita y triste a parte iguales, merece la pena verla aunque sea una vez, no importa en absoluto que sea de animación. La edición es excelente, 3 discos; uno blu ray con la pelicula y otros dos dvds, uno con la película y otro con los extras como el trailer, fotografia de localización para la película o el story board. Además incluye un libro con comentarios del autor y más datos acerca del film. Muy completa y cuidadada.