Gate of Hell (1953)
Director: Teinosuke Kinugasa
Writers: Kan Kikuchi, Teinosuke Kinugasa, Masaichi Nagata.
Stars: Machiko Kyô, Kazuo Hasegawa, Isao Yamagata.
Runtime: 86 minutes
Plot: During a rebellion the samurai Morito desires the lady-in-waiting Kesa but she's already married to Wataru. Morito decides to get rid of his rival, yet when Morito follows through on the plan it is Kesa herself who gets killed.
Review: It is hard to convey in simple language the moving qualities of this lovely film, which, among other things, was the winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1954 and the Academy Honorary Award for "Best Foreign Language Film first released in the United States during 1954". The tensions and agonies of violent passions are made to rage behind a screen of formality and dignity. The essence of ancient Japanese culture is made to serve as an underlying catalyst in this film.
The story itself is quite simple of a thirteenth century warrior who falls in love with a Japanese lady whom he aids and saves during a revolt and later requests in marriage, only to learn that she already is wed. Burning with a desire for her, he overwhelms her and causes her such shame and sorrow that she commits suicide. It is simple, but the strain and anguish that develops out of the violence of the initial rebellion into a consideration of the turmoil that occurs amid seemingly peaceful surroundings in a man and a woman's hearts are gripping aspects of the film. There is much to be got from this picture—much to savor and deeply enjoy.
Reviewed by Mohaiminul Islam
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