Onibaba: Criterion Collection

Criterion | minutes | | | Standard DVD reviewed by: Fusion3600

The tolls of war have taken countless men from their homes, leaving friends, family, and the future behind. These men do battle to defend their nations and leaders, even though most will never again return home. A woman (Nobuko Otawa) has seen her son leave her side once before, when he was married, but this time, the situation is grave. The man's wife (Jitsuko Yoshimura) stays close to her mother-in-law, but the bond is not a deep one. The man supported both women, which leaves them out in the cold in his absence. With no real chances to earn an income, the two women have to make the most of minimal findings. But money is hard to come by, so the women soon turn to a darker source of support. Desperate for food, the women plan to seek out lost samurai, slay the warriors and live off the items collected. So the women could salvage armor, weapons, and whatever else the samurai traveled with. The plan works quite well, with the woman earning enough from the sales to purchase grain, though not as much as they'd like. To avoid trouble, the bodies are tossed into a deep, dark well. No one ventures down inside the well, which means the evil deeds of the women remains unknown. But when the man who left them is reported dead, the bond begins to fray and even darker impulses surface...

This is a beautiful, haunting motion picture that more deserves a place in The Criterion Collection, as well as in any film buff's personal library. Onibaba's reputation hails the film as a ghost story, which is accurate, to an extent. But this is not a simple ghost story, instead it is a dark look into the human mind, with supernatural currents. Kaneto Shindo is able to conjure up some incredible visuals, which ensure that the eerie atmosphere is always turned on. The black & white visuals never draw us out of that atmosphere however, thanks to stylish, but not overly flashy use of visual cue, not a common element in cinema. In modern filmmaking, tales of the supernatural tend to lean more on blood and sex, instead of atmosphere and visuals. As such, it is even more obvious that Onibaba is a small masterpiece, as it is as beautiful as it is chilling. The basic story comes from a Buddhist fable, but of course, some updates have been spun in. The result is a genuine look at life's darker side, which is made even darker by the supernatural forces at work. The pace is slow, but time is never wasted and you'll be glued to the screen. And I couldn't live with myself if I didn't mention the music, which was crafted with immense skill by Hikaru Hayashi. I can't recommend Onibaba enough, especially in this wonderful treatment from Criterion.

Onibaba is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. This transfer represents business as usual for Criterion, with yet another dynamic, incredible presentation. Of course, the image has been restored and remastered, to remove countless instances of unwanted grain, nicks, and other debris from the print. This yields more depth and detail than previous versions, so the visuals have more life than we're used to. That is tremendous news, as the visuals are stunning and in this new transfer, they shine like never before. The black & white visuals have flawless details also, thanks to contrast that never disappoints. In short, this is almost a perfect visual effort and for a movie from 1964, that is more than a little impressive.

The original Japanese mono track is included, which offers a solid overall experience. As you would expect from any mono track, range is limited, but I was pleased with the clarity and sharpness found within this track. The elements never overstep their boundaries, which means each remains distinct and bold, never overshadowed or buried under the others. The dialogue is excellent, no volume errors or harshness can be found in the least. This one won't rile up the speakers, but it sounds terrific. This disc also includes optional English subtitles, which have been changed to improve upon previous editions.

The coolest of the supplements are a new interview with director Kaneto Shindo and home movies shot by star Kei Sato. The home movies are an excellent inclusion, as we're allowed a rare look inside the production. You can also find some sketches, artwork, and still photos, as well as the film's theatrical trailer.