Rent Onibaba (1964)
3.9 of 5 from 240 ratings
1h 40min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Onibaba is set during a brutal period in history, a Japan ravaged by civil war between rival shogunates. Weary from combat, samurai are drawn towards the seven-foot-high susuku grass fields to hide and rest themselves, only to be ambushed and murdered by a ruthless team of mother (Nobuko Otowa) and daughter-in-law (Jitsuko Yoshimura). When Hachi (Kei Sato), a neighbour returning from the wars, brings bad news, he threatens the women's partnership.
- Actors:
- Nobuko Otowa, Jitsuko Yoshimura, Kei Satô, Jûkichi Uno, Taiji Tonoyama, Someshô Matsumoto, Kentarô Kaji, Hosui Araya, Fudeko Tanaka, Michinori Yoshida, Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Tanaka, Kanzô Uni, Nobuko Shimakage
- Directors:
- Kaneto Shindô
- Producers:
- Hisao Itoya, Tamotsu Minato, Setsuo Noto
- Writers:
- Kaneto Shindô
- Aka:
- Devil Woman / The Demon / The Hole / The Ogress / The Witch
- Studio:
- Eureka
- Genres:
- Classics, Horror
- Collections:
- Masters of Cinema, Top Films
- Countries:
- Japan
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 25/02/2013
- Run Time:
- 103 minutes
- Languages:
- Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Full-length Audio Commentary by Director Kaneto Shindo and the stars of the film, Kei Sato and Jitsuko Yoshimura
- Video introduction by Alex Cox
- 38 minutes of 8mm footage shot on location by lead actor Kei Sato
- Original Theatrical Trailer
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Reviews (5) of Onibaba
Japanese classic - Onibaba review by CP Customer
Onibaba is a stunning piece of cinema, my favourite Japanese film and I've certainly seen a few over the years. It is a simple film, with a small cast and setting that allows the storyline to prosper. A mother and daughter exist by attracting samurai warriors and killing them for their own needs. Living amongst a landscape of tall grass, only they seem to know their way around. Warriors weakened by combat cannot help but fall under their spell and once their guard is lowered, their end is only a matter of time. Things all change when a warrior with a distinctive mask falls into their clutches. This black and white film is full of powerful imagery and atmospheric traditional music. Despite being filmed in 1964 it surprises with the imaginative use of camera angles and rapid editing. The vivid world Shindo-san creates, will remain with you long after the film has finished.
5 out of 7 members found this review helpful.
Pleasant and unnerving at the same time - Onibaba review by CP Customer
Reminded me a bit of Knife In The Water as it shows slightly sinister human behaviour surrounded by very pleasant scenery.
The story itself felt like it had it's roots in some ancient tale, where instinct gets the better of people.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Onibaba remains a favourite more than 40 years since I first viewed - Onibaba review by KR1960
I first saw Onibaba as a teenager in the 1970’s and have just watched it again as a 64 year old
It has not lost it’s power and ability to show just how much a small cast can knock you for six . Or sex.
It remains a favourite film which should be much better known.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.