Ugetsu
Seen it?1953 | 96 min | Fantasy, Drama, Mystery
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences rate it highly (8.0 out of 10). Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and fantasy fans. If you loved The Thing or The Prestige, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, emotional (bring tissues).
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1953: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro and Tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village, in defiance of a local sage's warning against seeking to profit from warfare. Genjuro's pursuit of both riches and the mysterious Lady Wakasa, as well as Tobei's desire to become a samurai, run the risk of destroying both themselves and their wives, Miyagi and Ohama.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesStrong
8.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Venice award: Venice Film Festival: Best Art Direction. Also nominated for 1 Oscar. Plus 4 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 67K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
Monday Morning MaybeAnother supernatural fantasy film. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
47 Ronin Monday Morning MaybeAnother drama. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Snow White and the Huntsman
Sunday Safe BetAnother fantasy film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
The Thing Friday Night FlickAnother much-loved mystery.
The Prestige Friday Night FlickAnother much-loved drama.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
- Machiko KyōLady Wakasa
- Mitsuko MitoOhama
- Kinuyo TanakaMiyagi
- Masayuki MoriGenjurô
- Eitarō OzawaTôbei
- Sugisaku AoyamaOld Priest
- Mitsusaburō RamonCaptain of Tamba Soldiers
- Ryōsuke KagawaVillage Master
- Kichijirō UedaShop Owner
- Shōzō NanbuShintô Priest