- It’s nearly unbearably tragic. It’s a gut-punch that wallops you like a Rossellini’s Germany Year Zero or Schindler’s List – roots– Akiyuki Nosaka’s autobiographical novel
- Ebert’s great movies “deserves to be amongst the best war films”- a meditation on grief- it could easily be a live action film- feels neo-realistic—a change for animation—80% of the film is straight (part neo-realism, Empire of the Sun the year before from Spielberg) but the imagery (fireflies and firebombs), flowers to rice transition, the fireflies again from the war show surrealism flashback fireworks—
- Creates some of the great characters of the 80’s in any country or any genre- Selta and Setsuko brother and sister
- Surrealistic idyllic past– escapism
- A story of survival
- Pictorial framing devices from inside their naturally made bunker/home
- Reoccurring shots of water reflection- formal beauty
- I think the narrative alone is enough to carry it to the Pelle the Conqueror border top 10 of the year HR level- and then we have the stunning visuals- leaning MS with the need for another viewing
- HR/MS
In my opinion a masterpiece and the best anime of all time one of the best anti war films of all time. The older brother is one of cinemas best characters- selfless uncompromising(unless it comes to his baby sibling) and gentle. The mise en scene is as good as animated gets and this film is probably the saddest film of all time, but the sadness supports the anti war message. Love it
@ Wayne– really good stuff here. Thanks. Your comments make a good addition to the page. It took me a long time to get to this film– it was largely unavailable and then I had the chance to see it on the big screen in 2018. It may well be the saddest film of all-time. It didn’t hit me as a masterpiece upon my first viewing but many masterpieces didn’t either the first time I saw them. I look forward (that may be the wrong wording because it’s so tragic and difficult to watch) to a second visit.
This film is a mighty work of art and it’s so beautiful to look at. The story itself is so raw and unforgiven, due to the topic of war and how it the people in these towns an village are the ones who are the true victims. We are seeing what war can do to people, especially to ones who are too young or too weak to defend for themselves. I think this film should be in the same class as Schindler’s List
@Imani Hill- thanks for visiting the site and the comment here.
have you seen it again recently. one of the best of all films. not as visually great as apocylypse now but an absolute masterpiece that elicits emotions in a way few directors have been able to without the aide of syrupy elevator music. ebert’s review is really great, perhaps one of his best. this is one of my favorite movies even though i only saw it like last year or so then watched it again a few months later.
I just noticed that the title of the page says 2018. Shouldn’t it be 1988? You may have instinctively put the year in which you watched it instead of the year of the film.
@Graham– yes- you are certainly correct. Should be fixed now- thanks for the cleanup help- much appreciated
A great video with Ebert discussing Grave of the Fireflies here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9WEyuMq0Yk