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A Story from Chikamatsu

A Story from Chikamatsu

1954
Drama
1h 42m
In 17th century Kyoto, Osan is married to Ishun, a wealthy miserly scroll-maker. When Osan is falsely accused of having an affair with the best worker... (imdb)
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A Story from Chikamatsu

1954
Drama
1h 42m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 73.06% from 285 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(285)
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Rated 18 Jun 2020
82
93rd
A carefully composed narrative exposes how a strong but corrupt power turns human relations into a set of transactions that ultimately move with almost mechanical precision to ensure that the house always wins, so to speak. The behaviour and motives of the characters are perfectly clear and comprehensible at each step, and the film stays never too close nor too distant from the unfolding of the tragic events, affecting the viewer but leaving them space in which to reflect on their significance.
Rated 06 Dec 2018
4
74th
Here is a rather succinct representation of all things Mizoguchi: a straight and simple moral tale about the hypocrisy of patriarchal mores and lament for a cruel world. Melodrama, but not maudlin. Japanese cinema of the first order, which is to say that it is related with utmost grace and restraint.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
85th
My first exposure to Ozu (Late Autumn) did little for me at the time. I've since come to appreciate Ozu more, and it's possible that I would enjoy that film more if I revisisted it now. However, this film, which was my first exposure to Mizoguchi, is still my favorite of his. And conversely, it's possible that if I revisited it now I would see that it isn't really any better than the other Mizoguchis I've seen. Then again, maybe not. First impressions are strange things.
Rated 18 Aug 2008
84
81st
Another excellent work by Mizoguchi, much in the same vein in his other work but it's still distinct enough to stand out. The story is engaging and moves swiftly, with compelling performances by Hasegawa and Kagawa. Really great use of traditional music as well. Just one thing bugs me: the deck is stacked against the protagonists by the outdated laws and mores of their period. This story is sad, but it's not as powerful to a modern audience because it simply couldn't happen that way anymore.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
52
4th
969
Rated 01 Feb 2009
8
90th
It's a suberbly crafted film, everything I have come to expect from Mizoguchi, but the story seemed to move slowly, even for him.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
56
12th
882
Rated 14 Jun 2010
80
86th
Slow moving and a little too coincidental, but from a technical point of view this is a masterpiece.
Rated 31 Oct 2010
86
84th
Mizoguchi and his doomed women are always good for a tragic love story. Some things feel a little too fated but the characters and situations are engaging enough that for the most part it's easy to forget and get drawn in to their plight. Overall it's a strong representation of Mizoguchi's oeuvre.
Rated 16 Feb 2011
65
41st
yonetmen feodoal agalari yikmak icin bir ask hikayesinden yola cikmis. yetenekli zanaatkar mohei, aganin karisina yardimci olmak isterken zalim aga, adaletsiz kanunlar, iktidar hesaplari, zinanin 17yy da hala suc olmasi gibi trajik durumlarla karsilasirlar. aga hizmetciye, zanaatkar aganin karisina, hizmetci zanaatkara denkleminde kazanan devlet olur.
Rated 02 Dec 2011
56
12th
#883
Rated 26 Jan 2015
93
95th
Theres not a day that goes by that i dont think about this film
Rated 28 Feb 2016
13
69th
Star Rating: ★★★1/2
Rated 02 Apr 2017
87
88th
Haunting.
Rated 24 Feb 2019
91
84th
90.50
Rated 06 Aug 2019
80
92nd
This was a really fast paced and entertaining drama that wasn't at all what I was expecting. The performances were solid and the music while sparse fit the film perfectly. Definitely one to own.
Rated 02 Nov 2019
80
92nd
Extremely well made tragedy about oppressive social mores in old feudal Japan, a common preoccupation of Mizoguchi. It is not without contemporary relevance, but it's easy to leave with the impression that, when compared to the works of Kurosawa and Ozu from the same period, it's somewhat lacking in dramatic depth and complexity, even if it is less linear than it initially appears. Formally it's hard to fault, and it builds some real emotional power.
Rated 24 Jun 2022
82
79th
Really good forbidden romance story about a somewhat convoluted series of events that leads to the lady of a house and one of her servants on the run, blending drama, romance, and thriller elements. Beautifully filmed and made.

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