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Ugetsu
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Ugetsu

1953
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 36m
In the civil wars of 16th century Japan, two ambitious peasants want to make their fortunes. The potter Genjuro intends to sell his wares for vast profits in the local city, while his brother-in-law Tobei wishes to become a samurai (imdb)
Directed by:
Kenji Mizoguchi Kenji Mizoguchi
Written by:
Matsutarô Kawaguchi Yoshikata Yoda Yoshikata Yoda Kyûchi Tsuji
+2 more
Starring:
Machiko Kyô Machiko Kyô Masayuki Mori Masayuki Mori Kichijirô Ueda Kichijirô Ueda Kinuyo Tanaka Kinuyo Tanaka Eitarô Ozawa Eitarô Ozawa Ikio Sawamura Mitsuko Mito Mitsuko Mito Saburô Date Saburô Date Sugisaku Aoyama Kikue Môri Kikue Môri Mitsusaburô Ramon Ryôsuke Kagawa Ryôsuke Kagawa
More
Genres:
Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Fantasy
AKAs:
雨月物語, Ugetsu monogatari
Country:
Japan
Language:
Japanese
imdb More information at IMDb
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Ugetsu

1953
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 36m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 75.98% from 1402 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 22 May 2009
5
91st
One of the most beautiful films ever made. As graceful and dreamlike as Murnau's Sunrise, but with the additional backbone of a haunting tale of greed and ambition. Belongs in any discussion of the best, and best-looking, films ever made.
Rated 22 May 2009
eveeluneveelun
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
98th
Simple yet poignant fable related through ethereal, dreamlike, and gorgeous visuals. The result is a beautiful and magical experience.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 17 Jan 2007
87
89th
A painful study of greed, ambition, and temptation. Excellent photography and fine performances from all the actors.
Rated 17 Jan 2007
jebJeb
Rated 28 May 2009
98
93rd
Ugetsu Monogatari is a majestic and ambitious fable with a strong moral of greed. The etherealities clash with the sorrowful and ghostly aura to build a mythical vibe that carries the film. There are also several poignant and visually attracting shots to elevate it to classic status. A wonderful experience to conclude.
Rated 28 May 2009
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 01 Jul 2016
40
27th
Yet another highly celebrated Mizoguchi tragedy that bored the dickens out of me. Ostensibly it seems to have a lot going for it as a war drama set in a striking evocation of Sengoku period Japan, with samurais and ghosts and political violence, but the story seems stretchy while paper thin, and the dialogue is too affected to affect.
Rated 01 Jul 2016
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 12 Nov 2014
93
99th
The line between stark realism and dreamy fantasy is utterly demolished in this all-time classic. Told with the confidence of a master director, it evokes a ghostly tale of human condition that pierces the fabric of time and space. Poetic, uncompromising and shot to perfection. The storytelling is effortlessly haunting and subtle. Pacing is slow by modern standards but it never loses its eerie flow.
Rated 12 Nov 2014
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 24 Dec 2009
100
99th
This ghost story with a magical atmosphere captures Medieval Japan in all its aspects better than Kurusawa, says sharp things about the exploitation of women and profound things about tragedy. mourning and expiation. A great work of art.
Rated 24 Dec 2009
lexlex
Rated 12 Feb 2014
95
91st
The blending of simple reality and mystical fantasy expose a profound human core that has rarely ever been portrayed with such sympathetic beauty in anything as it has in this cautionary tale of drive and ambition. Visually and thematically masterful.
Rated 12 Feb 2014
djrossdjross
Rated 03 Jun 2021
60
62nd
Two guys get overexcited about the promise of war, and more generally about fantasies of life above their station, and one of them falls for the wrong kind of woman, but eventually lessons get learned up and they're allowed to find their own level (to quote THE AGE OF INNOCENCE) as craft and agricultural workers, but must still pay a heavy price for this education. Quite nicely done and well-filmed, but hampered by a narrative that is dictated too strongly by its rather limited moral worldview.
Rated 03 Jun 2021
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 11 Sep 2008
94
94th
Like many Japanese films from this time, nothing feels extraneous (acting, cinematography, dialogue). Everything is necessary, yet it all feels simple and understated at the same time. This creates interesting sensations: silence in this film is deafening, while the fable-like plot is nightmarish, but never overwrought. Consummate, pure, and beautiful filmmaking.
Rated 11 Sep 2008
paxtonPaxton
Rated 21 Nov 2013
72
72nd
Masterly crafted but spelled out a little too plainly for my taste. It seemed that each of the four main (and at least one minor) characters had a chance to say, "Man's blind ambition negatively effects the women around him." We get it. You don't hear Godzilla prattling on about nuclear weapons.
Rated 21 Nov 2013
kasperlKasperL
Rated 30 Oct 2010
40
19th
Oookay, Criticker users... You got me. A PSI of 97 for this film! Really?!! This is, I guess, going to be one of my most contentious ratings on this site but I'm completely bewildered and astonished by the adoration for this film. Actually, it blows my mind, as I couldn't find much to like, let alone anything to love, about this decidedly plain snoozefest.
Rated 30 Oct 2010
judge_holdenJudge Holden
Rated 02 Feb 2011
4
51st
A gorgeous and dreamlike film, but not the masterpiece so many claim it to be. Like in Sansho the Bailiff, its themes are addressed in far too simplistic and heavy-handed a manner. The offensively blunt dialogue, especially towards the end, is primarily to blame for this. It's not a particularly substantial film. It possesses only a shallow, surface-level kind of beauty, one that may seem striking at first but fails to leave a lasting impression.
Rated 02 Feb 2011
magbMagb
Rated 31 Jan 2007
85
73rd
It starts out rather slow and doesn't show its true colors until Genjuro's subplot kicks in, but that can be forgiven. There are some incredible visuals here.
Rated 31 Jan 2007
randorirandori
Rated 27 Nov 2011
80
77th
biri samuray olmak, digeri de daha cok kazanmak isteyen iki koylunun bu ugurda ciktiklari yolculuk. gizem ve dram guzel harmanlanmis ama keske finali daha az didaktik olsaydi dedirtiyor. japon turkuleri de hikayenin ambiansini guzel tamamlamis.
Rated 27 Nov 2011
ofterdingenOfterdingen
Rated 18 May 2016
56
43rd
Points for narrative structure and some beauty. That's it.
Rated 18 May 2016
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 27 Dec 2007
85
81st
A very good movie based on a Japanese folk tale. Some of it feels a bit contrived and the moral of the story is a little plain, but everything is so well done that those become minor criticisms. Mizoguchi creates characters that become increasingly compelling and draws you in with very nice imagery.
Rated 27 Dec 2007
farzanFarzan
Rated 18 Jul 2008
92
92nd
Ugetsu is a truly wonderful experience. I can honestly say I did not enjoy about the first half too much. It just seemed like there was a straightforward plotline with nothing to back it up. Boy, was I wrong. Although the plotline is rather basic and stale, it is told in one of the most beautifully stunning, and visually extravagant ways I have ever seen. Mizoguchi works wonders with his camera, if you want amazing visuals look no further than Ugetsu. Fantastic.
Rated 18 Jul 2008
lintonmyroxylintonmyroxy
Rated 30 Oct 2020
83
43rd
Hoichi the Earless with less Sanskrit
Rated 30 Oct 2020
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 20 Nov 2011
65
45th
I can recognize why it's so well regarded, but I just couldn't get into it. It was probably a timing thing and if I ever get around to it again I'll no doubt like it more.
Rated 20 Nov 2011
matheuscmatheusc
Rated 29 May 2008
99
92nd
"Les contes de la lune vague entend décrire la totalité cosmique du monde. Le fond du coeur de l'homme, les mystères du ciel, le visible et l'invisible sont leur sujet, et il est sans limites."
Rated 29 May 2008
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 28 Nov 2008
4
74th
A cautionary tale on ambition and greed, blunt and moralized, but elevated with careful presentation and sheer humanism. Its pace and textures are ethereal, nearly ascetic in simplicity, and its tale of corruptibility reveals a belief in man's essential grace. It is no exaggeration when people refer to this as one of the most beautiful films ever made.
Rated 28 Nov 2008
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 04 Apr 2015
6
83rd
fundamentally a religious sermon on the dangers of greed and hedonic pleasures, and the need for a return to familial normality. still, this has many wonderful aesthetic features, particularly the fantasy sequences. dialogue was hilarious to begin with, but i suppose i got used to it.
Rated 04 Apr 2015
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 30 Jan 2019
85
82nd
I saw this film missing the first 15 minutes and with arabic subtitles blocked by everyone's heads. It was still good.
Rated 30 Jan 2019
davidthomsonDavidThomson
Rated 09 Sep 2012
100
98th
Some people believe in the supernatural; some believe in camera movements - they each shall be rewarded. What really "works," of course, is the single camera movement that transforms the cold and ruined house into a home for one night. The endings in Mizoguchi are magnificent. The ending to Ugetsu says to all of us to struggle on with the battle between dreams and life. As for Genjuro - artist, dreamer, lover - he is that essential cinematic hero, the one who will define his own comeuppance.
Rated 09 Sep 2012
purgatospurgatos
Rated 23 Mar 2010
92
93rd
Lovely to watch with both incredible set design and cinematography. The film itself is about greed and what it does to people with a nightmarish undercurrent.
Rated 23 Mar 2010
theyshootpicTheyshootpic
Rated 17 Apr 2007
95
96th
# 47
Rated 17 Apr 2007
peyrinpeyrin
Rated 21 Dec 2018
60
32nd
I dig the allegorical undertones but you can't have both exaggerated allegorical archetypes and genuine sympathetic characters at the same time.
Rated 21 Dec 2018
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 15 Mar 2007
87
77th
A film that definitely gets better as it goes along. The ending is especially moving and really interesting as it challenges your perception of reality. Great cinematography.
Rated 15 Mar 2007
yesistastyyesistasty
Rated 10 Oct 2014
95
88th
I enjoyed how non-linear this movie was. Although it was slow, it was captivating, full of unexpected, gentle turns of plot. Lots of haunting and beautiful moments.
Rated 10 Oct 2014
joojooJooJoo
Rated 27 Jul 2009
4
55th
It is very pretty - also pretty damn blunt.
Rated 27 Jul 2009
valenzettiValenzetti
Rated 08 Jan 2011
96
97th
Amazing. I love finding the first signs of something great in one director's work (von Sternberg, here) and then seeing it flourish in another's. It breathes with its own life.
Rated 08 Jan 2011
pigletPiglet
Rated 25 Jan 2010
75
79th
A visually good movie, but the actual storyline is disappointing. I had higher hopes for this one, maybe it's better the second time around.
Rated 25 Jan 2010
rushshirtrushshirt
Rated 27 Feb 2023
7
54th
Two relatable tales full of haunting imagery and memorable beats. Its brisk length leaves each story slightly underdeveloped, but taken as a whole, its message is resounding.
Rated 27 Feb 2023
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 27 Sep 2014
78
69th
Falls a bit short of greatness for me, but there is still resonance in its simple story, bold characters, and ethereal mood.
Rated 27 Sep 2014
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 11 May 2023
80
85th
A beautiful movie with a lot of themes that might be simple in their core, but work great for these two intertwining stories. That people are not often happy with what they have is a thing and for both of the men in this movie, they crave for more and end up losing (almost) everything in the process. I liked that the characters are not beyond redemption, either, but they pay a steep price for their understanding.
Rated 11 May 2023
sebbysebby
Rated 18 Jul 2011
70
72nd
Another Japanese film that's easy to appreciate and nice to look at that I truly don't give a shit about.
Rated 18 Jul 2011
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 08 Jan 2015
95
93rd
I've experienced quite a bit of heartbreak and emotional torment in the past few months. This film managed to make me feel even more heartbreak and emotional torment. This is no small feat. Just ask my ex-girlfriend. Or don't. She's kind of the worst.
Rated 08 Jan 2015
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 01 Mar 2008
98
96th
# 50
Rated 01 Mar 2008
staryarabbistaryarabbi
Rated 21 Mar 2015
85
88th
Tragic story of decay and circular understanding of society and history. Maybe that can be taken as an allegory of Japan in WWII where it wanted to climb the ladder of power which caused only pain and misery. The scene where Genjuro returns home and Miyagi appears in a sequel shot is one of the most powerful early examples of "time-image".
Rated 21 Mar 2015
jpotiijpotII
Rated 02 Mar 2020
48
36th
Sagitário
Rated 02 Mar 2020
obdurateObdurate
Rated 26 Nov 2016
95
97th
Worthy of its praise and legacy. Some exceptional music here, like when they're on the boats and that simplistic drum drones on, putting a sense of dread in the viewer. But the music is used amazingly in other scenes as well. Aside from that, beautiful imagery throughout with fantastic staging and camera work, cinematography. There's an intimacy here because of the way Mizoguchi used black and white, almost feels like it's too personal to watch. The plot also takes a few interesting turns.
Rated 26 Nov 2016
pyrosexualpyrosexual
Rated 24 Aug 2014
82
74th
Spoiler Alert!: A woman gets raped in this Japanese movie
Rated 24 Aug 2014
kahKAH
Rated 09 Aug 2009
3
74th
Pretty. Very down-to-earth and humane despite having these supernatural elements. But I didn't really connect with it as much as I would like to. Not sure if I am disappointed in myself or in the movie.
Rated 09 Aug 2009
yiannosYiannos
Rated 05 Mar 2017
73
78th
(rewatched on 27/10/19): Mizoguchi should theoretically appeal to me. He was clearly a distinguished craftsman with a keen understanding of framing, composition and movement that serve clear aesthetic goals. His mastery of long takes is reknowned, and unlike most practitioners in the field, they are compassionately employed. Yet I find his style to be, at times, strangely dry and dramatically inert. Ugetsu is a fine film, but I'm not yet convinced of its greatness.
Rated 05 Mar 2017
pratchett3Pratchett3
Rated 10 Mar 2021
4
10th
has some cool ghost stuff toward the end, but that's about it
Rated 10 Mar 2021
knwsvxgzmkNwsVXgzm
Rated 22 Mar 2017
7
66th
A competently made movie about greed.
Rated 22 Mar 2017
bownBown
Rated 23 Nov 2021
77
42nd
A very nice and beautiful movie with especially gorgeous, ghostly photography, but I found the actual storylines and characters to be a little simplistic. But still, I’ve finally seen all the They Shoot Pictures top 50 of all time! Hooray!
Rated 23 Nov 2021
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
97
94th
54
Rated 19 Dec 2008
thervealThe_Rveal
Rated 30 May 2023
41
90th
Balancing the elements of storytelling, cinematography, and humanism, "Ugetsu" shines as an unforgettable film. While the pacing may be off at times and certain plotlines may be underdeveloped, the film's artistic prowess, thoughtful storytelling, and the emotional journey it takes its audience on are commendable. It's a deeply moving piece of cinema that successfully captures the harsh realities of life during wartime.
Rated 30 May 2023
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 16 Feb 2010
97
99th
A haunting and beautiful allegory about greed, love, and the duality of man. It is in turns horrific and erotic, but constantly entertaining. Kenji Mizoguchi is one of the pantheon directors, and along with Sansho the Bailiff, this is his masterpiece.
Rated 16 Feb 2010
miss_jesusmiss jesus
Rated 12 Jan 2009
85
86th
Sad, but worth it. A haunting film.
Rated 12 Jan 2009
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 01 Jul 2020
82
91st
It takes a little while for this to build up a head of steam, but once it gets there the movie just sings. Modern audiences aren't going to be surprised by anything here, but it's a sign of a great film that you don't need to be to love it.
Rated 01 Jul 2020
mrcarmadyMrCarmady
Rated 08 Jun 2011
80
36th
Does not reach the heights of Sansho, but still has beautiful visuals, silly ghost story or not.
Rated 08 Jun 2011
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 24 Feb 2019
91
84th
91.00
Rated 24 Feb 2019
yorgoyorgo
Rated 29 Jul 2022
97
94th
What a classic! Good old Japanese style moral building. The mixture of reality and fantasy has been used just flawless. Unlike other comments, I didn't find the pace slow. Incredible storytelling and cinematography too.
Rated 29 Jul 2022
ihatemoviesIHateMovies
Rated 18 Feb 2011
90
75th
Really great film, although I found it slow in the middle. Very lyrical, sad but also beautiful. I will watch this one again.
Rated 18 Feb 2011
feraudFeraud
Rated 02 Jan 2024
45
32nd
I didn't like it. There were traces of brilliance but the message was too on the nose, too blunt, too predictable. A bit more nuance and subtlety would had made a big difference.
Rated 02 Jan 2024
truekinotruekino
Rated 10 Apr 2019
6
0th
Visually interesting, but the drama is overwrought and occasionally plodding. A tighter script with more grounded characters and less side plot would have served its themes better.
Rated 10 Apr 2019
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 13 Oct 2020
95
98th
Money and war: ruin. Men, as simple as ever, are still capable of hideous things, even in times of hunger, violence and oppression. They deceive their wives and even a ghost. When your goal is fortune, all you get is loss. A potter who falls for a ghost and returns home only find his son alive and wife also as a ghost. A peasant longing to be a samurai that finds his wife trying to make it as a prostitute. At least the supernatural world can give us some lessons.
Rated 13 Oct 2020
bartbaardBartbaard
Rated 21 Nov 2019
50
30th
I missed close ups. The film was interesting but hard to focus on who's who, especially with the chaos of war and raiding. Story was good
Rated 21 Nov 2019
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 28 Aug 2012
79
81st
savas, japonya, samuray, köy baskini, cömlekci, köyden kacmak, yeni sehre gelmek, samuray olmaya calisan adam, kötü yola düsen kadin, tecavüz, fahise, kesik bas, hayalet, karisini aldatmak, baska sehre gidince baskasiyla evlenmek, parçalanan aile, dram, iyi dram, mistik, fantastik (ruh, hayalet),
Rated 28 Aug 2012
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 27 May 2011
94
92nd
A great film with an important moral: every decision you make will affect the people who care about you. Beautiful photography and a story that will remain relevant for future generations make this one a classic.
Rated 27 May 2011
katje_iikatje_
Rated 07 Jan 2010
87
90th
One of the best japanese films I've ever seen, better than a lot of Kurosawa's.
Rated 07 Jan 2010
monisitMonisit
Rated 07 Aug 2018
76
58th
If the pacing was cleared up a bit more, then I would have loved it. A lot of the things felt like they should have just happened a bit earlier.
Rated 07 Aug 2018
cuervoCuervo
Rated 24 Jul 2020
83
90th
Creepy and brilliant.
Rated 24 Jul 2020
sveneriksvenerik
Rated 30 Jan 2013
70
44th
Genuinely moving, strangely haunting, definitely unforgettable, although the subplot is perhaps undercooked.
Rated 30 Jan 2013
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 10 Dec 2007
99
98th
Maratona em honra de Machiko Kyō (1924 — 2019) filme #7. E em honra do aniversário do Mizoguchi comemorado hoje. Não importa quantas vezes o assista, sempre continua um desbunde. BlurayRip No MakingOff.
Rated 10 Dec 2007
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 03 Jun 2010
96
99th
Truly poetic.
Rated 03 Jun 2010
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 30 Oct 2012
90
88th
30 Ekim 12 & Gorsel anlamda degerli bir is. Bir ruya hali icerisinde suruklenen insanlarn hirslari sebebiyle yitirdiklerini anlatiyor. Asil soru; hirs, insanin yaradisilindan beri olan bir ozelligi midir? Sayet oyleyse, hirsina insani sebepler ile engel olamayan, bu sebeple de sadece 'insan olduklari' icin yara alan, belki de tamamen dagilip yok olan insanlarin hikayesini izliyoruz. (Tam tersi de olabilir; hirs insanin kurdugu kotu yasamsal duzenin sonucunda ortaya cikmistir ve suclu duzendir?)
Rated 30 Oct 2012
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 08 Sep 2020
85
98th
One of those nuggets of gold. A must see.
Rated 08 Sep 2020
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 17 Sep 2015
83
87th
Beautiful storytelling and imagery. The final scenes are the best and, in this light, the start could've been more engaging.
Rated 17 Sep 2015
trixrabbiTrixRabbi
Rated 28 May 2013
85
89th
It rolls around in your head afterward. Beautiful, striking imagery that lures you in through the mist.
Rated 28 May 2013
ab_i_hayaAb-ı Haya
Rated 12 Mar 2022
85
87th
08.21 Çiftlik
Rated 12 Mar 2022
caimancaiman
Rated 16 Mar 2011
93
96th
At first this felt a lot like a Kurosawa film; simple peasants struggling to make a living amongst a war-torn country. But it quickly turned into something I've never seen before. The turning point was about at the scene on the lake (an absolutely gorgeous, spooky scene). Then the film begins, subtly and gradually, to take a mystical turn, transporting the viewer into a new reality of spirits, dreams, and the heartbreaking consequences of greed. A haunting, beautiful film.
Rated 16 Mar 2011
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 19 Aug 2022
70
76th
good movie
Rated 19 Aug 2022
doyler29doyler29
Rated 12 Jun 2022
90
87th
Watching this a second time in as many years, I was struck by how elegantly the quietly supernatural elements merge with it's realistic, often brutal depiction of feudal Japan. Such an elegant, heartbreaking film.
Rated 12 Jun 2022
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 13 Jan 2010
98
96th
47
Rated 13 Jan 2010
snallygastersnallygaster
Rated 15 May 2011
59
62nd
I actually prefer the supernatural and dream-like scenes (including those that aren't really supernatural but have a ghostly feeling -- like the scenes on the boat) to the overall story itself. I can't put my finger on why the plot isn't more effective; it may just be overpowered by the supernatural.
Rated 15 May 2011
le_mamile mami
Rated 08 Sep 2017
87
93rd
Japan people know how to make good movies :)) Mizoguchi - san xdxd
Rated 08 Sep 2017
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 08 May 2022
75
57th
Very interesting story counseling to appreciate what you have rather than blindly chasing wealth and fame. Great use of discordant music.
Rated 08 May 2022
icarusIcarus
Rated 23 Oct 2007
91
91st
Evocative images, deliberate pacing, and a devastating look beyond the physical world all combine to make this a truly memorable film. The Genjuro subplot is the real superstar here, and Mizoguchi beautifully layers folkloric elements in with the realist wartime survival drama. And that expressive final shot...joy and suffering, life and death are simply part of the experience of living in this world.
Rated 23 Oct 2007
mike365365mike365365
Rated 13 Mar 2015
74
82nd
It is beautiful. It is also a little predictable, and a little condescending to men. If only they'd listened to their wives...
Rated 13 Mar 2015
mechatiggerMechatigger
Rated 05 Mar 2009
86
74th
Mysterious, haunting drama.
Rated 05 Mar 2009
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
98
96th
#49
Rated 30 Nov 2011
larmorlarmor
Rated 16 Jan 2022
62
53rd
It sure has its moments of beauty, but the story, as usual with Mizoguchi, didn't appeal to me at all.
Rated 16 Jan 2022

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