Slideshow
YOTSUYA KAIDAN
四谷怪談
Japan, 1959
Directed by Kenji Misumi
Written by Fuji Yahiro
Starring Kazuo Hasegawa, Yasuko Nakada
Approx. 85 min. 35mm print courtesy Japan Foundation.
The first color film version of the famous play. Deviating heavily from the original source, Fuji Yahiro depicts cold blooded protagonist Iemon as a tragic hero. The "righteous revenge" for his ruthlessly murdered wife leads to the redemption of her evil spirit. The visionary finale is without a question the apex of this underrated masterpiece.