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Illusion of Blood

Original title: Yotsuya kaidan
  • 19651965
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
270
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Yotsuya kaidan (1965)
  • Fantasy
  • Horror
A samurai warrior is haunted by the spirit of his first wife.A samurai warrior is haunted by the spirit of his first wife.A samurai warrior is haunted by the spirit of his first wife.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
270
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Shirô Toyoda
  • Writers
    • Toshio Yasumi(screenplay)
    • Nanboku Tsuruya(play)
  • Stars
    • Tatsuya Nakadai
    • Mariko Okada
    • Junko Ikeuchi
Top credits
  • Director
    • Shirô Toyoda
  • Writers
    • Toshio Yasumi(screenplay)
    • Nanboku Tsuruya(play)
  • Stars
    • Tatsuya Nakadai
    • Mariko Okada
    • Junko Ikeuchi
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 5User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tatsuya Nakadai
    Tatsuya Nakadai
    • Iyemon Tamiyaas Iyemon Tamiya
    Mariko Okada
    • Oiwaas Oiwa
    Junko Ikeuchi
    • Osodeas Osode
    Mayumi Ôzora
    • Oumeas Oume
    Keiko Awaji
    Keiko Awaji
    • Omakias Omaki
    Eitarô Ozawa
    Eitarô Ozawa
    • Oume's Fatheras Oume's Father
    Masao Mishima
    Masao Mishima
    • Takuetsuas Takuetsu
    Mikijirô Hira
    Mikijirô Hira
    • Yomoshichi Satôas Yomoshichi Satô
    Eijirô Tôno
    Eijirô Tôno
    • Priestas Priest
    Yasushi Nagata
    • Oiwa's Fatheras Oiwa's Father
    Yûsuke Takita
    • Sword Brokeras Sword Broker
    Shinichi Nakano
    • Rice Shop Manas Rice Shop Man
    Sen Yano
    • Koheias Kohei
    Toru Uchida
    • Old Clothes Dealeras Old Clothes Dealer
    • (as Tôru Uchida)
    Kinji Omino
    • Shôzaburô Okudaas Shôzaburô Okuda
    Sue Mitobe
    Mitsuka Akiyoshi
    Yoshiko Maki
    • Director
      • Shirô Toyoda
    • Writers
      • Toshio Yasumi(screenplay)
      • Nanboku Tsuruya(play)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A samurai warrior is haunted by the spirit of his first wife.
    • spirit
    • samurai
    • death
    • jidai geki
    • skin ripping
    • 8 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Fantasy
      • Horror
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Alternate versions
      Western version lacks much of the violence and almost all of the nudity in Japanese version.
    • Connections
      Version of Yotsuya kaidan (1925)

    User reviews5

    Review
    Top review
    4/10
    Disappointing
    The lead actor is regarded as Japan's Laurence Olivier, and is perhaps Japan's top Shakespearian. I've seen several terrific performances of his, including in the outstanding SEPPUKU.

    Which makes this film all the more of a let-down. Upfront, I must declare that I watched this film on a VCD with Chinese subs only, and without my resident translator, which, of course, means I clearly missed much of the fine detail and perhaps some subtleties. However, I believe that good film (and, for that matter, bad film as well !) tends to transcend language barriers.

    I think the main problem is the script. The story is very uneven. Apparently normal life goes on for quite a while, then spooky things start to happen, then normal life returns and stay for ages, then a few more spooky things happen. There appears to be none of the buildup that one expects from a good scary ghost tale, regardless of whether it's in Japan or Hollywood. And Tatsuya's acting is unrestrained, which is okay when his character is getting scared, but he lays it on too thick for too long.

    I note with extra horror that there is a Japanese version of this film which goes for over three hours. That is truly horrifying.

    It is with some sadness that I say that I cannot recommend this film.
    helpful•4
    27
    • sharptongue
    • Nov 23, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 27, 1968 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Ёцуя кайдан
    • Production companies
      • Toho Film (Eiga) Co. Ltd.
      • Tokyo Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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