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Gate of Hell

6.9

1,132

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Original title

Jigokumon (Gate of Hell)

Year

1953

Running time

85 min.

Country

Japan

Director

Teinosuke Kinugasa

Screenwriter

Teinosuke Kinugasa, Masaichi Nagata. Play: Kan Kikuchi

Cast

Music

Yasushi Akutagawa

Cinematography

Kohei Sugiyama

Producer

Daiei Studios

Genre

Drama | Feudal Japan. Samurai. 12th Century

Synopsis

During an attempted coup in 12th century Japan, one of the court's ladies in waiting disguises herself as the lord's wife to allow her to flee with the help of a loyal samurai. After the coup fails, the samurai asks his lord to let him marry the woman as his reward. The lord grants the request and then discovers she is already married to one of the ruling family's lieges. The samurai clings to his desire, importuning her to leave her husband, then challenging the husband to release her. Although the husband stays calm and she stays faithful, the samurai remains intemperate and stubborn, with tragic consequences.

Awards: 1954: Oscar: Best Costume Design (Color). Honorary Award: Best Foreign Language Picture

1954: BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Film from any Source

1954: Cannes Film Festival: Palme d´Or (Golden Palm)

1954: New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Foreign Language Film

1954: Locarno International Film Festival: Grand Prize

1954: National Board of Review: Top Best Foreign Films

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Critics' reviews

"With the flavor of legend and the impact of a superb canvas, 'Gate of Hell' is something to be seen and enjoyed by the escapist and the connoisseur alike."

The Washington Post
"It is hard to convey in simple language the moving qualities of this lovely film, which, among other things, was the winner of the grand prize at the Cannes film festival last spring."

Bosley Crowther: The New York Times
"The film's delicately choreographed battles, its use of texture and color, and its grace of movement and composition mark it as one of those rare Japanese films that survive despite overinterpretation."

Don Druker: Chicago Reader
" An intense exploration of post-war malaise, Gate of Hell no doubt meant quite a bit to the Japanese citizens who saw it at the time of its release"

Chuck Bowen: Slant

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User history

Gate of Hell

1953

Teinosuke Kinugasa

6.9

(1,132)