Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Do you have a friend who thinks that anime is just porn filled with alien demon samurai tentacle rape scenes? Instead of arguing with him, or trying to convince him otherwise, I've got a better solution for you: show him a copy of Grave of the Fireflies, and change their minds forever.

Hotaru no Haka (AKA Grave of the Fireflies) is a semi-autobiographical story, taking place in Japan towards the end of World War II. Setsuko and Seita are two orphaned children - Father is off fighting in the Imperial Japanese Navy and mother is killed during the firebombing of Kobe. And so the two children are forced to survive on their own, enduring war, widespread famine and the inhumanity of their fellow Japanese.

Grave of the Fireflies is a movie that is extremely difficult to watch and is one of the most adult, sensitive thoughtful movies I have ever had the pleasure to own. No giant robots beating the crap out of each other, no magical girls in Japanese school girl uniforms fighting demon monsters from other dimensions; just a simple, powerful film about a story of survival. Isao Takahata - the other big name director at Studio Ghibli - delivers a intense, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting look at World War II experience. I wont go on for fear of spoiling the story too much - this is one that should be discovered for oneself.

There are two releases of Grave of the Fireflies. An older single disc non-anamorphic release and the superior Collector's Series edition. Needless to say, shun the older one and pick up the Collectors Edition. That's the version we'll be focusing on here.

THE VIDEO -
Unlike the other Studio Ghibli films, which were released by Disney, Grave of the Fireflies was released by Central Park Media. As such we get a different two disc package than the other Ghibli films. Disc one is the uncut film with both English and Japanese dubs, and an alternate angle view with the storyboards instead of animation.

The R1 version of the film is a fantastic looking print, a quantum leap over the old CPM release from 1998. The colors look sharp and vivid, the Digital Video Noise Reduction treatment looks astounding (the before and after versions in the extras are like night and day). You could not ask for a better copy of this film.

The dub on the R1 version is - well, as far as voice over acting goes, fairly painful. This is one that you want to catch the subs on for sure.

THE EXTRAS -
The second disc contains a retrospective on Akiyuki Nosaka, the original author of the book that the film was based on. We also get an interview with Director Isao Takahata, and an interview of well-known critic Roger Ebert. Normally I'm not too fond of "experts" trotted out on display to commentate on a film they had nothing to do with - but in this case, I'll give Roger a pass. Knowledgeable, informative and interesting, Mister Ebert has some insight to bring to the table.

In addition, there's interviews with the creative team, a short section on the firebombings of Japan (by Professor Theodore F. Cook & Professor Haruko Taya Cook), an assortment of trailers, an art gallery and aforementioned section about the restoration of the film.

MPAA RATING -
While there's no gore or adult situations, there is a somber and intense nature about the film. I would conservatively estimate that this would be a PG movie.

THE LAST WORD -
This is not a film for everyone - it requires a great deal of courage to watch. I can only seem to handle a viewing once every couple of years - it's that powerful. But by all means, watch it at least once.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12