Grave of the Fireflies

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Isao Takahata's powerful antiwar film has been praised by critics wherever it has been screened around the world. When their mother is killed in the firebombing of Tokyo near the end of World War II, teenage Seita and his little sister Setsuko are left on their own: their father is away, serving in the Imperial Navy. The two children initially stay with an aunt, but she has little affection for them and resents the time and money they require. The two children set up housekeeping in a cave by a stream, but their meager resources are quickly exhausted, and Seita is reduced to stealing to feed his sister.

The strength of Grave of the Fireflies lies in Takahata's evenhanded portrayal of the characters. A sympathetic doctor, the greedy aunt, the disinterested cousins all know there is little they can do for Seita and Setsuko. Their resources, like their country's, are already overtaxed: anything they spare endangers their own survival. As in the Barefoot Gen films, no mention is made of Japan's role in the war as an aggressor; but the depiction of the needless suffering endured by its victims transcends national and ideological boundaries. --Charles Solomon

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Visitor comments about Grave of the Fireflies

“An incredibly heart wrenching animated film masterpiece about a brother and sister's love and trying to survive in Japan during WWII. Difficult to watch and moving beyond measure.”

“One of the greatest anti-war movies ever, and also one of the best animated films. Only movie to almost move me to tears”

nomercyz182

“DON'T TELL ME IT DIDN'T REACH THE TOP TEN. Whoever saw this movie would understand. So sad I don't want to see it ever again. But still, to watch once in your life.”

ohright

“the most powerfull moving beutifull melancholic and touching film ever it fells like a privilage to watch this masterpiece witch somehow manges to fit more emotion in 88 minutes than Schindler's list does in nearly three hours this film is perfect in every way”

alucard