Onibaba

Onibaba (aka The Demoness)

(Kaneto Shindo, 1963)

Rating: 5/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: A masterpiece of sexual tension and violent frustration, Japanese master Kaneto Shindo's 1963 masterpiece 'Onibaba' is essential on Blu-ray.

---

Set in a remote part of Japan ravaged by war, but miles away from the frontlines of the rivaling shogunates, Kaneto Shindo's 'Onibaba' may be small in scale but it is just as brutal as any conflict imaginable. It takes your breath away right from the start and never lets up.

A violent mother and daughter-in-law duo use their familiarity of their local seven-foot high susuki grass fields to ambush helpless samurai soldiers and strip them of their armour and weapons to sell on for food after they dispose of the bodies down a devastatingly deep pit.  

When a returning warrior comes home and informs them that their son/husband is dead, a destructive tale of loss unfolds as the mother simmers with anger and the daughter-in-law/widow aches with sexual longing for this messenger.

Scenes of the man and young woman running feverishly through the dizzying grass in carnal desire are unforgettable. Indeed, the whole film grabs you with its explicit sex and violence that feels well ahead of its half century age.

If you didn't discover this masterpiece on Eureka's previous DVD, this pin sharp Blu-ray is the way forward. Extraswise, The Masters of Cinema have done it again with another fine selection of worthy bonus materials:

• Full-length audio commentary by director Kaneto Shindô and the stars of the film, Kei Satô and Jitsuko Yoshimura
• Video introduction by Alex Cox
• 46 minutes of 8mm footage shot on location by lead actor Kei Satô
• Optional English subtitles
• Original theatrical trailer
• 36 page Booklet containing an essay by Doug Cummings, a 2004 statement from writer/director Kaneto Shindô about why he made Onibaba, an English translation of the original short Buddhist fable that inspired the film, a 1972 interview with Shindô conducted by Joan Mellen and rare imagery.

Other film news

Cannes Film Festival rocked by $1m jewellery heist

The stars were shining a little dimmer at this year's Cannes Film Festival after a massive jewellery theft robbed the celebs of their jewels.

Pinewood Studios expansion plan axed by local council

Britain's premiere film lot Pinewood Studios, the home to James Bond and Harry Potter, has lost a £200m planning permission bid for a Hollywood-style expansion across 100 acres of green belt land.

'Avengers' stars Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson reassemble for 'Iron Man' director Jon Favreau's indie comedy

The last time Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson appeared in a film together it was a massive studio production that went on to break box office records. Now the 'Avengers Assemble' stars are reteaming for an independent feature.

Angelina Jolie undergoes double mastectomy after cancer tests

Oscar winning actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy after genetic tests revealed that she held a high risk of developing breast cancer.

Comedian Harry Hill's debut film starts shooting, casts Matt Lucas as his twin

'TV Burp' star Harry Hill's film debut has started shooting with himself in the lead and Matt Lucas as his twin brother alongside Sheridan Smith, 'Inbetweeners' star Simon Bird and Oscar winners Jim Broadbent and veteran actress Julie Walters.

Universal pushes back 'Jurassic Park 4'

'Jurassic Park 4' was due to begin production on June 24th for a release date almost exactly a year later, but studio Universal has pushed it back.

Tributes pour in for Ray Harryhausen, special effects pioneer, dead at 92

When it comes to optical effects in the movies, few have had a career as iconic as Ray Harryhausen, the special effects pioneer who recently died at 92.

Sequels news: 'Men in Black 4' and 'Mission Impossible 5' get the go-ahead

The bank holiday weekend saw not one but two tentpole franchises get the sequel green lights from their studios: 'Men in Black 4' and 'Mission Impossible 5' are on the cards at Sony and Paramount.

'Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer revealed as 'Transformers 4' villain

In somewhat unexpected casting news, TV star Kelsey Grammer (best known as classy radio psychologist Dr Frasier Crane from 'Frasier' and 'Cheers'), has been cast as the lead villain in 'Transformers 4'.

Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender team up for 'MacBeth' film adaptation

First came the news that Michael Fassbender was onboard, and now it's been confirmed that Oscar winner Natalie Portman will be joining him for a new film version of 'MacBeth'.

'Iron Man 3' opening weekend beats 'Avengers Assemble' takings

Marvel/Disney knew they were on to a winner with the third film in the 'Iron Man' franchise but the Robert Downey Jr headliner has exceeded numerous box office estimates by beating 'Avengers Assemble' in its opening weekend figures.

Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt eyed for 'Guys and Dolls' remake

20th Century Fox has finally secured the film rights to the Frank Loesser musical 'Guys and Dolls' after years in legal hell, and now the studio are hoping to bag Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt for the lead roles.

Fox greenlights 'Dodgeball 2' with Ben Stiller onboard

Cult sports comedy 'Dodgeball' is getting the sequel treatment, with original star Ben Stiller's production company onboard alongside distributor 20th Century Fox.

"Deeply embarrassed" Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth jailed for DUI and disorderly conduct

Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth were arrested and jailed in the early hours of Friday morning, it was confirmed recently.

Cannes 2013 line-up announced

The official list of nominations for the 2013 Cannes Film Festival have been revealed with a complete lack of British filmmakers/films in the running for the major awards of The Grand Prize and Un Certain Regard honours.

Disney to release a new 'Star Wars' every year

When Disney attended CinemaCon, the news that all the fans and industry types wanted to know about was what was happening with their newly acquired LucasFilm properties - namely the 'Star Wars' franchise.

Stephen King unhappy with 'The Shining' film prequel

Bestselling author Stephen King has stated that he’d be "happy" if Warner's planned film prequel to his 1977 horror novel 'The Shining' "didn’t happen".

'Avengers Assemble' dominates the 2013 MTV Movie Awards

Check out the full list of winners from the 2013 MTV Movie Awards here:

Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey cast in Christopher Nolan's 'Interstellar'

Christopher Nolan's latest film 'Interstellar' has already confirmed that Matthew McCOnaughey will take the male lead and now it looks like 'The Dark Knight Rises' actress Anne Hathaway will reunite with Nolan as well.

Bradley Cooper saddles up for western 'Jane Got a Gun'

In what must be one of the most troubled productions in recent years, 'Jane Got A Gun' has a new villain at the last minute in the form of Bradley Cooper after both director Lynne Ramsay and Jude Law jumped ship one day into filming.