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Conflagration

Play trailer Conflagration 1958 1h 36m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
As a youth, Goichi Mizoguchi is tormented by his adulterous mother but soothed by his father's stories of the Golden Pavilion, an ancient Buddhist temple. Later, the shy and stuttering Goichi studies to become a monk and befriends the wild Tokari, also a student. Finding himself at the Golden Pavilion, Goichi is disgusted by how debased the temple has become and feels the only pure action left is to destroy the beautiful building.

Critics Reviews

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Howard Thompson New York Times This dignified, purposeful film is often touching as a case history of doomed innocense at bay. But its coils of compromise and corruption are even more credible and haunting. Rated: 4/5 Oct 23, 2007 Full Review Trevor Johnston Time Out The director's favourite among his own films. Oct 23, 2007 Full Review Elliott Stein Village Voice A devastating critique of postwar Japanese society; it signaled Ichikawa's emergence as a mature director. Aug 28, 2006 Full Review Pieter-Jan Van Haecke Psychocinematography Ichikawa succeeds in echoing how the crumbling of the imperialistic dream played its role in making the father – imaginary as well as symbolically – malfunction for many subjects. Jul 13, 2023 Full Review TV Guide Brilliant in detailing the events which lead up to this youth's final experience. Rated: 3/4 Aug 28, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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S R Some powerful symbolism, but the sombre tone and plot were such a downer that I struggled through it. Saw on TCM. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/24 Full Review Audience Member Too many overriding. I love the novel a lot more. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Conflagration

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Conflagration

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Movie Info

Synopsis As a youth, Goichi Mizoguchi is tormented by his adulterous mother but soothed by his father's stories of the Golden Pavilion, an ancient Buddhist temple. Later, the shy and stuttering Goichi studies to become a monk and befriends the wild Tokari, also a student. Finding himself at the Golden Pavilion, Goichi is disgusted by how debased the temple has become and feels the only pure action left is to destroy the beautiful building.
Director
Kon Ichikawa
Screenwriter
Natto Wada, Keiji Hasebe, Kon Ichikawa, Yukio Mishima
Production Co
Daiei Kyoto
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Japanese
Runtime
1h 36m