The Face of Another

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The Face of Another

Released Jun 9, 1967

2h 4m

Drama

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86%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

After an explosion disfigures a man, a lifelike mask gives him freedom, but with it comes a change of personality.

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The theme is brilliantly and imaginatively explored, and the acting is potent.

Jun 25, 2005

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Teshigahara's film has a dense aesthetic, serving as a discursive synthesis to interrogate the alienating effects of modernity on postwar Japanese society, but its erratic narrative lacks any properly stimulating component. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Nov 11, 2024

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Asks probing questions about one's identity.

Rated: B+

Jul 23, 2012

Full Review

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

The age of masks -- who wears what?

Feb 6, 2010

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Don Willmott

Filmcritic.com

By the time the movie is over you'll want to rush to a mirror to spend a few minutes staring at yourself.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 19, 2007

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 12, 2005

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s r

A unique film, but not one that I really enjoyed. It was tedious, except towards the end when things climaxed. Saw it on TCM.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Except the murder in the finale, it is a 5-star movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

year s/b 1966 not '67 besides that i found this 2b really creepy still today & one more thing would make a perfect dbl feature with 'eyes without a face" or 'open your eyes'

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Although it leaves me cold emotionally, this movie is visually stunning and intelligent.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

The Face of Another, unlike Pitfall is highly symbolic and relatable. It's a story of identity, and the constant way humans cover up imperfections. Highly philosophical and especially the first half has deep thoughts. Add this to the beautiful but simple visuals, and it's a real treat. This reminded me of so many other films. The Elephant Man and The House is Black immediately come to mind. Then the surreal first half brought Persona and Un Chien Andalou into the mix. I talk about the first half more since it was far more memorable. After the mask came on this became more straightforward, and less stunning. It still brought up interesting new ideas, but lost the spookiness, and emptiness. Which perhaps was intentional, since by the end the main character is completely transformed. I love the opening scene, and all the scenes involving the creation of the mast. Enjoyable art movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Audience Member

One of the most incredible psychological thrillers ever made, shot in vacant and cavernous hospital rooms, streets loaded with bodies and the insides of doomed houses. It is deeply unsettling in its portrayal of a man stripped of his identity, only to find out later his "identity" really was his "mask" after all. Powerful stuff, and as always with a Japanese film, shot and framed very, very precisely and meticulously.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Hiroshi Teshigahara

Director

Tatsuya Nakadai

Mr. Okuyama

Miki Irie

Facially scarred young woman

Mikijirō Hira

Psychiatrist

Kyôko Kishida

Nurse

Eiji Okada

Mr. Okuyama's boss

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Synopsis

After an explosion disfigures a man, a lifelike mask gives him freedom, but with it comes a change of personality.

Director: Hiroshi Teshigahara
Producer: Hiroshi Teshigahara
Production Co: Teshigahara Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 1967, Original
Release Date (DVD): Apr 1, 2014
Runtime: 2h 4m