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The Face of Another

Released Jun 9, 1967 2h 4m Drama List
100% 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.

Critics Reviews

View All (7) Critics Reviews
Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader The theme is brilliantly and imaginatively explored, and the acting is potent. Jun 25, 2005 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Aug 12, 2005 Full Review Anton Bitel Movie Gazette masks the uneasy rebirth of a nation behind its story of personal transformation Rated: 8/10 Jun 25, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (104) audience reviews
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 Full Review Audience Member Except the murder in the finale, it is a 5-star movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review andrey k Brilliant movie with imaginative and fanciful visions, elaborate cinematography and a thoughtful philosophic constituent. The theme of broken identities is quite spread in cinema since its inception, but this Japanese picture has its own unique and at times pretty horrific tale to tell, with its quite innovative for Japanese cinema, back then, approach. It can remind one of 'Eyes without Face', but actually I think it's more deep in psychological sense. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
The Face of Another

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

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