Gate of Hell

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Gate of Hell

Released Dec 10, 1954

1h 30m

Drama

Romance

History

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93%

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15 Reviews

76%

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500+ Ratings

In this lauded Japanese drama, the samurai Moritoh Enda (Kazuo Hasegawa) performs a heroic act by rescuing the lovely Lady Kesa (Machiko Kyō) from a violent uprising. The warrior falls in love with Kesa, but becomes distraught when he finds out that she is already married to a man named Wataru Watanabe (Isao Yamagata). Unable to shake his obsession with Kesa, Moritoh grows increasingly unstable and will not stop in his pursuit of her, no matter what the consequences.

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Leo Sullivan

Washington Post

With the flavor of legend and the impact of a superb canvas, Gate of Hell is something to be seen and enjoyed by the escapist and the connoisseur alike.

Jul 25, 2022

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

It is hard to convey in simple language the moving qualities of this lovely film, which, among other things, was the winner of the grand prize at the Cannes film festival last spring.

Rated: 5/5

May 20, 2003

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

The film's delicately choreographed battles, its use of texture and color, and its grace of movement and composition mark it as one of those rare Japanese films that survive despite overinterpretation.

Jan 1, 2000

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Giuseppe Sedia

Film International

On one hand, the reception of Gate of Hell was, indeed, the result of the short-term japonisme that affected world cinema stakeholders. On the other hand, it was a sumptuous reply to the angst and intricate storytelling as admired in Rashomon (1950)

Rated: 4/5

Jan 27, 2025

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Vernon Young

Arts Digest

The Gate of Hell, filmed in Eastman color by Teinosuke Kinugasa, is yet another (and not the least sanguinary) version of that complete ease and refinement of power which enthralled us in the art of Kurasawa and Mizoguchi.

Jan 11, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Kinugasa opens the film in a riot of color as the emperor’s staff runs in panic under attack from the rival clan and the warriors furiously try to defend the palace. It’s not a battle scene so much as an expression of chaos, like a painting in motion...

Jul 9, 2022

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Leaburn O

A really good, old Samurai film. Almost Shakespearean and far more character driven than Kurosawa's stuff. Plot was tort and gripping. Watched this one on YouTube.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

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John M

Excellent movie, but Kesa's husband comes across as a clueless milquetoast. It's no wonder she didn't confide in him. Everbody raves about the color, and rightfully so, but to me it suggests a Shakespearean tragedy, with Kesa being a more mature Juliet.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/27/23

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william d

Despite a good horse race scene, the acting is over the top and the costumes look like a movie producer's idea of 12th century apparel. There are better samurai movies out there.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Absolute scenes. Sumptuously shot and compellingly told tale of ambition, jealousy, duty and loyalty in 12th Century Japan. Huge set pieces, a cast of thousands, beautiful costumes, a vat of sake. Kinusaga allows our sympathy to move between characters as their strengths and weaknesses reveal themselves to the viewer and themselves through the film with, ultimately all ends in regret. A masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

I'm not onside with either the critics or the audience consensus on this one. The colours and costumes are beautiful, and there is the occasional shot which is artistic. Otherwise, it's terribly over-acted with a boring, slow beginning and then an over-dramatic conclusion. One of the most poorly executed Best Foreign Language Film Oscar winners I've watched. I can't believe it won.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

Different than most samurai movies of the era. While a good story, there seems a disconnect between the two halves of the movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Teinosuke Kinugasa

Director

Machiko Kyō

Lady Kesa

Kazuo Hasegawa

Moritoh Enda

Isao Yamagata

Wataru Watanabe

Yataro Kurokawa

Shigemori

Kôtarô Bandô

Rokuroh

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Synopsis

In this lauded Japanese drama, the samurai Moritoh Enda (Kazuo Hasegawa) performs a heroic act by rescuing the lovely Lady Kesa (Machiko Kyō) from a violent uprising. The warrior falls in love with Kesa, but becomes distraught when he finds out that she is already married to a man named Wataru Watanabe (Isao Yamagata). Unable to shake his obsession with Kesa, Moritoh grows increasingly unstable and will not stop in his pursuit of her, no matter what the consequences.

Director: Teinosuke Kinugasa
Screenwriter: Teinosuke Kinugasa, Masaichi Nagata
Distributor: Edward Harrison [us]
Genre: Drama, Romance, History
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 10, 1954, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 30m

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