Cheap Gate of Hell (Video) (Kazuo Hasegawa, Machiko Kyô, Isao Yamagata) (Teinosuke Kinugasa) Price

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Customer Reviews of Gate of Hell

After remaining faithful to his lord, and distinguishing himself in combat, Moritoh Endo is permitted to name his own reward. He requests to marry Lady Kesa, the wife of the Imperial Gate Guard, but this wish is refused. For the rest of the movie, he obsesses about her, and tries to win her by force, which of course ends tragically.

Machiko Kyo as Lady Kase does stand out, but overall there is nothing exceptional about this movie. The quality of the video is not that great either.

Unfortunately, I'd have to say that the movie was somewhat of a disappointment.

A Tragic Obsession in 12th-Century Japan
In 1953, Teinosuke Kinugasa (1896-1982) directed and co-adapted the historical play entitled "Jigokumon" (English transliteration of the Japanese title), which was written by Kan Kikuchi (1888-1948). The film's name (the same as the play) translates into English as "Gate of Hell", and was released theatrically in the U.S. in 1954. The story takes place in 12th-century Japan during the Heian period and at the start of a revolt. During the confusion and fear running rampant through the royal palace in Kyoto, a lady of the court, Lady Kesa (Machiko Kyô), is rescued by a soldier named Moritoh (Kazuo Hasegawa, 1908-1984). After the revolt fails, Moritoh is told that he can have anything that he wants, and what he wants is Lady Kesa to be his wife. He is quickly told, however, that she is already married to Wataru Watanabe (Isao Yamagata, 1915-1996). Rather than seek something different, Moritoh becomes dangerously obsessed with Lady Kesa.

Filmed in beautiful & vibrant color (probably one of the first color films from Japan), the cinematography in "Gate of Hell" is exquisite. The story is by no means dated, though it does become somewhat predictable. Still, it is both compelling and engaging and the acting is superb, especially Machiko Kyô. Memorable scenes in the film include the confusion at the royal palace, Laky Kesa hiding from traitorous soldiers, Moritoh meeting Lady Kesa and her aunt after the revolt, Moritoh given the choice of his heart's desire, the horse races, Moritoh at the home of Lady Kesa's aunt, and the ending scenes. The makeup used on Moritoh could have been better.

The film won several awards including an Oscar for Best Costume Design, an Honorary Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the prestigious Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Overall, I rate "Gate of Hell" with 4 out of 5 stars. Hopefully, the film will be fully restored and released on DVD one day. I highly recommend the film.

Visual Masterpiece
Gate of Hell was one of the first color feature films to be made in Japan and it remains one of the best. The cinematography, set designs and costumes are absolutely stunning. But I would agree with other reviewers that the VHS transfer is not the best. Given the fact that this movie won two Oscars (best foreign film and best costume design) as well as the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, I'm amazed no one has come out with a digitally-remastered DVD version yet.

The plot centers around a samurai named Moritoh who falls hopelessly in love with Kesa, a lady-in-waiting at the royal court. He wants her hand, but finds out she is already married. Still, he is determined and will stop at nothing, even if it means taking her by force. Kazuo Hasegawa, who plays the detestable Moritoh, was a legendary screen and theater actor in Japan. Machiko Kyo plays Kesa and is drop dead gorgeous in this movie. She also starred in other famous Japanese films including Rashomon and Ugetsu. The screenplay for Gate of Hell is a little weak in places. But the visual elements (fabulous photography, sets and costumes) will hold your interest throughout this film.