Grave of the Fireflies - Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann reviews Grave of the Fireflies, starring Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi. Directed by Isao Takahata.

[yowatchie]

Ah, the masterpiece that almost no one watches twice.

[Anthony-cjju]

I watched this movie awhile back with my grandmother who was a child during WW2. She lost both of her parents and baby brother during an air bombing. She had to survive on her own until her adoptive parents saved her. She held on to me while we were both in tears. She has since passed but I can never forget the pure devastation I felt for her and the characters on screen. I haven’t been able to watch the film since. But this review made me remember and respect this film for being a real and honest example of how that war affected so many and touches so my hearts. Thank you

[designtechdk]

One of the greatest films I’ll never rewatch.

[kravenite]

I think the last scene with their ghosts watching over the citylights is meant as the city is the grave of fireflies. Dead fireflies were all the innocent people who were lost in the war and the cities a grave built over their deaths.

[Jeffdraws]

Ebert said this was one of the few films that inspires actual grief.

[camarolt]

This was the last movie I watched with my grandmother a few years back. She grew up outside of Hiroshima during the war as young girl and saw the mushroom cloud from Little Boy. She died last year, and this movie is now a lot more special to me, especially now that I am a father.

Thanks for the review, Chris. I’ve been waiting on this one from you for a while.

[typhoonthunder]

When the credits rolled to this movie, I just kinda sat and stared, tears pouring out. Then immediately after it ended I got an ad for Minions 2: The Rise of Gru and I threw up in my mouth

[tbdaemon]

The thing that really stuck out for me for this movie were the scenes where you see Saita and Setsuko struggling, having lost everything only for the movie to cut away to a wealthy family nearby musing about how little things changed for them.

[XxSeenLionsxX]

Movie left me in a puddle of tears 10/10

[syrusangi]

The story was originally a short story written by Akiyuki Nosaka as an apology letter to his little sister who had died during WWII same way as Setsuko via malnutrition. He was Seita that couldn't protect his Setsuko n his character dying in the story is a metaphorical suicide because of his survivor's guilt.

[juansanchez]

I don’t care that it’s animated, this is up there as one of the best war films ever made

[GeekAdda]

I remember watching this late night one night and I couldn't stop crying till the morning. All those images of the sister playing alone just stamped on my heart and mind. Even watching this video makes me tear up uncontrollably. A masterpiece that will absolutely break you

[souvikdeb]

This movie horrified me. One of the finest pieces of art out there. A gutwrenching tragedy. Made me cry sooo fucking much.
And we are still inflicting so many wars in so many countries. This movie is a reality for so many actual small children of Gaza and Ukraine and many other countries.

[akarohit]

Grave of Fireflies wasn't a movie; it was an emotional tidal wave that crashed into my soul, leaving me breathless and shattered on the shore. From the opening scene, a haunting premonition, a lump settled in my throat, refusing to budge. As Seita and Setsuko's story unfolded, it wasn't just a narrative; it was a gut punch delivered with the tenderness of a butterfly's kiss.

Their innocence, their unwavering love for each other, their resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship - it all felt searingly real. I laughed with them at the fireflies' ethereal glow, my heart swelling with a joy soon to be ripped away. The animation, deceptively simple yet achingly beautiful, mirrored the stark simplicity of their war-torn world, where survival was a constant, brutal struggle.

The scenes that truly broke me were painted not with grand tragedy, but with the quiet desperation of everyday life. Seita's desperate attempts to provide for Setsuko, his heartbreaking apology for selling their mother's kimono, Setsuko's childish optimism even as starvation gnawed at her - these were the moments that pierced through every emotional defense I had built.

Tears streamed down my face, blurring the screen as I witnessed their descent into despair. The hunger, the sickness, the utter helplessness - it felt like an assault on my humanity. And yet, even in the darkest moments, their love flickered like a dying ember, refusing to be extinguished.

The ending, oh, the ending. It wasn't just sad; it was a desolate wasteland of grief. Setsuko's final words, a whisper of "Seita-kun, " echoed in my mind long after the credits rolled. The emptiness it left behind was profound, a void filled only with the lingering ache of their loss.

Grave of Fireflies is not just a movie; it's an experience. It's a searing indictment of war, a poignant testament to the enduring power of love, and a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life. It's a film that will stay with you long after the tears have dried, a poignant scar etched on your soul. So, yes, you will cry. You will sob. But through the tears, you will see the beauty of humanity, the strength of love, and the importance of cherishing every precious moment. And that, perhaps, is the true power of this unforgettable film.

Remember, tissues are highly recommended. You've been warned

[alifpr]

omg Chris I’m glad you made a feature presentation of this, a classic beautiful tearjerker of a movie. ❤

[tomobch]

03:55 Exactly! I was 8 when my mom took me to the theater to see the double feature. We saw Grave of the Fireflies first, were completely destroyed and couldn’t stay to see Totoro😭 But now that I’m in my 40s, I feel so blessed that I’ve experienced this gem in 35mm film at a cinema.
Sending love and support from Japan. Thanks for enjoying Studio Ghibli❤️

[Vicioussama]

Ahhh, Grave of the Fireflies, one of the BEST movies I've seen that I NEVER want to see again.

[nationalcoasternews]

Takahata was an absolute genius. This film, Tale of Princess Kaguya, Only Yesterday…. man knew how to emotionally shatter you

[vedantbakshi]

Chris seeing this again immediately makes him stronger than me

[CupcakeInMyAi]

True story, in my undergrad my Modern Japan class was discussing ww2 era Japan and its rebuilding in the 1950s, but it kinda seemed like all the students were more interested in the war sections previously. I emailed the professor on a whim asking to show Grave of the Fireflies, as a representative of the Anime & Japanese Culture Club, and she thought it was a great idea since she'd apparently seen it, too. She made it extra credit, and I'm sure we can all imagine how things went. Thanks for covering this beautiful movie~ (also, wtf Totoro, really?)