--- product_id: 49172746 title: "ONIBABA (Masters of Cinema) Blu-ray" price: "1713 som" currency: KGS in_stock: false reviews_count: 7 url: https://www.desertcart.kg/products/49172746-onibaba-masters-of-cinema-blu-ray store_origin: KG region: Kyrgyzstan --- # ONIBABA (Masters of Cinema) Blu-ray **Price:** 1713 som **Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** ONIBABA (Masters of Cinema) Blu-ray - **How much does it cost?** 1713 som with free shipping - **Is it available?** Currently out of stock - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.kg](https://www.desertcart.kg/products/49172746-onibaba-masters-of-cinema-blu-ray) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Product Description SYNOPSIS: Kaneto Shindo, one of Japan s most prolific directors, received his biggest international success with the release of Onibaba [The Demoness] in 1964. Its depiction of violence and graphic sexuality was unprecedented at the time of release. Shindo managed - through his own production company Kindai Eiga Kyokai - to bypass the strict, self - regulated Japanese film industry and pave the way for such films as Yasuzo Masumura s Mojuu (1969) and Nagisa Oshima s In the Realm of the Senses (1976). Onibaba [or Onibabaa, in its alternate spelling] is set during a brutal period in history, a Japan ravaged by civil war between rivaling shogunates. Weary from combat, samurai are drawn towards the seven - foot high susuki grass fields to hide and rest themselves, whereupon they are ambushed and murdered by a ruthless mother (Nobuko Otowa) and daughter - in - law (Jitsuko Yoshimura) team. The women throw the samurai bodies into a pit, and barter their armour and weapons for food. When Hachi (Kei Sato), a neighbour returning from the wars, brings bad news, he threatens the women s partnership. Erotically charged and steeped in the symbolism and superstition of its Buddhist and Shinto roots, Kaneto Shindo s Onibaba is in part a modern parable on consumerism, a study of the destructiveness of sexual desire and - filmed within a claustrophobic sea of grass - one of the most striking and unique films of Japan's last half - century, winning Kiyomi Kuroda the Blue Ribbon Award for Cinematography in 1965. The memorably frenetic drumming soundtrack was scored by long - time Shindo collaborator Hikaru Hayashi. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Onibaba for the first time on Blu - ray in the UK. SPECIAL NEW BLU-RAY EDITION: Gorgeous new 1080p HD transfer Full - length director s audio commentary by director Kaneto Shindo and the stars of the film, Kei Sato, and Jitsuko Yoshimura Video introduction by Alex Cox 8mm footage (40 - minutes) shot on location by lead actor Kei Sato Optional English subtitles Original theatrical trailer Production stills and promotional art gallery 36 - PAGE BOOKLET with a new essay by Doug Cummings, an English translation of the original short Buddhist fable that inspired the film and a statement from writer/director Kaneto Shindo about why he made Onibaba Review Onibaba graphically illustrates that brutalism, art and allegory can co - exist to spellbindingly powerful effect. --Film 4 Review: Well, it's quite unique... - I have watched a lot of Japanese movies this year. Most of them are either Samurai films or based upon those ancient times. These films have led me off course to some truly unique movies, one of the most memorable is Onibaba. An experience that I'm pretty sure I'll never ever forget. Onibaba is a film directed by Kaneto Shindo. Released through the Toho brand and produced by the Tokyo Eiga and Kindai Eiga Kyokai companies in 1964, this film has more than enough to put people on edge. The film stars two women Nobuko Otowa and Jitsuko Yoshimura with Kei Sato playing the man who comes between them. The story is about the two women previously mentioned. They are at the point of starving in their run down hut. The only means of acquiring food is to kill fleeing Samurai in their local tall grass and sell his equipment to some shoddy dealer. Kei Sato's character has been off fighting with the older woman's son and the younger's husband. He quickly becomes obsessively infatuated with the young lady and they soon become inseparable. The old woman doesn't like the idea and does everything in her power to keep them apart. The story is very dramatic, to say the least. The couple in love are very convincing in their lusting for each other and the hatred coming from the "Old Woman" is superbly done. The movie is fairly simple taking place in a large grass field with two huts at either side. The way the director managed to make such an intense movie over such a small space is impressive. The tension that starts to creep into the film becomes down right horrific by the end and I love it for it's simplicity. This is one of those movies that leaves information out and lets you patch it up with your own imagination. I felt a bit surprised by the sudden end, but it certainly kept me thinking when it was well and truly done. Some people might not like that but I thought it was great, if not a bit surprising. Onibaba is also quite a visual masterpiece, in my opinion. This Eureka! print has very little damage to it and looks pretty sharp through out. This impressive image quality really helps bring out the artistry in the visuals. Despite the fact the majority of the film takes place in a large grassy field, the images they managed to put on film are absolutely stunning. The way the wind catches all the tall vegetation as it moves in the wind never got old. Add some rain, a little blood and the occasional river scene and you have a fairly impressive looking movie. This film might not be what some people expect. It seems to be considered more of a horror movie to some rather than a drama. But I would most definitely consider it more of the latter. The end does have a good bit of horror in it but those looking for an entire film like that will be disappointed. Me, I rather enjoyed this movie. I thought it was very memorable in a lot of ways and I would definitely recommend it if you're into this sort of thing. It's a very fine print of the film, one that should do me for a long time. Review: When noble samurai fight for the power over the land, the humble just try to survive - by ALL MEANS! - I liked this 1964 ground-breaking drama about two women trying to survive in the middle of merciless Nanbokucho Wars which devastated Japan during most of XIV century. Even if towards the very end there were some little things I enjoyed less, still, it is definitely an important, major film, a must for all amateurs of good cinema. Below, more of my impressions, with some limited SPOILERS. Even if it is not absolutely necessary to enjoy this film, I believe that knowing a little bit about the Nanbokucho Wars and especially their quite consequent importance in Japanese national conscience through centuries helps to understand better this film - and also how much courage needed the director to make "Onibaba"... 1. The Nanbokucho Wars (1331-1392) In XII century Emperors of Japan lost the real power, which was seized by their military commanders who were in the same time leaders of great families of noble land owners - and could count on the support of professional warriors (the samurai) who were their direct vassals. Simplifying the things a little, the XIV century Nanbokucho Wars were a long confrontation between the partisans of restoration of power of the Emperor and a coalition of noble samurai clans who were afraid of losing their power and wealth. The first fraction, named the Southern Court, was led by the Emperor Go-Daigo and his successors - the other, named the Northern Court was headed by the Ashikaga family, whose leaders claimed from 1338 the title of shogun. Nanbokucho Wars means precisely "wars of Northern and Southern Courts". Ultimately the Ashikaga shoguns prevailed and Emperors became again powerless figureheads - until Meiji restoration in 1868. With Meiji restoration, the military and political leaders of Southern Court like Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336), Kusunoki Masatsura (1326-1348) and Kitabataki Chikafusa (1293-1354), who until then were officially considered as rebels and traitors, were rehabilitated and soon became objects of official cult. Kusunoki Masashige, who indeed was a quite exceptional individual, was particularly venerated as an "ideal samurai", brave, clever and especially loyal to the end. From 1868 to 1945 all Japanese children and teenagers were taught about Kusunoki Masashige amazing (and very real) deeds during the Nanbokucho Wars - and about his ultimate sacrifice in service of the Emperor, resulting in his own death. In 1944 he was also officially designed as an example to follow for the "kamikaze" pilots. 2. The film Considered all of the above, I believe that if in the beginning of the film we are told that this story occurs in the time of Nanbokucho Wars, it is definitely NOT by accident. The director of "Onibaba" wanted to make a film which, amongst other things, would show the other, mostly forgotten face of samurai wars and denounce especially the cruel hardships suffered by the peasants during those frequently very romanticized conflicts. He could have chosen any war or even refuse to identify the conflict - but he went for the one which was always considered in letters and arts as particularly "glamorous". By confronting this noble image of Nanbokucho Wars with the EXTREMELY down to earth approach of things by starving peasants, concerned only by their most basic survival, he obtained certainly a very powerful shock effect. This film describes mostly the tribulations of two peasant women living in a shack hidden in a large field of reeds on board of a river. In order to stress more the point how little importance the traditional society attached to the fate of poor peasants, the director decided to not even give them names... One of them is in her late 40s, the other one, her daughter-in-law, is an attractive 20-years old girl. The son of the Older Woman (who is also the husband of the Younger Woman) was conscripted to serve as a simple foot soldier and went to war with the lord of the domain. In absence of the man who was their only provider the two women are quickly reduced to most abject poverty and face starvation. The film shows frankly and brutally the desperate ways in which they fight for their survival... Then, one day, Hachi, a lone foot soldier who used to be their neighbour, returns from the front after deserting, bringing all kind of news - and soon also the seeds of big trouble... I will say no more about the story. "Onibaba" was definitely a ground-breaking film, not only by its violent attack against traditional view of Japanese history, but also by a particularly daring display of nudity and a naturalistic showing of basic instincts. In this film there are only two forces which drive human beings, namely hunger and lust - nothing else! The need for sex is of course especially strong for younger people and in this film it is shown very skilfully as a physical urge almost impossible to resist. Answering this call of flesh is shown as a liberating, exhilarating experience, symbolically represented by running as fast as possible through the wild reeds... Important precision here - this is definitely NOT a kind of porn, just a naturalistic film which includes some scenes of intimacy. The ending of the film, which I didn't like much by the way, can be understood probably in many different ways - for some people it will be a warning that living only by most basic instincts results in losing our humanity, for others a statement that when the natural needs and urges of our bodies are repressed, it ultimately releases demons on the world, yet for others that karma simply is a bitch... But of course I cannot be certain if any of those things are what director intended to say and I may have perceived it all wrong. You will have to decide by yourself how to understand the ending. 3. Conclusion This is a VERY GOOD and VERY IMPORTANT film. For my personal taste the last ten minutes were a little bit weaker - I found especially the supernatural elements towards the end not really necessary - but I will nevertheless definitely keep this film preciously in my collection for a possible future re-viewing. Enjoy! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B009NFYE64 | | Aspect Ratio | 16:9 - 2.35:1 | | Best Sellers Rank | 27,284 in DVD & Blu-ray ( See Top 100 in DVD & Blu-ray ) 818 in World Cinema (DVD & Blu-ray) 2,647 in Horror (DVD & Blu-ray) 9,910 in Blu-ray | | Customer reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (769) | | Director | Kaneto SHINDO | | Is discontinued by manufacturer | No | | Item model number | EKA70092 | | Language | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0) | | Media Format | Blu-ray, Widescreen | | Number of discs | 1 | | Product Dimensions | 17.2 x 13.41 x 1.5 cm; 28.35 g | | Release date | 25 Feb. 2013 | | Run time | 1 hour and 40 minutes | | Studio | Eureka Entertainment | | Subtitles: | English | ## Product Details - **Contributor:** Kaneto SHINDO - **Format:** Blu-ray, Widescreen - **Genre:** Horror - **Language:** Japanese - **Runtime:** 1 hour and 40 minutes ## Images ![ONIBABA (Masters of Cinema) Blu-ray - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91lA9ny7IoL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Well, it's quite unique... *by S***E on 23 July 2020* I have watched a lot of Japanese movies this year. Most of them are either Samurai films or based upon those ancient times. These films have led me off course to some truly unique movies, one of the most memorable is Onibaba. An experience that I'm pretty sure I'll never ever forget. Onibaba is a film directed by Kaneto Shindo. Released through the Toho brand and produced by the Tokyo Eiga and Kindai Eiga Kyokai companies in 1964, this film has more than enough to put people on edge. The film stars two women Nobuko Otowa and Jitsuko Yoshimura with Kei Sato playing the man who comes between them. The story is about the two women previously mentioned. They are at the point of starving in their run down hut. The only means of acquiring food is to kill fleeing Samurai in their local tall grass and sell his equipment to some shoddy dealer. Kei Sato's character has been off fighting with the older woman's son and the younger's husband. He quickly becomes obsessively infatuated with the young lady and they soon become inseparable. The old woman doesn't like the idea and does everything in her power to keep them apart. The story is very dramatic, to say the least. The couple in love are very convincing in their lusting for each other and the hatred coming from the "Old Woman" is superbly done. The movie is fairly simple taking place in a large grass field with two huts at either side. The way the director managed to make such an intense movie over such a small space is impressive. The tension that starts to creep into the film becomes down right horrific by the end and I love it for it's simplicity. This is one of those movies that leaves information out and lets you patch it up with your own imagination. I felt a bit surprised by the sudden end, but it certainly kept me thinking when it was well and truly done. Some people might not like that but I thought it was great, if not a bit surprising. Onibaba is also quite a visual masterpiece, in my opinion. This Eureka! print has very little damage to it and looks pretty sharp through out. This impressive image quality really helps bring out the artistry in the visuals. Despite the fact the majority of the film takes place in a large grassy field, the images they managed to put on film are absolutely stunning. The way the wind catches all the tall vegetation as it moves in the wind never got old. Add some rain, a little blood and the occasional river scene and you have a fairly impressive looking movie. This film might not be what some people expect. It seems to be considered more of a horror movie to some rather than a drama. But I would most definitely consider it more of the latter. The end does have a good bit of horror in it but those looking for an entire film like that will be disappointed. Me, I rather enjoyed this movie. I thought it was very memorable in a lot of ways and I would definitely recommend it if you're into this sort of thing. It's a very fine print of the film, one that should do me for a long time. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When noble samurai fight for the power over the land, the humble just try to survive - by ALL MEANS! *by D***K on 6 May 2014* I liked this 1964 ground-breaking drama about two women trying to survive in the middle of merciless Nanbokucho Wars which devastated Japan during most of XIV century. Even if towards the very end there were some little things I enjoyed less, still, it is definitely an important, major film, a must for all amateurs of good cinema. Below, more of my impressions, with some limited SPOILERS. Even if it is not absolutely necessary to enjoy this film, I believe that knowing a little bit about the Nanbokucho Wars and especially their quite consequent importance in Japanese national conscience through centuries helps to understand better this film - and also how much courage needed the director to make "Onibaba"... 1. The Nanbokucho Wars (1331-1392) In XII century Emperors of Japan lost the real power, which was seized by their military commanders who were in the same time leaders of great families of noble land owners - and could count on the support of professional warriors (the samurai) who were their direct vassals. Simplifying the things a little, the XIV century Nanbokucho Wars were a long confrontation between the partisans of restoration of power of the Emperor and a coalition of noble samurai clans who were afraid of losing their power and wealth. The first fraction, named the Southern Court, was led by the Emperor Go-Daigo and his successors - the other, named the Northern Court was headed by the Ashikaga family, whose leaders claimed from 1338 the title of shogun. Nanbokucho Wars means precisely "wars of Northern and Southern Courts". Ultimately the Ashikaga shoguns prevailed and Emperors became again powerless figureheads - until Meiji restoration in 1868. With Meiji restoration, the military and political leaders of Southern Court like Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336), Kusunoki Masatsura (1326-1348) and Kitabataki Chikafusa (1293-1354), who until then were officially considered as rebels and traitors, were rehabilitated and soon became objects of official cult. Kusunoki Masashige, who indeed was a quite exceptional individual, was particularly venerated as an "ideal samurai", brave, clever and especially loyal to the end. From 1868 to 1945 all Japanese children and teenagers were taught about Kusunoki Masashige amazing (and very real) deeds during the Nanbokucho Wars - and about his ultimate sacrifice in service of the Emperor, resulting in his own death. In 1944 he was also officially designed as an example to follow for the "kamikaze" pilots. 2. The film Considered all of the above, I believe that if in the beginning of the film we are told that this story occurs in the time of Nanbokucho Wars, it is definitely NOT by accident. The director of "Onibaba" wanted to make a film which, amongst other things, would show the other, mostly forgotten face of samurai wars and denounce especially the cruel hardships suffered by the peasants during those frequently very romanticized conflicts. He could have chosen any war or even refuse to identify the conflict - but he went for the one which was always considered in letters and arts as particularly "glamorous". By confronting this noble image of Nanbokucho Wars with the EXTREMELY down to earth approach of things by starving peasants, concerned only by their most basic survival, he obtained certainly a very powerful shock effect. This film describes mostly the tribulations of two peasant women living in a shack hidden in a large field of reeds on board of a river. In order to stress more the point how little importance the traditional society attached to the fate of poor peasants, the director decided to not even give them names... One of them is in her late 40s, the other one, her daughter-in-law, is an attractive 20-years old girl. The son of the Older Woman (who is also the husband of the Younger Woman) was conscripted to serve as a simple foot soldier and went to war with the lord of the domain. In absence of the man who was their only provider the two women are quickly reduced to most abject poverty and face starvation. The film shows frankly and brutally the desperate ways in which they fight for their survival... Then, one day, Hachi, a lone foot soldier who used to be their neighbour, returns from the front after deserting, bringing all kind of news - and soon also the seeds of big trouble... I will say no more about the story. "Onibaba" was definitely a ground-breaking film, not only by its violent attack against traditional view of Japanese history, but also by a particularly daring display of nudity and a naturalistic showing of basic instincts. In this film there are only two forces which drive human beings, namely hunger and lust - nothing else! The need for sex is of course especially strong for younger people and in this film it is shown very skilfully as a physical urge almost impossible to resist. Answering this call of flesh is shown as a liberating, exhilarating experience, symbolically represented by running as fast as possible through the wild reeds... Important precision here - this is definitely NOT a kind of porn, just a naturalistic film which includes some scenes of intimacy. The ending of the film, which I didn't like much by the way, can be understood probably in many different ways - for some people it will be a warning that living only by most basic instincts results in losing our humanity, for others a statement that when the natural needs and urges of our bodies are repressed, it ultimately releases demons on the world, yet for others that karma simply is a bitch... But of course I cannot be certain if any of those things are what director intended to say and I may have perceived it all wrong. You will have to decide by yourself how to understand the ending. 3. Conclusion This is a VERY GOOD and VERY IMPORTANT film. For my personal taste the last ten minutes were a little bit weaker - I found especially the supernatural elements towards the end not really necessary - but I will nevertheless definitely keep this film preciously in my collection for a possible future re-viewing. Enjoy! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review *by A***R on 25 February 2023* If you like Japanese Culture, this movie is a classic. High definition digital restoration. Criterion Collection are all high quality DVD ## Frequently Bought Together - ONIBABA (Masters of Cinema) (DVD & BLU-RAY DUAL FORMAT) [1964] - Kuroneko (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] - Kwaidan [Blu-ray] --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.kg/products/49172746-onibaba-masters-of-cinema-blu-ray](https://www.desertcart.kg/products/49172746-onibaba-masters-of-cinema-blu-ray) --- *Product available on Desertcart Kyrgyzstan* *Store origin: KG* *Last updated: 2026-06-03*