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Grave Of The Fireflies Details

1988 DVD Certificate 12.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 6500 members

A Japanese boy of 14 and his 4 year old sister, attempt to seek refuge from the atrocities of World War II in the small city of Kobe. In post-World War II Japan, a janitor finds a metal sweet container beside a deathly ill boy. The janitor tosses the canister into the night, unwittingly beginning a most unusual tale of survival .. Read more

Starring Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi
Director Isao Takahata
Genres Animated, Anime

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Grave Of The Fireflies cover art

Grave Of The Fireflies

A Japanese boy of 14 and his 4 year old sister, attempt to seek refuge from the atrocities of World War II in the small city of Kobe. In post-World War II Japan, a janitor finds a metal sweet container beside a deathly ill boy. The janitor tosses the canister into the night, unwittingly beginning a most unusual tale of survival amid war. Brother and sister Seita and Setsuko, flee their disheveled home and deceased parents to make their bid for a new life. Before American troops begin to occupy their country, the children resort to dwelling in an abandoned bomb shelter in the countryside. Though these siblings later get a sense of safety, they realize necessities such as food and water will not be easy to come by. This stunning and emotional film comes from the studio that made SPIRITED AWAY.

Starring Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi
Director Isao Takahata
Studio OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 2 hrs
Certificate DVD Certificate 12.gif
Genres Animated, Anime
Language Japanese
Dubbed English
Subtitles English
Released DVD: 23 Aug 2004
Production year: 1988
Format DVD

Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

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  • Critics' reviews (2) of Grave Of The Fireflies

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  • 3 stars out of 4

    A tale told by a dead boy, of how he and his sister starved to death in the days just before Japan's surrender in the Second World War. A downbeat story, based on a semi-autobiographical novel, beautifully animated in a stylized manner, told with restrain

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • "GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made..." (Roger Ebert)

    • Chicago Sun
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of Grave Of The Fireflies

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  • 87 out of 92 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    emotionless cynics

    I'm not really into Japanese anime, but I had the patience to give this movie a chance.

    I was rewarded with a sweet and moving story. I knew from reviews that it would not be particularly uplifting but looking at a country at war, from a different perspective, added interest and depth to the tale.

    This movie is worth watching. I found it thought provoking and it had an emotional impact which jaded cynics like me do not always experience.

      • Rip from Manchester
      • Posted 05 Jul 2006 21:04

  • Most recent members' review of Grave Of The Fireflies

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  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Is it manly to cry while watching a cartoon?

    Let me first start by saying that I have always been a fan of Anime, especially anything from Studio Ghilbli, but this film really is too much.

    Not saying that I didn't enjoy it, I loved it, but that was the problem.

    I knew by loving this film throughout the end was always going to be a heart-breaker, it's on the cards from the opening scene and it killed me, imagine the scene when Mufasa dies in 'The Lion King' and times it by a thousand and you're still no where close.

    On a more positive note the direction is beautiful and the music is as always the most impressive part, how they continue to compose the perfect score to match what we're seeing on screen is unforgettable.

    A truly remarkable film which most cartoons will never come close to matching for the emotional ride, however please bare in mind this isn't for kids - not in the slightest.

      • ChickenDippa from London
      • Posted 03 May 2005 12:36

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Rating breakdown

6,500 Member ratings
  • 100
1,348
  • 90
831
  • 80
1,421
  • 70
1,043
  • 60
786
  • 50
413
  • 40
273
  • 30
157
  • 20
146
  • 10
82

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by: A customer from Manchester

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    • Grave Of The Fireflies

    • Grave Of The Fireflies
      A Japanese boy of 14 and his 4 year old sister, attempt to seek refuge from the atrocities of World War II in the small city of Kobe. In post-World War II Japan, a janitor finds a metal sweet container beside a deathly ill boy. The janitor tosses the canister into the night, unwittingly beginning a ...