Film critic Roger Ebert - Grave of The Fireflies

Film critic Roger Ebert reviewing the Japanese anime "Grave of The Fireflies", a Studio Ghibli film of 1988. Contemplating on animation and Asian film making. Amazed by his empathy and sensitivity through his description of this film, his interpretation is almost moving.

[@drgrounder]

I wish more film critics appreciated and understood animation like this guy

[@ergosmooth3990]

YES! I was happy when he mentioned the greatness of insignificant scenes in japanese anime, cuz in wind rises, most ppl and even movie critics kept saying the pacing is bad, the pacing is bad, too many unncessary scenes, slow, etc.

[@September2004]

This is why he's practically the model for all film critics. He doesn't dismiss something because of genre (except video games, but that's outside film). He can talk intelligently about Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Henry James but also Superman, Batman and Dick Tracy comics.

[@September2004]

+bj milburn He definitely was. He was the only critic I read, not because of his fame or taste but because he was such a damn good writer. I remember AO Scott gave a class on film criticism and chose a few reviews from a list of great film critics. The students were all drawn to Ebert's even though they may have been too young to have seen Siskel & Ebert or even seen the films that the reviews were written for. Here's a great, empathetic essay on anime way back in 1999: Japanese animation unleashes the mind: www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/japanese-animation-unleashes-the-mind Quotes: "To watch these titles is to understand that animation is not an art form limited to cute little animals and dancing teacups. It releases the imagination so fully that it can enhance any story, and it can show sights that cannot possibly exist in the real world." "To discover these films leads to the revelation: We never fully understood animation before, and therefore did not fully understand what the cinema could do. When I first saw "Totoro," I knew that no one would ever again have to explain those shelves of anime to me. Of course, a lot of those titles may be junk. A lot of everything is junk. But I have never seen anything from Ghibli that isn't a treasure."

[@rockhero2274]

Erasmus I grew up on Siskel and Ebert. I wish they were still around

[@Doggie_San]

Agreed

[@jasminedubois6711]

If Roger Ebert says a movie will make you cry, it will.

[@slug237711]

Jasmine Dubois Sadly I didn't, I must be heartless XD It touched me, but it's tough to find a film that will make me shed tears :o

[@Blodia1990]

slug237711Schindler's list?

[@Honeythief212]

Roberto Masensi it's fiction so it's way less touching than Grave of the Fireflies which is based on the author's life

[@Blodia1990]

But, strong trolling or supreme anti-Semitism

[@Honeythief212]

Roberto Masensi No I'm absolutely serious, while yes Schlinder's list _is_ based on the Holocaust it is a a fictional story, the author said it himself.

[@antonio_boer]

I watched this movie so long ago and when it ended I was devastaded. Still remember the emptyness it left inside me, like if all happyness ceassed to exist. The best movie I never wanna watch again.

[@beni9362]

nemoj srat' boga ti

[@oktopussy9628]

Antônio Boer I was actually really really greatfull for never having siblings that i can lose ,because i even just the imagination of this psin it tastet through the film was enough to knock me down.

[@Atlas_Redux]

This is almost the reaction my mother had when I introduced it to her, except she loves it so much, she just can't avoid rewatching it now and then. I've seen it 3 times, and it was so tough every time, but what a masterpiece. I think my mother is up to 20 views or so, hehe.

[@abhaymishra30]

@@Atlas_Redux Yeah I want to rewatch it too, but I think time and again if the right amount of time has gone by since I watched, just to make sure that when I do again I get to experience it anew. One more thing, I think most people by overtly commenting and propagating the message that it will make you cry every damn second, take away much off the effect of the film for the new viewer, he sees it not as an experience, but "when will i cry, shit aint that sad", and thats a real curse (at least that how I felt robbed). People should just recommend it and not make it always sound like "watch if you wanna cry".

[@MM-fb4iw]

Why does it feel that I wrote this comment? I remember I said to someone that it's the best movie I'm never going to watch again (I did). Also, I spell happyness with a y.

[@mhrab7728]

Finally a movie critic I can respect and agree with.

[@davidadeboyejo1548]

Only if this guy was still alive

[@Johnlindsey289]

What about Ocpcommunications here on youtube?

[@HaleonRanks]

I miss Roger Ebert. I hope he is resting in peace.

[@the-engneer]

Fuck that prick! You obviously weren't around for the height of his career. He disliked soooo many good films for bullshit reasons

[@the-engneer]

He's the epitome of an asshole film critic

[@MTTT19]

I remember when someone asked me what I thought of this Movie and I told them that "It was so good that I couldn't watch it again!" They of course didn't know what I meant when I said that. Once they themselves saw the movie, then they understood what I meant.

[@Shrew-22O1]

Matt Thornton so true!! When my friends also asked me I was like "it's such a good movie that I wouldn't want to watch it again".. 😂😭😭

[@joyin9852]

Matt Thornton dude I cried my eyes out at the end

[@Momaters]

Exactly this!! I told my friends the same thing too 😭

[@francojalaron517]

so sad that u can't bear to watch it again 😢😢😢

[@catluva74]

I've watched it a few times and it still hits me every single time.

[@hkoizumi3134]

My grandfather in Japan experienced this tragedy first hand. When I was a child, he told me stories about the aftermath of bombing. He described it as seeing living ghost walking and crawling in the street. They were burnt beyond human recognition asking for help. He never blamed anyone for this strangely. He said it himself that reality if it all was too much to bare and blaming was a luxury they did not have.

[@davebeningfield]

My father was a British prisoner of war in Kobe and, like your grandfather, experienced this first hand. Though he was treated most cruelly by the Japanese military but he saw how the average innocent civilian suffered during these raids. He is 98 now and rarely ever has talked about it. I know he struggles with his memories but to his credit he survived without resorting to blame or racism.

[@A98712]

Both stories are sad and i don't think they were blaming anyone. They were just sharing. Read and understand.

[@wjun0131]

Your grandad did some sick shit across the sea.

[@fuzzyhair321]

Maybe that's why all the racism kinda stopped. Look at the horror we placed on each other and the suffering

[@PrinceChaloner]

My 2nd great grandfather's brother was bayoneted to death in the Philippines by Japanese troops just because he was military age nothing more. Also my uncles aunt was tied down in her house for no reason and they torched her house so she was burned to death. And my grandmother and her sisters had to shave their heads and told the Japanese soldiers they had cancer so they wouldn't be raped...

[@OneSolace]

Wow, I must say Roger really knows his stuff, especially when he was talking about the pillow shots. Very well mannered and an articulated person.

[@michaeloffgrid]

Roger truly was a lover of film and not just a "critic." He is missed!

[@knightheaven8992]

He was a proper film critic.

[@ALonelyWeeaboo]

There's a reason why he's considered the world's best film critic

[@davy209]

I absolutely agree with Roger when he said that making “Grave of the Fireflies” as a live action movie instead as an animated movie, would take away that special “jin na sais qua” or that special something that makes the movie do great. I totally get what he’s saying but it’s impossible for me to try to find the right words to explain it!

[@bananian]

I think this movie gave a more human side to the Japanese and showed that in a war, no one wins.

[@gilderoylockhart222]

War does not determine who is right, only who is left.

[@WetaMantis]

@@gilderoylockhart222 The "Truth" is proclaimed by the winner, the rest goes out like a firefly.

[@periwinkle1031]

@@WetaMantis but there is no winner.....

[@Gabriel-hy8be]

​@@WetaMantis That's almost never the case. Losing sides in wars almost aways make their case heard, and sometimes, even more vocaly than the winning side. That's the case for example of the Japanase Nationalists denial of warcrimes during WW2, the Myth of the Clean Werchmarch fabricated by people like Franz Halder and other Germans Generals and the Myth of Confederacy Lost Cause created by pro-confederate organizations like United Daughters of the Confederacy, all wildly successful propaganda pieces by the losing side.

[@WetaMantis]

@@Gabriel-hy8be No, my case is that "The Truth" is what is wildly known by the public to be true, no one cares if a couple of historians are still aware of the the other side's version. The thing is: it doesn't matter, 99% of people know the official version. Also it's not the same as opinion, you can have a different opinion on something but if you don't know what really happened, it's irrelevant. The fact that the losing side would somehow have more impact on the public doesn't make sense, the winning power would make their damn best to impose their point of view (propaganda). Of course once things settle you can begin to see other people opinion but then it is too late, treaties have been signed, retributions, borders have been redrawn.

[@AlexDeLarge1]

Roger Ebert said some really brilliant humanist stuff. Good cultural philosopher.

[@TheClusterCrunch]

I know this is really late and unrelated, but it's cool to see an AnCo fan here

[@AlexDeLarge1]

+TheClusterCrunch 'Preciate it. Here Comes the Indian isn't my favorite album from them, not by a long shot, but it's a cool avatar ;3

[@CunningCondor]

"Video games can never be art."

[@d3lvn]

you still salty about that? being wrong about certain things every once in a while doesn't invalidate his body of work, dorkus.

[@deepstariaenigmatica2601]

@@d3lvn what the hell is wrong with you?

[@KeiichiO]

I've decided recently to watch all the Studio Ghibli films in chronological order, and I almost wanted to skip this film and move straight to Totoro because I've heard it's incredibly depressing, and I wasn't sure if I could handle the feels, but decided to suck it up, and watched it last night. I've been in kind of a bummer mood ever since. I cried during the film and before bed, I cried waking up this morning because I dreamed of it, and I cried making breakfast this morning because I was thinking about it. I do not regret viewing it, though. It is a very powerful movie, and it's important to acknowledge the past, and understand what people went through in the times of war. I've ALWAYS hated war, and whenever I'd learn about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in school, I'd be put in such a sour mood, and think, "How could anyone do this?", but after viewing this film, and seeing a realistic case of what people had to deal with, my god, it hit me in the chest. It hit me so hard. Very beautiful, but also very tragic, and depressing. I would not recommend viewing this if you're in a low place in life, but I think it's definitely worth at least a single viewing. As beautiful and important I think this movie is, I doubt I'll ever watch it again, simply because I know it will destroy me emotionally...

[@JesusChrist-vn7hj]

Real, I watched this with the homies, and we were all cryin

[@MsFancypants9]

Bless your heart, and those of your homies!

[@JesusChrist-vn7hj]

MsFancypants you too mayne, and these are some staunch niggas we talking bout too 😂😂

[@panadaol9373]

yea every time i ever watch one oh ghibli movies every now and then, i get this depression. Not suicidal or any of that sort, but feel really down on the ground and i just cant find myself and feels like im lost in the movie. The movies connects with us spiritually and emotionally which really does give me this strange feeling.

[@JesusChrist-vn7hj]

Floralsasha real tho!!! I can't go on with my day or sleep properly after I watch one

[@AFIG92]

Just finished watching...when they passed setsuko dancing around in their bunker home after she passed away, when she literally played by herself bc her brother was out getting food, it was such a touching moment. Very very sad

[@xKrimmySan]

A. Figueroa I know he had to go out get food and everything.. But I really wish they could spend even more time together. That scene where Setsuko grabs him and tells Seita not to go had me in PUDDLES.

[@sugengsuprianto5454]

😭😭😭😭😭

[@sugengsuprianto5454]

@@xKrimmySan 😭😭😭😭😭

[@markvincentosea3078]

Seeing the little kid eat his own blood and mud makes me really sad. And how did the kid lost her mind because of starvation. 😭😭

[@Pintkonan]

you know its sad if the memories kick in and you start crying over a youtube comment )=

[@dragonwarriorz1]

RIP Roger Ebert. I really like to hear his views on anime. I loved this film so much.

[@davy209]

I absolutely agree with Roger when he said that making “Grave of the Fireflies” as a live action movie instead as an animated movie, would take away that certain “jin na sais qua” or that special something that makes the movie do great. I totally get what he’s saying but it’s impossible for me to try to find the right words to explain it!

[@SS_Atlantic_Greyhound1119]

​@@davy209it would lack that unique substance that makes it stand out? It has the feels of a live action war film, but the animation portrayals of the hellish conflict and destruction are what sells it on a animated front. Its that combo of realism with expression of animation. At least, that is what I am assuming and I could very well be wrong,

[@oldguyjeff6646]

I am a 34 year old man. I watched this movie about 9 years ago, my daughter was 4 at the time. I’m a guy that cries about once every 1-2 years. I cried during this film, a lot. Not a few tears, I’m talking the UGLY cry, snot pouring, tears flowing, face beat red from trying to hold it all in. I felt like a piece of me died after watching this movie. I was emotionally numb for almost 2 weeks. That being said, this is an Amazing film and I believe everyone should watch this just for the experience.

[@Andicu015]

I've always refers to this movie, like the movie you only can see once and what you said is the reason why. I still wanting to more people watch the movie simply because is a truly masterpiece.

[@redbandjack]

I am the exact same way. I'm a 28 year old man and I bottle up my feelings and tears about 1-2 years at a time. I watched this film for the first time back in 2020 and it hit me like a train. I knew it was sad but I didn't think I'd be snotty-nosed and red in the face. Just this morning I felt the need for some catharsis and pulled up the final scene from this film again because I knew it was a sure-fire way to externalize my feelings.

[@mohdsyazwan8750]

😢 yup, until now I don't have ball to rewatch this movie again

[@kenjifox4264]

I watched this movie for the first time in my late 20s as a single man. It made me quite emotional and I realized that this movie was something special so I bought a DVD copy. Now 20 years later I’m a dad of a toddler. When I watch snippets of this movie like now it touches me a hundredfold to the core and drives to tears every time. Something like this highlights how wonderful and how special and sacred and pure having a child is. A recommendation for you. When this movie was released in theaters in Japan in 1988 it actually debuted as a double feature. The Grave of the Fireflies played first, then My Neighbor Totoro second. (Both movies were made to be part of the same world.) So both movies are meant to be watched together, in that order, because there is a message built into that sequence. If you haven’t watched Totoro, please do.

[@tonyt50]

Yes it was upsetting, but it shouldn’t affect you that much - it is movie/art at the end of the day.

[@TimpsterTheDude]

Just watched this movie, & my keyboard is drenched. I finished it 10 minutes ago & I'm still sobbing ;_;

[@GenevaRob72]

I'll give you a hug later...

[@TimpsterTheDude]

GenevaRob72 Woah #Moist

[@apocalipsenerd]

TimpsterTheDude Well If GoF was touching for you don't watch Hadashi no Gen

[@roboliver623]

Grester Is that the title?

[@apocalipsenerd]

Yep "Hadashi no Gen" in english "Barefoot Gen"

[@7srchoed]

This movie broke my heart. I cried so many times that I had to pause the movie to clean myself up. I told my brother that it's one of the best films I've seen, and I never want to see it again. I bought the DVD because I needed to have it, but I still haven't broken the wrapper.

[@DanielRamirez-md9ry]

Yo Yo buy the blu ray, looks amazing, to cry again

[@YTLawnGnome]

Grave of The Fireflies is one of the greatest films I have ever seen in my entire life.

[@112steinway]

How good is this movie? This movie is so heartbreaking and so good at delivering an emotional knockout that I have only been able to bring myself to see this twice in my entire life. It's been over five years since I saw this movie and I still remember it.

[@ezamile]

yes totally true, i can barely breath after watching this movie

[@GreatWonderMoose]

Twice? I wish I had your strength.

[@goldpython2263]

Only once for me. Haven't had the nerve to watch it again.

[@waunke56]

the only other movie that comes to mind is Shindlers List. Both just have moments that you can never forget.

[@GenevaRob72]

This movie emotionally devastated me for days...I couldn't stop thinking about it. I just want to reach through the screen and give the little girl a bite to eat....

[@babybirdhome]

This was the first and still one of the only animated features that I ever truly felt should be referred to as a film rather than a movie. It completely changed the way I think about animated media. Before I saw this, I had never even considered that animation could be the equal of live action, but after watching it, I'm not sure live action can really be the equal of animation. Remarkable film-- one of the best ever. Impossible to watch, but also impossible not to.

[@jon6car]

My wife felt very similarly till I showed her this movie. I can honestly say I've never seen her cry like that for any other film thus far.

[@lachlanstill4813]

babybirdhome Well if you want to be technical anime is recorded onto film from each individual drawn frame, but I do get where you're coming from.

[@cuda426hemi]

+Lachlan Still He means when dealing with "live" you are limited; with animation you can convey anything the imagination conjurs AND use half the frame rate of film without affecting the story at all, they "shoot on twos" - no live action can pull off what animation does. That's why today it's all cgi, no real anything. Lastly-Technically, there is NO MORE FILM in the Hollywood Movie Machine so you might want to update your notepad

[@gabenovski]

babybirdhome couldnt agree more. u nailed it.

[@JoshuaFagan]

I love Ebert's voice. And his words, of course.

[@t0pdoc]

This old dude knows his stuff :3

[@t0pdoc]

***** ? xD

[@iNvictaStudios]

***** He's one of the greatest people in the history of film

[@POLARSCARETHESOLDIER]

Ebert WAS one of the greatest film critics of all time. (You were chronically incorrect, sorry.)

[@babybirdhome]

Soviet Gamer You're close-- the word you're looking for here is "chronologically" in English. "Chronically" _might_ work here, but it's not likely what you were really intending to say.

[@CunningCondor]

"Video games can never be art."

[@themetacrisis]

I miss Roger Ebert. I didn't always agree with him, but he always made his case so eloquently. RIP.

[@AlexxEnglishh]

I watched this movie about 8 years ago. I've often thought about rewatching it but then I think about the story, instantly get extremely sad and decide to spare my emotions. It says a lot about a film if it can still do that to you years after watching it.

[@Vebinz]

I really miss this man.

[@HDZEP]

he's not reviewing grave of firefly. he's explaining why japanese anime is better than disney pixar. *grabs popcorn*

[@citycrusher9308]

He's right about the pillow shots. They put the 'ordinary' feel into the film that makes the 'extraordinary' jump out.

[@puppetmaster1011]

Certain American directors like John Lasseter and Darren Aronofsky have been influenced by Japanese animators. John Lasseter freely admits the influence Hayao Miyazaki has had on him and Darren Aronofsky has also been influenced by the late Satoshi Kon. As much as I love Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, and Blue Sky Studios (somewhat) Japanese animation has brought fourth a slew of great, influential visionaries in the realm. Mamoru Hosoda, Makoto Shinaki, Mamoru Oshii, Yoshiyaki Kawajiri, and Katsuhiro Otomo to name some others.

[@33Manga33]

Albert Corley Yes but it's mutual the influence spreads all over back and forth from eastern and western art. Pixar and ghibli for me a incredibly hard to choose between they've both perfect there individual mediums.

[@reelheck]

You know, it's true. Anime brings a sense of being full. It is so complete feeling, like it doesn't leave out any emotion. It holds onto all the emotions it can think of and then compiles them into an emotionally stimulating story. I love it, and in my opinion, the American cartoons that I watch on cartoon network are great, but no where near as amazing as anime.

[@ZandeKongo]

In my opinion Ghibli is better than Disney/Pixar simply because they make substantial films, they're not about using films to sell toys to kids.

[@naddiex6516]

this is the kind of movie you NEED to watch once in your lifetime.

[@mikaelnyman2293]

This movie broke my heart...

[@Ihavetruth22]

it was shit. terrible and misleading. any war has children die in it.

[@asherrayawa2821]

+Eric jones what was misleading about the movie?

[@Ihavetruth22]

misleading movie. tortureous movie. pitiful. mothers an idiot.Rukongai Philharmonic

[@gelmir7322]

+Eric jones how can it be misleading? if you are saying that its pro-japanese propaganda then ive doubt that you watched the movie because they portray the japanese culture and japanese people themselves in a very bad light.

[@mikaelnyman2293]

I don't understand, what do you mean "misleading"?

[@boigercat]

This was one of the first anime films i seen as a kid, it aired on sbs late at night and i had school the next day. Before this i had only seen anime like dragon bal z. I had no idea what i was getting into. This movie shaped who i am as a person today.

[@visualspark6308]

CazMatazz Wow where did you get that stale joke from your 90s teen sitcom? FYI movies can inspire people and this movie has so many beautiful messages and morals. Don’t judge this movie as nerd material because it has an anime art-style. Studio Ghibli films are sophisticated works of art that shouldn’t even be compared in the same vein to weird fetish anime shows. *not saying all anime is stuff for people with weird fetishes don’t attack me

[@antonellamarchese8811]

@CazMatazz ignorant...

[@danielgrimes8312]

A that would be

[@lordtouchme77]

@Oliver ClothesOff you're talking about yourself?

[@10191927]

Grave of the Fireflies was also a movie that completely took me by surprise. I had always grown up with cartoons and animated movies, but grave of the fireflies really is a film like no other. It's not afraid to be intense and gripping and downright sad, but then quiet and thoughtful, and allows you to reflect. There is a sense of awe to it, it's a lovely, deep film. Maybe the deepest animated film I think in terms of humanizing the characters and making them believable, and if they weren't drawn on an animated cel, they would almost be real.

[@Primelight]

There's no way I'd put Death Note in the category of "deep". Entertaining, yes, but not deep, at all. Lain and Proxy are for sure though. One I would mention is The End of Evangelion, the deepest and most complex animated film I've seen on a psychological level. For a series on war and drama, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is the greatest and most emotional I've seen. Other deep series: Haibane Renmei and Texhnolyze.

[@CrazyRetroJunkie]

tbh im not the kind of person to cry at movies as my mind was already set on the thing being only just a movie, but man when you see setsuko slowly deteriorating, and the things her brother have to go through to cling that tiny little soul left in her just breaks my heart. and the aunt was such a biatch

[@slug237711]

CrazyRetroJunkie Just watched it today after a long time, an my bro saw it for the first time. I can't say for certain, but I think he was more touched by this than Wolf Children. I've seen a LOT of anime movies and he's not a huge fan, but thankfully I have introduced him to some titles - The Cat Returns Howl's Moving Castle Spirited Away Ponyo Grave of the Fireflies Summer Wars Wolf Children I think those are all that he's seen :)

[@GauravMahajanAvaron]

It was a very difficult film to watch. It was impossible to hold back tears.

[@tonichi-kun3901]

Im a filipino and we too have suffered a great deal of damage dealt by the japanese in ww2 no i wasnt born in that time but i knew it just by hearing some stories from old folks who lived during that time and what we learn from history class. Like other countries ex. china or korea we too have some resentments and grudges till now against the japanese despite me being a freak at everything japanese but that was cast out when i watch this film not because it teaches you not to hate them but teaches you on how to retain your humanity despite of our weaknesses,teaches you on how to protect someone you love even if all the odds are against you. The japanese they too suffered the same fate as we have during that time of war no it wasnt karma it was human ignorance that inorder to survive we have to kill each other and it took an anime to show me that!

[@captainjacksparrow1911]

Oh my god you are awesome! No really you are! If everyone could think like you the world would not hate. You made my day, thumbs up to you! Sorry if I weirded you out but seriously happy right now :D

[@shalomantony]

I was prepared for an angry reply... And now you have all my respect man.

[@JMdJ2001]

Just saw your comment, I too agree. Salamat.

[@jackal59]

Ebert was a erudite and intellectually curious critic. He doesn't just know about "movies." That has always been rare, and it's even rarer today.

[@marcodragneel8035]

Thats something a good critic or scholar must have; cutiosity. So many these days just seek what they want or what the industry wants, but never really looking for the unknown that might just be something special

[@dpyxl]

what a review.. critics should do this kind if style.. miss u roger ebert. rip..

[@ssjdre]

If this was reviewed by Roger Ebert in 1988 it is pretty amazing to hear in 2023. Now Anime is mainstream and we have the luxury of being able to choose from so many shows and movies. Roger Ebert was so far ahead of his time in regards to his perspective on Anime and Anime as a real medium of art and cinema in a period where it was considered weird or just cartoons. A master at movie review.

[@maisalreemm5361]

It's incredibly depressing to think that stories like this are still happening today in our war-stricken, justice-stripped world. Children all over the world including countries like Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Burma, Yemen, Palestine..may God help us.

[@Zapharus]

Seriously. If only we could learn to focus on our similarities rather than our differences. We humans are so intelligent yet so incredibly stupid. Our stupidity, greed, and ignorance causes so much suffering. We do not learn from our past at all. 😒😔

[@SarahSakura]

Amen 🙏

[@MrRofi-jp7mo]

As if films could depict the horrors that occur daily on the sadistic shit hole that is earth. This place is operated by unmatched evil.

[@user-xh6ib1vc1o]

You can add Ukraine into list

[@Just.Kidding]

@@MrRofi-jp7mo cultivation theory really did a number on you.

[@ferraricarpaccio1811]

I watched this film with both my wife and 5 year old daughter and I cried like a baby hugged my child so tight, eventhough it is only a anime master peace if truly touches your heart, please if you have not seen this film pleaseeeee do so.

[@Diraphe]

+MrnMrs Rossi Why would you watch something like this with a child? You probably scarred her.

[@GBY13]

+MrnMrs Rossi your comment made me cry..

[@snowberry8126]

MrnMrs Ros

[@ArbiterofMankind]

Diraphe I’m about a year late on this one, but I’ll reply anyway. I watched this movie as a 6 year old as my Father was a fan of studio Ghibli’s work. At the time he didn’t know what to expect from the movie and I was just a child so I mostly didn’t understand the movie. Although I did break into tears near the end of the movie. Fast forward 10 years after watching this film again. I broke again. I couldn’t remember a single thing from my first viewing and honestly after being more matured and have a better understanding of war, my heart broke into pieces and I had a mental breakdown.

[@Reverie876]

Is it just me or was it SO MUCH more emotional watching it in sub rather than dub? There's just something about the original Japanese version... I mean just the little girls voice moved you to tears... You could never replace the original masterpiece in my opinion.......

[@Reverie876]

@loopyloopmusic Same! I always like the sub more. Although, I watched Full metal alchemist brotherhood dub but that's the only one I could watch dub...

[@JoeJoeJoe25]

In case of Graves of Firefly, i think when you watched it as dub, it's become an animation. But when you watched it on sub, it becomes an historical pieces

[@makarov7192]

the sub is so much better but i cant read the subtitles with so many tears in my eyes LOL

[@gabrielasanmont]

I couldn't agree more! But I confess it was a little bit hard to read because, you know... tears!

[@TheCODfatherSD]

I watched the sub, god it was sad

[@onthegrid6933]

Bruh after watching this movie I was literally in shambles. I really don't cry much while watching movies, but this one has destroyed me. It left me for fucking days in depression. An amazing piece of art, but however I will watch it never again. My feels couldn't handle it again.

[@rhiannemiller6913]

Same. I just watched it like 2 mins ago. Setsukos death brought me down so hard, i lost it 😭😭 and when you realise at the start of the movie how the cleaners or whatever where exclaiming over the fruit drop tin and the white stuff in it, it was Setsukos ashes and they threw it out 😭 never ever watching this movie again its wayy to sad. THEY DIDNT DESERVE TO DIEEEEEEEEEEE

[@Arielelian]

This is my most favorite movie of all time...and I can watch it over and over, again and again. The emotions of the movie never dull, and it never loses its luster. Even the opening sound track is enough to bring me to tears. It's just an awesome movie!!!! PS - This movie was an apology from the writer to his baby sister, who died during the war. He wished that in real life, he was like Seita, who shared food with his baby sister, but in reality, he didn't. Of course, that's what led to her eventual death by starvation.

[@Johnlindsey289]

Over and over? Geez

[@DannysMyNanny]

When one of the best film critics alive today says this movie moved him to tears....

[@johnsorrow1987]

One of the most emotionally moving films i have ever seen, could not stop crying. watched it only once. If this film did not have you in tears....congrats...you have no heart.

[@ThomasPollock95]

One of the most heart-wrenching films made, and one of the best animated movies. Studio Ghibli

[@serbonkers4130]

I watched this movie like 20 years ago. Never watched it again. I dont have the heart to see that little girl again. Shes happy now. 😭😭😭😭😭

[@pikaace]

After seeing this movie, I felt like I needed anti-depressants. 'Grave of the Fireflies' is one of the few movies that made me cry even though I knew what was coming. ;_;

[@drointhewind480]

I remember the first time I saw this movie. A friend loaned me a bunch of ghibli films. I had never seen any of them. The first I saw was porco rosso which was awesome. Then Grave of The Fireflies made me cry for like 2 hours.

[@MTTT19]

A film so brilliant and full of emotion that even to this day, I cannot watch it again.

[@mulawarmankwsuper]

RIP Isao Takahata, your works will always be remembered forever.

[@CarbonatedTurtle]

Just about moved to tears? Come on, Roger. Anyone who doesn't cry at least a few times while watching this movie isn't human.

[@frenchhornempire_8479]

Carbonated Turtle I was about to cry but my father was watching me so I held it and I cried at my bed

[@xmlthegreat]

He was probably trying to be understated lol. Telling people the exact truth about how you felt would have been considered TMI in those days.

[@rozihanafi5447]

i dont deny this movie is sad. Many people just skip this movie and say...oh this is sad. Look again closely. Look closely. War only kill poor people. While the rich will laugh on your dead body. It is disgusting. That is why i hate war. I feel sad for almost entire this movie....but surely...my anger is bigger than sad.

[@JamesBond-xc6co]

@Carbonated Turtle , tbh , I didn't cry , through the entire film . I have seen the movie as it is , just with eng subs . Rather I was filled with rage against the aunt for obvious reasons . Had I been there , she would have witnessed the gruesome murder of her family in front of her , to let her feel the pain .

[@letsgobrandon1906]

I didn’t cry but I did feel my soul clenching in many scenes

[@billierae726]

This is probably the only movie that's ever made me cry.

[@LouisPhung999]

Grave of the Fireflies taught me how cruel war really is and how much it cost so many lives to end it.

[@thisisalongnamebecausegoog4931]

He did this perfectly. I cried at the thought of the movie

[@MadWinter889]

This is probably one of the best and most important films ever made.

[@lauropadilla1114]

This film is more than a sad film. It's a masterpiece. It's the kind of film that no longer exist. The kind of film that comes once in a lifetime.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

The part where the phonograph plays "Home, Sweet Home" at the end always makes me tear up. A movie that seemed to be about death is really about life! Many thanks to Ebert and Siskel for first introducing me to it...

[@Carefulwiththataxejs81]

I just watched this movie for the first time tonight with my boyfriend. Its one of those films that doesn't need a lot of words to get the point across. Still emotional from it all.

[@Art1611]

A Defense of Japanese Animation, and, perhaps, one of the best I've ever heard. I love when he refers to the "pillow scenes" in Japanese film and animation; I've always noticed this and have loved how you feel as if the environment is a part of the entirety of the scenes. These cinematographic choices can be seen in Evangelion, and various other anime. I only wish American animation could learn from the Japanese styles.

[@edienandy]

I like those pillow scenes too, although I will say I wish Japanese animation would maybe have a little more actual animation.

[@jamesleon4883]

I was thinking of evangelion when reading your comment.

[@garaschneider4808]

Some might say Eva abused "pillow shots" to cover for the show's diminishing budget. Fortunately, Anno's personal breakdown at least led to them carrying more emotional weight than we'd expect.

[@eightreasons566]

Felt the need to come here today. Brilliant film. Rip to it's amazing director.

[@chicapees]

When I watched the subbed version, I cried like a little girl. When I watched the dubbed version, my ears cried blood.

[@chicapees]

Hannah Small But don't you think the little girl is so much better with an actual kid playing the role? She's much more realistic and likable.

[@chicapees]

Is it coz the subtitles get in the way? Or do you just prefer dubbed versions of foreign films? The only dubbed versions I like are the ones for Miayazki films.

[@chicapees]

Hannah Small Yeah, the one for Black Lagoon is legit. I also prefer the dubbed version for Cowboy Bebop. For me, it's just about what represents the character better. I don't mind the dub as long as it's good acting.

[@chicapees]

Hannah Small I even thought the dub for MM was legit. And I prefer it dubbed since the visuals are what make the anime. I understand why people find the dubbed version annoying though, but I think it's because the magical girls, especially Madoka are just annoying characters in general. I mean, besides being witch killers, they're middle school girls talking about life. Ha. They sound annoying even in high-pitched Japanese. (By the way, I'm not hating on the anime. It was badass.)

[@eejdmrj3hw]

The thing with Madoka is that the Japanese voice acting (in my opinion) is better then most of the Japanese voice acting I've heard. The dub is still good never the less.

[@taisei8485]

This movie made me so sad. I couldn’t stop crying for almost an hour after watching this. 😢

[@debraghbrown3079]

War is the joy/power of old rich men at the cost of young and innocent, with no thought of the destruction thats left behind in its wake. 💔🥺

[@AbhilashNoxBaruahnx1ee7]

Caution: This movie will destroy you. But, that doesn't change the fact that it's still one heck of an impactful movie of beautiful visuals.

[@ProStringsify]

Whatever the critics says, this is a must watch if you want to understand humanity.

[@baekhyunandeggs3564]

This is those types of movies you never wanna watch again because of how sad it is.

[@stuvs830]

Loved listening to him speak on film, which became lessons on culture and human existence. Towards the end I'd stumbled upon his blog and that was lovely, too. His death is a hard loss, but what a well-lived life.

[@StarMama90]

Just watched this for the first time. I was NOT prepared.

[@ivantem86]

I think the reason why it is my best movie is it makes me experience like I actually lost someone I loved, such experience also makes me appreciate and grateful to even small things in real life.

[@evejrami6]

Saddest movie ever I cried so much.

[@mrinvader]

agreed. this movie requires a whole roll of TP

[@fakhrulangahanwar2671]

Brutally honest and heartbreaking war movie ever made. 10/10. ☆☆☆☆☆.

[@BushyHairedStranger]

Its beautiful to see others moved, deeply emotionally moved by Art. The fact that the combination, especially in this format-Cartoon, can evoke our deepest souls of fear, hurt, sympathy and empathy for suffering.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

One of the best movies of all-time.

[@carathebaker]

A film filled with such tragedy, pathos, and heartaching beauty.

[@SavannahVu1985]

This man is so articulate, I appreciate the way he explains/describes things in such detail and the way he takes the time & care to structure his words so he gets his point of view across but not to offend anyone. Such a lovely man, any movie he says will make you cry, you DARN sure will!! This movie shattered me........ I felt a overwhelming feeling of deep sadness that I just couldn’t shake off no matter how hard I tried. I am not upset that I watched it, I just that my overly sensitive, empathetic heart/personality and the way I am is just not cut out to deal with so much hurt and pain. The movie is absolutely beautiful but Should come with a warning that you will turn into a blubbering mess followed by massive bouts of sadness.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Absolutely a top 10 of all time. Breathtaking and brutally emotional.

[@crazyflip1176]

Nosaka was born in Kamakura, Kanagawa, the son of Sukeyuki Nosaka, who was a sub-governor of Niigata. Together with his sisters he grew up as an adopted child of a Harimaya (surname) family in Nada, Kobe, Hyōgo. One of his sisters died as the result of sickness, and his adoptive father died during the 1945 bombing of Kobe in World War II. Another sister died of malnutrition in Fukui. Nosaka would later base his short story Grave of the Fireflies on these experiences. He is well known for children's stories about war. His Grave of the Fireflies and American Hijiki won the Naoki Prize in 1967.

[@Paps012]

this movie made me cry so much, it change my view of life taking good care of my family and children on the street

[@marcodragneel8035]

How the hell can this man be so serious and appreciative of animation from different places while so many adults disregard it as infantile? Thank you sir for speaking for this film and animation in general

[@barnimakesvideos]

Well, hes regarded as a great critique for a reason

[@ronitganguly3318]

I can't believe we let this happen to children even in this age. The passing of Setsuko in the movie has deeply affected me in many forms. I feel that I need to go out there and help the children in need. My hear is heavy after watching this and I can't express enough how deeply sad I am right now. I cried when I saw her making dumplings of mud. My father used to say," to a starving person, the moon looks like a round bread".We can't let this happen to children anymore.

[@alexanderphilip1809]

the mud dumplings got me too. Its the innocence, the hunger. it was too muchto watch

[@chrissibersky4617]

He was almost moved to tears... So a human can survive and keep living without a heart.

[@golddace4089]

I dont think i ever cried this long after growing up (iam 18)I was just sobbing tremendously watching this masterpiece

[@LegitFUry]

This is, without a doubt, on of the saddest films I've ever seen.

[@ShiniGorky187]

This is one of the only movies that have made me cry. I bet the critics like Ebert cried too.

[@karmiliaandrade9508]

I always have nothing but the greatest respect for Roger’s film reviews.

[@deplorabled1695]

48 years old, just watched it this morning (Count Dankula brought me here). I have never watched anime before this movie. I am in bits and can't stop crying all day. Heartbroken.

[@jayveedecastro2778]

rest in peace, Takahata Isao 😔💕

[@RSEFX]

He was moved ALMOST to tears. I wonder what it would have taken to actually move him to tears?

[@thomasdonovan3580]

The best movie critic that has ever lived.

[@sylvandelacruz]

That was so thoughtful and beautiful, really. I always loved Siskel & Ebert growing up. Ever since they started on public television. I always related to them and found the show very entertaining.

[@AndreiGavrilMH]

The film was made after a true story. Google it. I cried like a little girl. Not even at my grandparents funerals did i cry like that much than i did when i watched Grave of the Fireflies

[@Satopi3104]

The thing about American animation is that it is very detailed and has lots of "information" in every shot, so if you freeze a frame, it will look much more like a real-life photograph in the sense that there will be a lot more detail even in the background. But we don't watch animation in freeze frame the same way we don't live life looking at photographs of each moment. We live life in real time, and it's well known by now just how much detail our brains block out so we can focus on the things we need to focus on. So in any given moment in our lives, other that one thing we are focusing one, life is pretty blurry and out of focus. In that way, I really think the "watercolor" nature of Ghibli has so much more realism than the photographic detail of Disney and Pixar. Ghibli is like Monet or Da Vinci - by reducing detail and clarity, they in fact create a world that looks so much more like ours than a minutely detailed painting that looks like it's frozen in a vacuum. I think the "pillow" moments Ebert talk about also go to the same thing - most of our lives are inconsequential moments, so including those give the story a depth and expansiveness that is closer to real life. Disney and Pixar movies go from meaningful moment to another meaningful moment, and it feels like everything is crammed into the movie as if nothing exists outside of that movie's borders.

[@Joh1002mm]

+Satopi3104 you should write an article

[@anobodyfromnowhere8427]

That's a great analogy

[@aposeastwood200]

I never ever cry, not during movies, not even about real events but this movie... it is so touching, I just rewatched it and I can't stop crying

[@SamJohnsonAZ]

Roger Ebert is that guy who’s opinions were timeless. He’s the critic who (almost) always got it right

[@uriatare9927]

I cried so hard when I watched this film, When I was 15

[@rivergaming6517]

1st time i saw this film and that was the last. I have never attempted to watch it again. This film is just so beautifully sad.

[@bepisplsno.1]

just remembering this film brings me to tears

[@NostalgiaNetwork]

I just watched this movie for the first (& probably last) time. It broke me

[@i_tarunxp]

This video is a gem

[@grossesTennis]

The cartoon no child should see, even PG 18 doesn't seem old enough to deal with that film emotionally.

[@Chrisfragger1]

You coddle children too much... I think children SHOULD watch this and movies like Watership Down. They need to harden their emotions a little.

[@giuliab8484]

Children can handle a lot more than you think. That being said, I wouldn’t show it to a small child

[@Vectone]

I saw this movie alone when I was like 8-9 on midnight tv my sister was also born and I was so sad after this movie. I’ve seen many movies to early age but it was worth it.

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

one of my favourite classic animated movies and Ebert is right if a movie can make you cry it is doing the right thing

[@DraculaCronqvist]

Definitely one of the best and depressing movies ever made. You know when something is so good, you cannot watch it again? That applies to this film.