Jigoku (1960)

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A graduate-school student has a friend who is pure evil. His friend and he are out driving one night when they hit a drunkard and the friend leaves the accident victim to die. The student's life then goes downhill from there.
 "Jigoku" is an utterly amazing Horror film, possibly the best one to come from Japan. The film has gained infamy for being the first all out gore flick. To be honest, its a bit less bloody than I expected. I really don't care about how graphic or not a film is however and I was completely impressed with this one. Even though I'm an agnostic, I've always found the concept of Hell to be horrifying (maybe its my Christian upbringing). Because of this, "Jigoku" was quite an unnerving experience. Its an incredibly surreal film, one of the few horror films I've seen with absolutely no standing in reality. The film's first half has been called slow-moving, but I feel its an interesting meditation on life and death. The second half is when it truly comes to life with the most memorable depiction of hell ever in the movies.

Part of the reason why the film works so well is the art direction and cinematography. "Jigoku" looks absolutely fantastic and is constantly dreamlike throughout. The direction by Nobuo Nakagawa is great also, as he knows the right moments to use a quick or slow pace. The screenplay is a bit ridiculous (why is it that the only two good and honest people in the film are the ones punished the most), but as with all nightmares it only seems illogical on reflection. The acting is campy to be sure but never distracting. "Jigoku" remains one of the greatest cult classics and a truly unique viewing experience. Kudos to Criterion for releasing another overlooked classic. (8/10)