Powerful, Moving, and Sad

Rating: 9/10 (4 June 2006)

Well when I saw this movie I was duly impressed. This movie wasn't half bad. It had a really strong story. And Oscar Worthy Screenplay I might add.
The story of this follows two young children in the closing days of WWII right up to October 9, 1945. (History buffs will know this as the time of the Great Divine Winds, that struck Japan that should have saved Japan from defeat. I wrote a big story on this) After losing their mother in a Fire-Bombing, Seita (voice of J. Robert Spencer) and his sister Setsuko (Rhoda Chrosite) try to survive. They go to live with their aunt, but the hospitality runs out quickly. (What a Bitch) Seita decides to leave his aunts home, and live in a bomb shelter (it's really more of a dugout-of-the-hill-side-type-area, not like a rock solid shelter) But as time moves on food becomes scarce, and Setsuko is slowly dying of malnourishment. Eventually she dies in her sleep, and Seita cremates her.
The film is based on the True Story of Author Akiyuki Nosaka who lost his sister, to malnutrition during the War. He wrote "Hotaru no haka" (A Grave of Fireflies) in 1967 to come to terms with it. I do hate to say but I have gripes with it. Really it lacked in original music. A story like this, I was expecting a great Original Score. (Much like Samurai X: Reflection) But it just didn't have it. (To bad they didn't have Hans Zimmer) The animation, oh well not pleasing, but oh well. Real and good, so no need for the flashy Anime, and seeing it's age.
Featured voices include: Chrispin Freeman, Veronica Talyor (breif) Dan Green (breif) And the ones mentioned above. So very very good dubbing quality, from a purely independent company.
A pure tragedy, but a fulfilling story, make all the difference. It's a wonderful movie, you should see it. You will cry, so gather a box of tissues.
I can't wait to get this on DVD.