A Moving Experience

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2014)

Beware, this is not a movie for people with weak hearts. Keep a box of tissue ready with you always while watching.
I read a lot about Grave of the Fireflies before watching and this kind of research generally leads to decrease in intensity of the film while watching as one generally expects what is going to happen. However, it didn't happen with this. It was not only more overwhelming than I imagined, it was more overwhelming than I could have imagined.
As soon as the movie starts, you know how it's going to end, but still can not bear to watch as scene by scene unfolds and you are hoping and praying that the scene does not end in the worst possible way.
You are hoping to end the misery for the little kids as much as for you. I am very certain that I will never watch this film again as I can not go through the pain. However, I recommend everyone to watch it at least once.
The things I liked about this film were:
1. Amazing portrayal of a war situation. You will not find any more realistic and sad portrayals of the effects of war
2. Contrast: The contrast of the innocence of kids with the hatred and suffering of war
3. Helplessness: There is nothing more heartbreaking than the face of a helpless child. You get to see it so much in this film. It is truly heart-wrenching.
4. Special moments: This characteristic is very familiar in almost all Ghibli films, where you get an amazingly real portrayal of exchanges between two people that is almost impossible to create artificially and that is what I like so much about all Ghibli films. E.g. the scene where the brother and sister are taking a bath, among others.
5. Untouched/Non-discussed subjects: Subjects such as guilt, depravity, etc. are more than touched in this film. This makes it unique among animated films or even among live action films.
I remember very few films that have such an effect on me. Perhaps, none will ever will and that is the importance of this film for me.
This, according to me, is one of the finest Studio Ghibli films ever made. It is one of the most moving films I have ever seen and will probably ever see in my life. It doesn't get the recognition it deserves. When people start watching Ghibli films, they generally tend to focus on Hayao Miyazaki films, and films such as these get neglected. However, this film by Isao Takahata is up there with the best films ever made animated or non-animated.
I don't get the fact that people say that this deserves a live action film. I say that live action films don't deserve this script. I don't understand the hatred for animation and the movement towards effects rather than story. I for one, am a fan of animation, and this credit goes only to Studio Ghibli. Hats Off!!!