Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories

The Ghost Of Yotsuya (Yotsuya Kaidan) (1959)

Unusual take on the oft-told kabuki kaidan tale from director Kenji Misumi offers a strikingly sympathetic spin on protagonist Tamiya Iemon (Kazuo Hasegawa), as the samurai finds himself suckered by conspirators who wish to see him remarry--after they dispose of his sickly spouse (Yasuko Nakada). Hideo Takamatsu, Yôko Uraji, Mieko Kondô, Jôji Tsurumi also star. 84 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR

The Bride From Hades (Botan-Dôrô) (1968)

As he weighed his conflict over familial demands one summer evening, samurai Hagiwara Shinzaburô (Kôjirô Hongô) was approached for help by beautiful courtesan Otsuyu (Miyoko Akaza) and her retainer Oyone (Michiko Otsuka). Falling hopelessly in love with Otsuyu, he'd be oblivious to the evidence proffered by a concerned community that the ladies were ghosts, in this lush take on a kaidan staple. Kô Nishimura co-stars. AKA: "Peony Lantern." 88 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR

The Snow Woman (Kaidan Yukijorô) (1968)

As he quested for a sacred tree to carve, young sculptor Yosaku (Akira Ishihama) was confronted by a beautiful ice demon (Shiho Fujimura)--who spared him only if he never spoke of their encounter. He soon falls into a whirlwind courthip with the mysterious Yuki (Fujimura, again)...but when a corrupt bailiff wants the new bride for his own, he'll have a chilling suprise, in Tokuzo Tanaka's kaidan opus. 80 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR

Widescreen; Soundtrack: Japanese; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes; theatrical trailers; more. In Japanese with English subtitles.