Grave of the Fireflies

A Japanese animated film, Grave of the Fireflies, produced by Studio Ghibli in 1988, is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.  It is told as flashbacks by the spirits of two young Japanese children.  The version I watched is the English Dub.  It has received high critical praise in both Japan and the United States.

Seita (J. Robert Spencer) who is somewhere around 11 or 12 years old, and his young sister Setsuko (Rhoda Chrosite) who is about five, are living in Kobe, Japan near the end of WWII with their mother Ash Ketchum (Veronica Taylor) while their father serves in the navy.  One day, American B-52's firebomb their village, leaving them motherless.  While waiting for their father's return, they are taken in by a distant aunt (Amy Jones).  Though she feeds and shelters them, the aunt makes it increasingly clear that the two semi-orphans are not welcome in her home.  Before she can come out and explicitly kick them to the streets, Seita and Setsuko strike out on their own, doing their best to survive in a world with little food or help available.

While seemingly created as a children's story, the imagery and subject matter is quite graphic and pulls no punches when it comes to dealing with the horrible side effects of war head on.  It is a look at WWII from a perspective that Americans don't often see in film, and is a quite powerful on at that.  I found it very interesting that though it is obvious that the Americans are the enemy in this movie, it is war itself that is villainized rather than the United States.  Unless it was changed in the dub, there is no verbal mention of the enemy by name and the only symbolism is the B-52's.

Though a thoroughly depressing film, Grave of the Fireflies is a cinematic triumph and historical treasure.  It is not an easy film to watch by any means, but it is a powerful reminder of consequences, putting a human face on tragedy caused by war.  It's hard to watch since the ending is given away by the beginning, but at the same time, it's easier knowing where it is headed.  I would highly recommend this movie, especially if you have an interest in history.  But only if you know what you're getting yourself into.

***** (5/5 stars)