Extremely fun Daiei adaptation of two Kazuo Umezu shojo horror manga into a single, crazily fx-laden story. Directed by Noriaki Yuasa, who directed all the classic Gamera films, & many ep's of Ultraman, Casshern, etc. - this has loads of classic, in-camera effects, double exposures, genuinely excellent makeup, and crude but effective wriggly beast props.
It follows the fairy tale formula of an adorable pixie taken from a benevolent nun's care into a terrifying home seemingly haunted by not only a malevolent silver-haired witch, but also a curiously disfigured and hostile stepsister. The innocent child is named Sayuri, played well by Yachie Matsui as a very genuine and resourceful heroine.
Fans of Hollywood's more fantastic cinema such as Night of the Hunter, any Lewton/Tourneur, or Curse of the Cat People will find this an easily accessible entry point. The story is very simple, but has a level of weirdness and simulated child endangerment still effective for fans of contemporary horror.
**************SPOILER***************AHEAD****************** There are many wild dream sequences, and increasingly graphic reveals that there is something very wrong with the stepsister beyond a mere skin condition. The finale is not appropriate for small children, as it features one villainess wielding a two by four against the dangling heroine's tiny, clinging hands. Insane.
It follows the fairy tale formula of an adorable pixie taken from a benevolent nun's care into a terrifying home seemingly haunted by not only a malevolent silver-haired witch, but also a curiously disfigured and hostile stepsister. The innocent child is named Sayuri, played well by Yachie Matsui as a very genuine and resourceful heroine.
Fans of Hollywood's more fantastic cinema such as Night of the Hunter, any Lewton/Tourneur, or Curse of the Cat People will find this an easily accessible entry point. The story is very simple, but has a level of weirdness and simulated child endangerment still effective for fans of contemporary horror.
**************SPOILER***************AHEAD****************** There are many wild dream sequences, and increasingly graphic reveals that there is something very wrong with the stepsister beyond a mere skin condition. The finale is not appropriate for small children, as it features one villainess wielding a two by four against the dangling heroine's tiny, clinging hands. Insane.