Jigoku
Director: Nobuo Nakagawa
Year Released: 1960
Rating: 1.0
Notable as one of the first 'horror' films out of Japan, but hasn't really stood the test of time the way, say, Psycho has here in the United States (some people claim to be disturbed by the effects, but they just made me laugh). The depiction of Hell itself is of the Grand Guignol variety - dismemberment galore! - though once you remove the grimness of the last act, what remains is plodding and slightly dull, with unremarkable performances. Also, regarding the visions of 'punishment' and 'torture,' it's been-there, done-that for me: I was raised Catholic, and Guilt and Damnation are two words that have been funneled into my subconscious since birth.
