The Book, The Film, The T-Shirt
  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Movies
  • Books
  • TV
  • Gaming
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
Movies 0

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2014)

By Malindy Hetfeld · On April 6, 2015


The Gist:

This adaptation of a popular Japanese folk tale, The Tale of Princess Kaguya tells the story of a couple who raise a child they found in a stem of bamboo. Neither knows their beautiful daughter is not of this world.

The Review:

If you have even the most fleeting interest in Japanese literature, you are bound to come across The Tale of Princess Kaguya (‘kaguya hime no monogatari’). In Japan it is a story so well-loved and often-adapted it was only a matter of time until Studio Ghibli would try their hand at an adaptation, too.

The animation studio’s films under director Hayao Miyazaki, recently retired, are known for being influenced by European stories and architecture, as well as traditional Japanese stories – Oscar winner Spirited Away for example is stuffed with references to Japanese mythology, while 2004’s Howl’s Moving Castle is the adaptation of a book by British author Diana Wynne Jones.

Kaguya, directed by Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, is definite proof that even without Miyazaki the studio’s magic won’t be lost.

In a time of constant computer enhancement and 3D animated films, Kaguya returns to the roots of animation with delightfully hand-drawn frames.

The result is a detailed picture in soft pastel colours, each frame moving at a gentle pace to give the film a very organic look. To those used to a bombardment of colours and a lot of action, the film will definitely come across as sedate, but its pacing both visually and narratively makes it a film for all audiences.

The dialogue, too, is poignant where and if it occurs, clearly the intention is for the audiences to concentrate on what the film is conveying visually, which is what Ghibli does best.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya, shares with its many predecessors a love of nature and the miracle of life and takes its time to establish meaningful relationships with its characters.

The ending, with as much foreshadowing as it comes, is all the sadder for how the characters will have grown to you in a short space of time, which is undeniably the sign of another Studio Ghibli masterpiece.

The Verdict:

Produced with incredible craftsmanship, The Tale of Princess Kaguya is as exotic as it is simple, as uplifting as it is sombre, and is a treat to both Ghibli fans and casual viewers.

 

Certificate: PG

Director: Isao Takahata

Starring: Mary Steenburgen, James Caan, Chloe Grace Moretz

Running Time: 137 minutes

Release Date: 20th March 2015

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2014)
Malindy Hetfeld
April 6, 2015
5/10
5 Overall Score

Chloe Grace MoretzIsao TakahataJames CaanMary SteenburgenStudio GhibliThe Tale of Princess Karaguya
Share Tweet

Malindy Hetfeld

Having studied Film and Japanese, Malindy is fully licensed to rant about movies all day - in Japanese, if need be, and is thus hoping to flex her writing muscles full-time soon. Keenly devouring stories in any shape, you can find her at the cinema, theatre or bookshop, and you will recognise her by one of her many Iron Man t-shirts. Really, writing for a website named like this was a match made in heaven.

You Might Also Like

  • Movies

    FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES Review

  • Movies

    CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD Review

  • Movies

    UNTIL DAWN Review

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe & Follow

Follow @thebookthefilm
Follow on Instagram
  • Popular
  • Comments
  • Tags
  • The Rise of Lockdown Streaming

    May 3, 2020
  • Salvo (2014)

    September 27, 2014
  • Penny Dreadful S1 EP 3 ‘Resurrection’ & EP 4 ‘Demimonde’ Review

    June 22, 2014
  • Pet Movie

    Spoiler Alert – Top 5 Horror Movie Twists

    March 17, 2017
  • warner bros. for her dvd collection

    Christmas Gift Guide: For Her – Heart Warming DVDs

    December 14, 2016
  • Win a copy of The Apartment on Limited Edition Blu-ray Courtesy of Arrow Academy

    December 23, 2017
David Griffiths marvel Ben Affleck J.K. Simmons Amy Adams Jai Courtney Lee Griffiths Hugh Jackman Chris pratt Scarlett Johansson Jason Clarke Daniel Craig Emilia Clarke Henry Cavill benedict cumberbatch Sky Atlantic Liam Neeson Ralph Fiennes
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure

ABOUT

Over opinionated and online. The Book, The Film, The T-Shirt was created for lovers of entertainment everywhere. We hope you enjoy it. Don't feed the writers after midnight.

Latest News

  • 3.5

    FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES Review

    May 13, 2025
  • 3.5

    CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD Review

    May 11, 2025
  • 2.5

    UNTIL DAWN Review

    May 10, 2025

SEARCH THE SITE

HIBS100 Index of Home and Interior Blogs
HIBS100

© 2016 Last Exit to Hollywood Media Limited. All rightsreserved. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”