Toho did far more than Godzilla films and it's a shame that that is all American audiences are really familiar with. I love and crave Japanese cinema, and this film is a perfect example as to why.
A beautiful young woman named Keiko Sagawa (Kayo Matsuo) goes to search for her missing brother who has disappeared after going to an old house looking for his girlfriend Yuko.
Keiko and her friends find much more than they bargained for when they stay at Yuko's home and her mother tells them that Yuko is dead. During the night Keiko sees both Yuko and her boyfriend walking around like ghostly white images.
This sets up some excellent mystery and terror that only the Japanese can do. Yamamoto made three of these films and every one is an excellent example of horror. There are some images in here that once seen are not forgotten.
Toho didn't use many of there actors from Godzilla films and the likes to make these movies, but the acting is still very well done by a cast of people I am not familiar with except a couple. The "ghost girl" images in this film have long been a part of Japanese culture and Japanese horror films dating back to the 50's and maybe farther.
The most enjoyable thing about this and the films like it, is that is crosses cultural boundaries. Here there are no crosses and holy water to fend off the evil as in most western vampire and ghost films. The sets are magnificent and the cast really makes you believe what you're seeing.
My hat is off to the lovely Yukiko Kobayashi in her role as the dead Yuko. She does give one some chills. If you haven't ever seen this movie I recommend you get the "Bloodthirsty Trilogy" set and see an entire different world of Toho. Yes the giant monster movies are great, but these are just as good in a world all their own. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED release and a good contender for release of the year.
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