Yabu No Naka No Kuroneko.
Had forgotten adding this to the rental list so was kinda surprised when it dropped thru the letterbox. It's a 1968 Japanese horror film which got some Hammer-type flesh based hype on it's release.
Won't go into the story other than to say it's a pseudo vampire/werecat/rape revenge/restless spirits after you movie. A pigeon hole of one then. In fact it's not really that non-mainstream, you could really imagine it turning up on Tales of the Unexpected or Hammer House of Horror.
It's an OK watch, does drag a little despite being only 1½ hours long, and would maybe be better on a TV show such as the above. There were some Edward D. Wood Jr.-type moments when samurai were walking through the bamboo grove with the "beautiful geisha", the thought that it should be night-time, is hilariously difficult to maintain as you can plainly see its a sunny day, the lighting flicks back and forth between gloom and glare. At least it gives the pupils a work out. Also some of the acting is over-the-top.
All that said, it is an engaging story and the doomed love aspect is nicely put forward. The traditional dance the mother performs while her daughter slays and lays is an effective juxtaposition too.
OK so hard to sum up. Not a film to avoid, but maybe not really worth seeking out at the end of the day. It's alright.
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