Onibaba / The Hole (1964)

Well, it’s my pleasure to introduce the ever‑present and always‑insightful blogger Mr Brian Hannan, a man whose moviegoing began in the 1960s — making that decade his cinematic foundation, much as the films of the 70s and 80s are mine. So, without further ado…

Here’s the latest from The Magnificent 60s

Female empowerment doesn’t come any sharper. Two women slaughter exhausted samurai trying to escape a civil war in feudal Japan, dump the corpses in a deep hole, and sell their weapons and armor for food. Into their midst comes a deserter and the action slips into the sexual jealousy mode of The Fox (1967) and then takes another sudden shift into horror. And it manages all three incarnations of the tale with dexterity.

I knew all about this film long before Seven Samurai (1954) was on my horizon. As one who scanned newspaper advertisements and read contemporary movie magazines, I was well aware – though forbidden by dint of age to see it – of its controversial nature. I wasn’t exactly privy to what the controversy involved except that it was initially banned by the censor and that British posters hinted at the controversy…

…Read the Full Article @ The Magnificent 60s

The Magnificent 60s offers a sharp, curated look at one of cinema’s most transformative decades, mixing weekly reviews with production histories, box‑office insights, and behind‑the‑scenes stories. Its archive spans spy thrillers, westerns, biopics, musicals, and modern films that echo the era’s spirit.