Beware of the reeds.

Here's an old creeper from Japan.

Oh, sorry. You can't read that? Let's try another poster.

That's better. It's ONIBABA from 1964.

Here's the film.

This is a unique atmospheric piece of movie-making here. It centers around two women that live in the hut in the middle of a field of tall grasses. During the civil war of the 14th century, they make their living by killing samurais who travel through the grass. They take their armor, dispose of their bodies in a large pit, and sell the armor.

When Hachi, the friend of the older woman's son returns from the war, he tells her that her son was killed. Hachi begins secretly romancing the younger woman much to the chagrin of the older woman. When the older woman finds out, she tries to seduce Hachi, which he rejects. She pleads fro him not to take the woman away since she needs her.

One night, they kill a warrior wearing a demon mask and with difficulty, remove the mask. The old woman devises to scare the young woman away from Hachi with the mask. This doesn't work because Hachi finds her again and resume their romance.

I should probably stop spoiling the film at this point. Lets just say that the demon mask almost becomes a character itself and it is reminiscent of the Twilight Zone episode, "The Masks". It mirrors the old woman's personality and the film has a satisfying conclusion.

This film is available on DVD as part of the Criterion collection as well.