Otoshiana (Pitfall)

(1962) ***1/2

A miner is commissioned to work in a small town, but when he and his young son arrive they discover a near vacant ghost town. The only resident they encounter is a woman who owns a small shop. She informs them she is waiting for a correspondence from a friend before leaving herself. When the miner meets the man who hired him it becomes quickly apparent that he has been set up, the man murders him. He then pays off the woman to give a different description of the assailant. The miner returns as a ghost who is doomed to wander the town trying to resolve his murder.



This is yet another of those old Japanese films filled with symbolism. It's not quite the caliber of “Rashomon” or “Onibaba” but gets the point across quite nicely. It does not have the visual flair of the other two films I mentioned either. The story seems to evolve in layers, as each layer is revealed it's another, “Ooooohhh, now I see.” moment. Very profound and a good example of this style. If you enjoyed Rashomon you'll probably enjoy Pitfall as well.