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A Tale of Two Sisters (One-Disc)
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List Price: $14.95
Our Price: $13.49
Your Save: $ 1.46 ( 10% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Tartan Video
Starring: Kap-su Kim, Jung-ah Yum, Su-jeong Lim, Geun-yeong Mun, Seung-bi Lee
Directed By: Ji-woon Kim
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0842498039021
Format: AC-3
Label: Tartan Video
Manufacturer: Tartan Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Tartan Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2005-03-29
Running Time: 115
Studio: Tartan Video
Theatrical Release Date: 2003
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Editorial Reviews:
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Two young sisters recovering from an unnamed trauma must face a mysterious past in this excellent South Korean shocker. A worldwide hit upon its release and based on an old Korean fairy tale; two sisters (wonderfully played by Su-jeong Lim and Geun-yeong Mun) come to live with their cold and distant father and turn-on-a-dime stepmother in a house where nothing is as it seems. A wonderfully haunting score, starkly beautiful imagery, and a labyrinthine plot that twists and turns at every dark corner all set the stage for a riveting and often terrifying guessing game of a movie. Equal parts drama, mystery, and ghost story, A Tale of Two Sisters is a richly complex and challenging cinematic treat that may very well demand repeat viewings. --Matt Wold
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Wow... my first Korean horror
Comment: I absolutely loved this movie! Going in, I had little idea of what to expect. Everytime I began thinking I was discovering what was going to happen, they land one on you, and you're left to rethink everything. The movie may be a little slow at first, but trust me, it picks up and keeps going to the very end. You'll be surprised. This is one of those movies you'll want to watch twice to fully appreciate all the thought that went into the movie.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Semi- Spoilers
Comment: Just finished watching the movie and I enjoyed it. I laughed at that dinner party from hell.. At first I thought that guest was faking being ill to get out of it. Towards the end I was at first relieved to find out the step mom wasnt that evil.. But then watching the whole end, yup she is, anyone that would let something happen like that is cruel in my book. It is a great story, I first predicted something right-- but the other twists sent me for a loop. No its not fast paced at all, but after the first appearance of the ghost I was hooked.
After reading many bad reviews, it seems many dont understand who is who and what is what.. ok for people that cant figure it out here you go..
***Big Spoiler Alert***
Su-mi went nuts after deaths in the family. So now shes suffers from schizophrenia. But the ghosts are still real, the father- very real-- the step mom, in a sense.. so hope that helps without giving every detail away.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Tale of two sisters review
Comment: Great movie. The ending has an interesting and believable twist which offers something different than what you would get with an American film. Also, it shows some interesting insight as to how mental illness is dealt with and viewed in other cultures. Wonderful Psychological thriller.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A thriller that provides plenty of chills and food for thought
Comment: A Tale of Two Sisters is very confusing upon the first viewing, especially if you know nothing about it. Once the twists are revealed it starts making more sense, but I have to admit that a certain poster (see below) on IMDB.com really made me appreciate this work of art. Even though this is not really a horror film, there were a few freaky scenes that forced me to turn the volume down a bit. If I watched this by myself in a dark room with the speakers turned up loud, I probably wouldn't be here right now writing this review. They are that intense. The acting, direction and cinematography are all spot on.
The link below helped answer many of the questions I had. I hope it helps you too.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365376/board/nest/69288079
Customer Rating:
Summary: 4 ½+ Stars: Beautiful, Alluringly Creepy and Mind-Bending! Fairy Tales Have Never Been this Grimm...
Comment: Based on a Korean folktale, writer/director Kim Jee-Won (The same guy who gave us the fantastic "A Bittersweet Life" ) has crafted an intelligent, absorbing piece of psychological terror that may stay with you for a long time. "A TALE OF TWO SISTERS" is the type of film that may sometimes confuse the viewer, but that confusion is part of its compelling and immersive nature. Pseudo-intellectuals will no doubt have a ball trying to de-code just what this film is all about. The film is part ghost story and part psychological thriller and does not rely on gross-out sequences or cheap scares. Yes, you guessed it, this fabulous film has been marked by Hollywood for remake hell, the news of this just made me cringe.
Two very close sisters, Su-mi (Im Su-Jung) and Su-yeon (Moon Geun-Young) return home to their father's dark and foreboding house after a stay in the hospital. Su-mi, the elder of the two, have always been protective of Su-yeon. Their stepmother, Eun-joo (played by beauteous Yeom Jung-Ah) have ruled the household with an iron fist; and meek Su-yeon is incapable of defending herself against the abuse by the stepmother. Their father is taciturn and burdened while Eun-joo greets the two with forced enthusiasm. The two sisters are now back after a long absence in the household, living under the same roof with their stepmother is a nightmare for them. To make matters worse, strange things begin to occur. A strange terrifying presence is being felt in the house. Is this the stepmother trying to scare them or something more sinister?
"A Tale of Two Sisters" is anything but a conventional supernatural horror film. The film draws its strengths from the way it is structured, the film is methodical, cryptic, sometimes confusing and is perfect for multiple viewings. The number of subtle details and clues almost seem endless, the story will catch you by surprise and cause you to drop your guard. One would do well in watching it more than once just so you can see its depths of its script. The first time I saw this film, I was a little annoyed but after awhile, it dawned on me that this film may actually be one of the most compelling psychological horror thrillers I've seen in a long time.
The film is actually divided into two acts. The first act deals with the sisters return, while the second half is actually more fragmented than one would think. The first act gives the clues and subtle details. The questions you have to ask yourself are: 1) What is happening to this family? 2) How did it come to this? 3) Why is their father acting so insensitive? The answers are there, and one needs to pay attention. The second half is where all the answers lie, most of the answers are told backwards and the viewer will have to put the sequences all together.
The film's foreshadowing holds back the answers in a very compelling manner. The twists and turns will force the viewer to work and the more you see, the more the viewer will get sucked in. Those easily frustrated and annoyed would be well off watching it with someone with a knack for putting together Lynchian-type thrillers. Patience is a must for this type of film. Make certain that the film has your undivided attention, the hints and clues are there. I promise you that the film is set up quite well, and the answers will be there---Well, at least most of the answers, anyway. The film is a clever blend of fantasy, memory and the supernatural. The film won't encourage you to become indifferent but will create an atmosphere full of puzzling structure that works well, so well that it is similar to a fable and a mind-bender; both aspects work in harmony and complements everything else.
Aside from its involving storyline, the film's cinematography and direction is the film's biggest strength. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, but maintains that dark and ominous feel. The lighting effects and the atmosphere exudes sheer creepiness, all the while looking quite alluring. The spectacular screenplay is also matched by the cast's powerful performances. Look closely, and you will see the intricacies of the two sisters and their relationship to their parents. Key elements in their roles are played well by Im Soo-Jung and Moon Geun-Young. Their change of emotions are one of the film's very effective trump cards. Beauteous Yeum Jung-Ah (Tell Me Something) is excellent, she plays the stepmother with frightening fervor and an unhinged vitality.
Before I begin to ruin the film's experience and start listing the things to look for, I think I should stop here. I have seen this film two times before, and the third time I saw it to prepare for this review, I even uncovered some much more deeper details to the film which I believed I may have missed the first two times. This is the beauty of this film, the film's impact is so compelling that it remains in my mind. The film's ambition is so far reaching that its wonderful experience will be derived from the effort in trying to find all the subtle clues and details.
Don't expect a bloody "gorefest" or a conventional horror film that relies on scares when you watch this film. The film's beauty borders more on the cerebral side and its psychological aspects will more than likely make the most experienced movie watcher (like me) work. The subtle involvement of ghosts, the traditional imagery that almost gives it an old-fashioned feel is terrific. I hate to take back something I've stated before in my review of "Spider Forest" but I have to say it; "A Tale of Two Sisters" may well match or even exceed "Spider Forest" in terms of compelling material and screenplay (after this third viewing).Those who love mind-benders and psychological horror will be delighted, for this film is one of the very best horror films from South Korea.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [4 ½+ Stars]
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