15 Best Anthology Horror Film Segments
6. The Woman Of The Snow (Kwaidan, 1964)
In this interpretation of a classic folk tale, two woodcutters are attacked by a spectral woman during a snowstorm. She spares the younger of the two, warning him that if he ever speaks of the encounter to another soul, she will return and kill him, too. In the years following this sinister encounter, the young man's life unfolds very fortunately; he finds love, settles down and starts a family. In spite of his good fortune, the life-changing event that he witnessed in his youth continues to eat away at him, threatening the life he has built.
Kwaidan is one of the most beautiful horror films you are ever likely to see, though its supernatural tales can be considered 'horror' in theme alone. The Woman in the Snow is a story that is less intent on frightening you than it is with overwhelming your senses and wowing you with its artistry. Kobayashi paints supernatural entities as melancholy rather than horrifying beings.
On another note, this story was also adapted into a segment in Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) entitled Lover's Vow, which replaced the ancient, Japanese snow demon with a gargoyle (an impressive one, I should add). While not as poetic or pleasing to the eye as The Woman in the Snow, it's also a solid recommendation.