The Lady of Musashino

The Lady of Musashino is a 1951 film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. Film Sufi describes the plot. The Lady of the title is married to a philanderer who does not love her, while she has feelings for a younger cousin but thinks it dishonorable to act on them. The story takes place in Japan immediately after the end of World War II.

You can watch it online via youtube:


DVD Bearer has a lot of screen shots and says,

An atmospheric evocation of post war Japan exploring the climate of social and economic change, The Lady Of Musashino tells the story of Michiko (Kinuyo Tanaka), a disillusioned young wife, trapped in a loveless marriage to her translator husband (Masayuki Mori).

Time Out calls it "fascinating".