The Petrified Forest Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: The Petrified Forest
| Movie | The Petrified Forest |
| Release Year | 1973 |
| Director | Masahiro Shinoda |
| Genre | Crime / Drama |
| Runtime | 118 minutes (1h 58m) |
| Language | JA |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Petrified Forest (1973) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Petrified Forest are led by Kenichi Hagiwara . The supporting cast, including Shima Iwashita and Takeshi Kusaka , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Petrified Forest does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Crime films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Petrified Forest has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Petrified Forest
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1973, The Petrified Forest is a Crime, Drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda, written by Nobuo Yamada. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kenichi Hagiwara.
Ending Explained: The Petrified Forest
The Petrified Forest Ending Explained: Directed by Masahiro Shinoda, The Petrified Forest wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core crime themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Kenichi Hagiwara. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the crime themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Petrified Forest reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
The Petrified Forest Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Petrified Forest Based on a True Story?
The Petrified Forest draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a crime, drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: The Petrified Forest uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Petrified Forest?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Kenichi Hagiwara or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Where to Watch The Petrified Forest Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Criterion ChannelThe Petrified Forest Parents Guide & Age Rating
1973 AdvisoryWondering about The Petrified Forest age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Petrified Forest (1973) is 118 minutes (1h 58m). Directed by Masahiro Shinoda, the film runs for 118 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Petrified Forest is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1973 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Petrified Forest worth watching?
The Petrified Forest is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Petrified Forest parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Petrified Forest identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Petrified Forest (1973)?
The runtime of The Petrified Forest (1973) is 118 minutes (approximately 1h 58m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
