Buddhist kitsch at its finest-a religious spectacle in which the story of Siddhartha and his ascetic journey of enlightenment is told via the numerous melodramas and intrigues that followed his decision to leave the palace of his birth. Japan's first 70mm film, it combines truly startling Technicolor and charming special effects. When it was released in the U.S., the New York Times called it "massively vulgar" and noted that it "looks like a corner of Disneyland" but we quite enjoyed its flavor, which, being set in Northern India, reminded us of a Bombay Talkie more than a sword-and-sandal spectacle. More importantly, and perhaps unbeknownst to the Times, Shaka uses its special effects in the service of Buddhist iconography. We do not see the Buddha's face-the face of enlightenment-but rather sense it, as he effects miracles in the lives of others. The classic ascension scene notes in cinematic terms that death is not a tragedy but a release. Wide-screen Nirvana.