Original subtitles

FROM THE RING 0 PRODUCTION GROUP

AN ASMIK- ACE PRODUCTION

So what's in this video?

Come on, Yukiko!

You saw it, didn't you? You can tell me.

What? No way! I'm not watching it.

A well?

Last night, I had this weird dream.

There was a well in it.

A really old one.

The edge had crumbled away.

Inside it was pitch-black. I couldn't see anything.

The house looked empty.

I went inside.

The place was a ruin.

There was a flight of stairs so I went up.

But something told me I absolutely shouldn't go up.

I just stood there. I couldn't move.

30 YEARS BEFORE

Mrs Sudo...

There's a reporter here to see you. In there.

Thank you.

I'm Miyaji, from Chuo Nippo.

You taught a Sadako Yamamura 11 years ago...

I'm afraid there's no picture of her. Would you like to look?

She came to the school after the year had started.

Then her mother died and her father came for her.

They left the island.

- Dr Heihachiro Ikuma? - Yes.

Sadako was just here till the middle of the second term.

What was Sadako like?

A very intelligent girl.

Very pretty.

I went to see her relatives, the Yamamura family.

They refused to talk to me.

There was all that trouble over her mother, Shizuko...

Her suicide and all...

Did Sadako have the powers that her mother had?

That I wouldn't know.

Only...

...Sadako was terribly afraid of the sea.

The sea?

All those children in the picture drowned. Fourteen of them.

It was swimming class, and they all went to the beach.

Sadako was simply terrified.

"If you go in the sea, you'll all die!" she said.

No luck! No one knows where Dr Ikuma went.

Miyaji!

Sadako was the only one who didn't go swimming in the sea.

She just sat all hunched up on the beach, staring at the sea.

Then, all of a sudden, from out in the bay,

the kids all stated screaming...

RING 0 - BIRTHDAY

"If I could be reborn,

"even though it may violate the will of God himself,

"I would want to be at your side..."

To be with you.

If it were all a dream,

when I awoke, if only you were there.

But the light of morning shows me as I really am...

Right! Enough.

Take a break.

We'll break for lunch. Everyone back in an hour.

Aiko's not herself lately.

Really? Maybe if Mr Shigemori wasn't so irritable...

- Where should we have lunch? - I don't care.

You're no fun.

What is it?

What are you staring at?

Creep!

You know, Aiko and Shigemori got along fine before that girl came.

What do you mean?

Nothing... just a feeling I get.

But Sadako works really hard.

And she's so pretty.

But she is a little strange.

So, are you getting used to life in Tokyo?

Yes.

Last time, I gave you a fairly strong tranquiliser.

Are you still seeing strange things?

No.

I'm sure it's just nerves.

It's a psychogenic disorder.

I feel more relaxed since I joined the drama troupe.

You do? Certainly performing has therapeutic value.

Do you like the troupe?

Yes.

Amazing... So drama proves to be the best medicine.

Sadako...

Don't be too enthusiastic. People won't like it.

OK.

Come in!

- Your dresses are done. - Hang them there.

Aiko, you've been looking a little pale. Are you all right?

- Since that girl arrived... - Who?

Oh, Sadako...

I keep seeing something behind her.

Here we go again!

And a well, too.

A well?

I keep having these bad dreams.

I go into a house by the well,

and there's stairs leading up...

...but I'm too terrified to go up them.

What?

I've had the same dream.

She was found in the river this morning.

She fits the description of the missing girl.

- A scar on her face? - Doctor!

Is it her?

- Anna... - Don't look!

She would hate to think you'd seen that ugly scar.

I don't care how she looks.

If only I'd gone to see her in the hospital!

Don't blame yourself.

There's no mistake. That is my daughter.

I'm sorry.

It may all be for the best.

She might just as well have been dead before this unfortunate accident.

Doctor!

Have you seen my daughter? She left your hospital four days ago!

Once a patient sets foot outside my hospital,

...she is no longer my patient.

I have no idea where your daughter may be

But that corpse in the river!

- Was it her? - Unfortunately...

- ...it is my daughter who's dead. - What?

I'm the one in need of sympathy.

I must prepare for her funeral. If you'd excuse me...

...I would like to spend today alone with my daughter.

Right! OK!

On to Scene 2. We'll take a short break.

Aiko?

Aiko?

I understand you studied under Dr Heihachiro Ikuma.

That's correct.

But his ESP research was too much even for me.

In the end, he recanted his own theories.

- And you agree with that? - Of course.

Do you remember...

...the experiment that got him driven out of the profession?

Yes.

And that a man died?

There was no connection.

This is a tape of that day.

Correct!

Correct!

Fraud!

It's no thing but a vulgar magic show!

- Don't be fools! - Dr Ikuma! You're being deceived!

What's wrong?

She's a freak!

That noise appeared only on this tape.

Can you explain that?

No...

More than that one man has died.

In the last twelve years...

...everyone who was there has died.

Not one of the reporters at that demonstration is alive today.

Do you have any idea where Dr Ikuma might be?

No.

- Or his daughter Sadako? - I don't know.

So we don't even know yet when the funeral will be.

Do we open or not?

- Wait! Wait a minute! - Listen!

Losing Aiko is a heavy blow.

But we must carry on with the play. That's what she would've wanted.

Now, I want you all to listen carefully.

I've decided our apprentice, Sadako Yamamura, will take the part.

That's all.

Mr Shigemori!

Why her?

Just ignore them.

Right, positions!

Hello?

Hello?

Who is this?

Why do you never speak?

- Andrei... - Anna? Is that you?

Anna!

Do you know what will happen?

Was that Andrei?

You died in that accident.

And soon you will be reborn!

Reborn?

Yes!

If...

If I could be reborn...

...even though it may violate the will of God himself...

...I would want to be at your side...

...to be with you.

If it were all a dream...

...when I awoke...

...if only you were there.

But...

...the light of morning shows me as I really am.

Still I want to say it...

I love you.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Sadako!

It's going to be great.

Thanks.

Mr Toyama...

Don't look!

No...

It wasn't me!

Sadako!

- What did you see? - Toyama...

We don't have much time. Are you all ready?

No.

So you're going to be working all night.

About your cue here...

Take two beats after the light comes on.

Raise the tempo, but don't lose the tension.

Here you go.

- Just listen to this. - What is it?

- Hear that? - What is it?

This tape was on when Aiko died.

That noise wasn't there before.

So it got put in afterwards?

Was that someone saying, "You will die"?

Rain, huh?

Your mother?

Is she dead?

Please go.

I'll make you a star.

I can do that, you know.

- It's late. Why not stay the night? - Yes, that's best.

I can't. Tonight I have to meet with a friend...

- You still here, Etsuko? - Waiting for Toyama, right?

I've got to alter Sadako's dress.

Let her do that. She's just an apprentice!

That's not an actor's job.

Whatever. But Sadako and Toyama have been acting funny.

I'd watch out.

- See you. - Goodnight.

- Have you seen Sadako around? - No.

Something's strange...

Sadako?

You took the dress? What did you do that for?

Me?

- Don't play dumb! - Hey, easy.

It's like Kaoru said. Since she arrived...

Stop it!

I'm sorry.

Sometimes I do things and I don't remember them.

Last night, Mr Shigemori came to my apartment...

...and I don't remember.

Sadako, won't you tell me what it is that scares you?

There's someone here with me.

Even now?

It's not someone I don't know.

It's like a long, long time ago...

But I only remember fragments...

...from when I was a child.

And there's something there that terrifies me.

Mother?

Mother?

Who is my father?

You were dreaming.

You fainted. Don't you remember?

There's only coffee.

Sadako...

There's no one here, is there?

What is it?

Sadako!

SADAKO YAMAMURA RESUME

Dr Kuno, please.

Dr Kuno, someone to see you.

I'm Etsuko Tachihara. I'm in Sadako Yamamura's troupe.

She gave your name as a reference.

Sorry, but I'm very busy.

Doctor! Someone in our troupe has died. Right out of the blue.

Strange things have been happening since Sadako arrived.

Is there something unusual about Sadako?

I'm afraid I'm not in a position to say.

THE MASK BY ISAMU SHIGEMORI, STARRING SADAKO YAMAMURA

Toyama...

Please keep away from Sadako.

I met this doctor today who knows her.

- She's hiding something! - Not from me.

Is that so?

Mr Shigemori's gone all weird. You've noticed, haven't you?

Everyone says it's because of Sadako.

And it's not just him!

Everyone says that Aiko's death was her fault, too!

She's not normal!

Positions, everyone.

Get out, will you?

- That's Mr Shigemori, over there. - Thank you.

I'm from Chuo Nippo. My name is Miyaji.

I realise you open tomorrow. Thank you for taking time for us.

Not at all.

I understand you've chosen a new actress...

...for the lead role.

Yeah.

That's her.

"If I could be reborn,

"even though it may violate the will of God himself..."

- May I talk to her? - Certainly.

Sadako!

Miss Sadako Yamamura? May we have a word?

Miyaji...

That's her.

Find out her name and where we can reach her.

Miyaji! There's someone here from Oshima Island. Over there.

What brings you all this way?

There was something I just couldn't bring myself to say when we last met.

I've never told this to anyone.

It's about the Yamamura family.

I called round once, after Sadako was put into our school.

By then, her mother Shizuko had gone very strange...

Suddenly, I noticed that there was no one else around.

I heard a crawling sound coming from upstairs.

After that, I was always afraid of the child, too.

I'd think crazy things like...

"Which Sadako's at school today?"

Crazy things like that.

Well?

See for yourself.

The whole troupe is cursed.

And the photograph of me?

There are other people in the picture.

The reporters who died after Dr Ikuma's original demonstration.

Ikuma claimed intention could become a living thing.

That human thought could change to energy.

But is that all it is?

Maybe it's another force that summons Sadako.

A second one...

Anyway, this is one article you won't be able to write.

This was never for an article.

Thanks for everything.

Don't you like having your picture taken?

I've finally remembered who your mother was.

I remember the story.

She killed a man during some kind of experiment.

She didn't!

Aiko's death was no accident.

You'll do anything to be a star, won't you?

Just a minute...

Was it you who killed that reporter years ago?

Just the woman I've been looking for. You're perfect for an actress.

Sadako... do you intend to kill me?

You like Toyama that much?

If I die, I'll take you with me.

I'll tell everyone!

They won't let you live.

You're mine.

- Is that you? - No.

It's not me.

Stop!

- Mr Shigemori! - You bastard...

Toyama!

- You won't kill me! - Mr Shigemori!

Toyama, don't!

Please! Stay away from me!

You're hurt!

Hold on, Toyama!

Let me in there!

The wound's closed up.

A deep cut like that...?

Etsuko? This is Miyaji, the reporter from earlier today.

I need your help.

They'll find Mr Shigemori in the morning.

I'll confess.

No way!

- I won't let them torment you. - No!

It's the only way.

- Your hand's hot. - It has been for a while.

OK, time for TV.

Are you cold?

I'll get you a drink of water. You wait here.

Is that the end of it?

Go and get changed.

Sadako! Go to the dressing room. Quick!

Where's Shigemori? He's vanished.

- What do we do? - We can't cancel. We'll go on.

Toyama...

When this is over, let's go away somewhere.

Don't worry. You'll be great.

You're beautiful.

Entrance doors opening!

It's all right.

The girl touched him, and suddenly he stood up!

- Watch him. - Doctor!

- How much is it? - 800 yen.

Your change.

Doctor!

Is it her?

- Anna! - Don't look!

She would hate to think you'd seen that ugly scar.

I don't care how she looks!

If only I'd gone to see her in the hospital!

Don't blame yourself.

There's no mistake.

That's my daughter.

I'm sorry.

It may all be for the best.

She might as well have been dead before this unfortunate accident.

Doctor!

Could you come here a minute?

Mr Shigemori's dead!

Sadako... She did this.

Don't let her get away.

Toyama... Yuki wants you.

Seems there's a problem.

I know the cues. I'll take over.

OK.

Correct!

Correct!

Correct!

Correct!

Toyama! What are you doing? Hey, Toyama!

Correct!

- What's wrong? - I don't know.

Correct!

Etsuko, what did you do?

Don't you want to know about Sadako?

Who's that in the kimono?

Fraud!

It's nothing but a vulgar magic show!

Dr Ikuma! You're being deceived!

Mother?

What's wrong?

He's dead!

She's a freak!

That sound...

It's the same as when Aiko died!

Sadako... Stop.

You have to stop.

You have a wonderful gift.

Settle down. Stay calm.

Sadako, calm down.

Sadako!

A second one...

- Stop her! - Don't let that monster get away!

Don't let her escape!

- Toyama! - Sadako!

Stop it...

- Stop it. - Sadako!

We won't do anything.

- We won't hurt you. - Please... stop!

No. It's not me!

Sadako!

Stop! Stop!

Sadako!

Sadako!

I'd intended to kill her...

But it's not over.

You've all had the dream about the well, haven't you?

There's another Sadako.

If we don't kill her, we'll all die under the curse.

HEIHACHIRO IKUMA

Dr Ikuma raised Sadako,

and he's hiding her alter ego somewhere else.

But where?

Probably not far from where he is.

Kaoru, watch Etsuko and Toyama.

Are you here to kill Sadako?

There was only one Sadako at first.

But... at some point, she split into two.

One took after her mother.

The other one was probably like her real father.

It drove her mother mad.

All I could do was use drugs to stop the other one from growing.

Sadako!

Don't tell me you brought Sadako here!

Please! Let them go!

Sadako's getting away!

She got away!

We have to get out of here.

Let me go! Over there! That way!

No! Please! Stop!

Come on!

Are the people chasing us?

- You go, Toyama. - No. We go together!

Quickly... leave me!

What are you saying?

Over here! This way!

I...

...want you to...

...get away!

- Run! - Sadako! Not that way!

What are you going to do?

Stay back!

I can't...

...go on anymore.

Sadako, I love you.

Run! Kaoru!

Etsuko!

- Miss Miyaji... - What are you doing? Run!

Sadako! Stop this! Sadako!

Get up!

Calm down!

Sadako...

Come on... Let's go home.

This will calm you.

Father...

Who's my real father?

What a silly thing to ask.

I am, of course.

Of course.

Father!

Sadako...

Let's end this now.

I'll follow after you.

Father...

I can't breathe!

Help me!

Sadako!

Forgive me, Sadako!

Forgive me!

Father, no...

- Don't! - Sadako!

Forgive me, Sadako.

Forgive me.

Sadako...

You were dreaming.

Toyama...

Toyama?

Toyama!

DIRECTED BY NORIO TSURUTA

RING 0 - BIRTHDAY

ORIGINAL STORY BY KOJI SUZUKI

SCREENPLAY BY HIROSHI TAKAHASHI

YUKIE NAKAMA

SEIICHI TANABE

KUMIKO ASO

YOSHIKO TANAKA