I’m sure many of you have seen this film. If you havent however, and are a fan of Samurai movies, or Bushido, this is a GREAT film.
I’m suprised I never knew about this film in the first place. Got to love the random netflix selections.
I also find the moral behind the film to such a frighteningly close correlation to modern world polotics. its almost funny.
I concur
Harakiri is a true chanbara classic, a powerful tale of bushido.
Gene, have you read the book: Sun and Steel ?
Its a quick read, and IMO, well worth it.
Of course!
I read a fair amount of Mishima actually. I’m not sure he translates that well to English and I don’t speak any more Japanese than needed to get in and out of a dojo.
I even have a hardbound edition of Mishima’s Hagakure: The Samurai Ethic and Modern Japan, which is an illuminating read.
Did you ever see Shrader’s Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters? It’s worth a look. Philip Glass did a fantastic soundtrack with the Kronos Quartet, who I was also very into at the time. I still have that CD.
I have not seen that, but thanks a ton for the referral. I’ll definately be checking that one out.
I’ll also have to see if I can track down his version of Hagakure. Im sure he has some very interesting views.
I rewatched this in honor of Nakadai’s passing.
I remember the first time I saw this. I was very young at my grandparents house in Hawaii glued to the Japanese channel on TV (they had an early remote which fascinated me). I can still remember sitting on the floor, watching Nakadai seize the red armor with the lush tropical forest outside the window behind the TV, how it felt, the atmosphere. Musta been about 55 years ago.
I have very fond memories of this film. It was my first true chanbara. It’s timeless. A classic.
Now the B&W lighting still shines. The sweaty close ups, the textures of skin and glistening perspiration is immaculate. The use of lighting when the body is delivered and the samurai leave the hovel, so poignant and effective. The fight choreo isnt as good or extensive as I remember. It’s a lot of build up to the final fights. The duel in the field is stunning with the wind in the grass, but Nakadai’s stance is weird. And the final fight is much shorter and less complex - he only kills four in the end.
Still a tremendous film, a must see in the genre. Nakadai’s intensity is what makes it work.