Seppuku
Directed by:
Masaki KobayashiScreenplay:
Shinobu HashimotoCinematography:
Yoshio MiyajimaComposer:
Tôru TakemitsuPlots(1)
Of all Masaki Kobayashi’s attacks on the cruelty and inhumanity perpetrated by authoritarian power (including The Human Condition and Samurai Rebellion), perhaps none are more brilliant than his visceral, mesmerising Harakiri (aka Seppuku). In a magnificent performance, Tatsuya Nakadai stars as Hanshiro Tsugumo, a masterless down-and-out samurai who enters the manor of Lord Iyi, requesting to commit ritual suicide on his property. Suspected of simply fishing for charity, Hanshiro is told the gruesome tale of the last samurai who made the same request - but Hanshiro will not be moved... With its intricate structure and pressure-cooker atmosphere, Kobayashi’s first jidai-geki period drama is a full-scale demolition job of samurai ideals and feudal hypocrisy, filmed with artistry and surgical precision, and scored by celebrated composer Toru Takemitsu. (Eureka Entertainment)
(more)Videos (1)
Reviews (1)
Harakiri is a well-structured dramatic story about honor, revenge, and moral values, which accurately informs the viewer so that the storyline works itself out and concludes perfectly. From the beginning, it is obvious that the main character is not going to enter the lion's den without a well-thought-out plan, and as it turns out later on, everything goes according to plan, but there are still some surprises in store for the audience. A very impressive movie with several iconic samurai fights.
()
Gallery (54)
Photo © The Criterion Collection
