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Harakiri

8.5

14,066

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Remake:

Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai

Original title

Seppuku (Harakiri)

Year

1962

Running time

133 min.

Country

Japan

Director

Masaki Kobayashi

Screenwriter

Shinobu Hashimoto. Story: Yasuhiko Takiguchi

Cast

Music

Tôru Takemitsu

Cinematography

Yoshio Miyajima (B&W)

Producer

Shôchiku, Shôchiku

Genre

Drama | 17th Century. Feudal Japan. Samurai. Cult Movie

Synopsis

A ronin, a masterless samurai, requests permission to commit an honorable ritual suicide at the home of a powerful but sadistic warlord. The warlord is reluctant to permit this as he has been recently deceived by another ronin, who was trying to obtain charity from the house. This ronin, however, is permitted to tell the story of how he came to be in such a situation.

Rankings Position

#1 Best Japanese Movies of all time
#1 Best Movies of the '60s
#8 Best Drama Movies
#13 Best Movies in the history of film

Awards: 1963: Cannes: Jury Special Prize (ex-aqueo with "Az prijde kocour")

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Critics' reviews

"This stunning film is a sombre tragedy (...) giving off deep rage against militarism, political systems and beliefs that do not allow for a rational human outlook or future change"

Variety
"Mr. Kobayashi does superb things with architectural compositions, moving forms (...) He achieves a sort of visual mesmerization that is suitable to the curious nightmare mood"

Bosley Crowther: The New York Times
"One of the best [samurai films] (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: rogerebert.com
"The film has a steady, hypnotic momentum; the director, Masaki Kobayashi, wrings as much drama out of facial twitches as he does out of sword fights."

Michael Sragow: The New Yorker
"A devastating, emotionally intense critique of the feudal system's hypocrisy and the warrior's code"

Colin Covert: Minneapolis Star Tribune

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Ranking Lists Position

4 My Favorite Japanese Movies (153)
19 My Favorite Asian Movies (170)

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Harakiri

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