1962 black and white film directed by Masaki Kobayashi and starring Tatsuya Nakadai. The Japanese name of the film is Seppuku which is a more formal term for the act of a person, usually a samurai, disemboweling himself. Harakiri was used for the American release of the film since this term is more familiar to Westerners.
Following the collapse of his clan, unemployed samurai Hanshiro Tsugumo (Tatsuya Nakadai) arrives at the manor of Lord Ii requesting to commit seppuku (suicide) on his property. Ii's clansmen, believing the desperate ronin is merely angling for charity, try to force him to eviscerate himself--but they have underestimated his honor and his past. This film is a winner of the 1963 Cannes Film Festival's Special Jury Prize, Masaki Kobayashi's Harakiri is a scathing denouncement of feudal authority and hypocrisy.
AMAZING, STUNNING, SHOCKING, INCREDIBLE. This film is one of the best samurai movies I have ever seen. The story, the acting, everything, was incredible. This film is way beyond any typical samurai movie. This is not a sword fighting chanbara flick, not even close. And yet this film had two of the most impressive sword fighting scenes I have seen in any movie. The first was an impressive duel and the last was an epic battle where Tsugumo faces off against several dozen samurai of the Ii clan. This film takes you in unexpected ways and really surprises you but I don't want to give too much away for if there is anyone out there who is interested in samurai movies but has not seen this one, SEE THIS MOVIE. Be warned however. There is a seppuku scene at the beginning of the movie. I have seen a lot of blood and gore in many movies but this required me to cover my eyes. Not because there were guts everywhere, but because of the sickening realism of what was happening. It still makes me cringe.
harakiri must be one of the first japanese words i knew. but i don't remember how. maybe it was from my grandparents when they would talk about their experiences during the japanese occupation of the philippines.
ReplyDeleteKAMI SEKELUARGA MENGUCAPKAN BANYAK TERIMA KASIH ATAS BANTUANNYA MBAH , NOMOR YANG MBAH BERIKAN/ 4D SGP& HK SAYA DAPAT (350) JUTA ALHAMDULILLAH TEMBUS, SELURUH HUTANG2 SAYA SUDAH SAYA LUNAS DAN KAMI BISAH USAHA LAGI. JIKA ANDA INGIN SEPERTI SAYA HUB MBAH_PURO _085_342_734_904_ terima kasih.الالله صلى الله عليه وسلموعليكوتهله صلى الل
DeleteKAMI SEKELUARGA MENGUCAPKAN BANYAK TERIMA KASIH ATAS BANTUANNYA MBAH , NOMOR YANG MBAH BERIKAN/ 4D SGP& HK SAYA DAPAT (350) JUTA ALHAMDULILLAH TEMBUS, SELURUH HUTANG2 SAYA SUDAH SAYA LUNAS DAN KAMI BISAH USAHA LAGI. JIKA ANDA INGIN SEPERTI SAYA HUB MBAH_PURO _085_342_734_904_ terima kasih.الالله صلى الله عليه وسلموعليكوتهله صلى الل
KAMI SEKELUARGA MENGUCAPKAN BANYAK TERIMA KASIH ATAS BANTUANNYA MBAH , NOMOR YANG MBAH BERIKAN/ 4D SGP& HK SAYA DAPAT (350) JUTA ALHAMDULILLAH TEMBUS, SELURUH HUTANG2 SAYA SUDAH SAYA LUNAS DAN KAMI BISAH USAHA LAGI. JIKA ANDA INGIN SEPERTI SAYA HUB MBAH_PURO _085_342_734_904_ terima kasih.الالله صلى الله عليه وسلموعليكوتهله صلى الل
That could be true. It is the more well-known name in America as well. This movie really reveals this shocking and traditional historical Japanese act.
ReplyDeleteThis movie rocks! I saw the movie on the IFC a few years ago. I am a Sengoku guy, but this was awesome. A great film all the way. In some ways it reminds me of Ronin-gai. The ending does.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ronin-Gai was a good movie also.
ReplyDeletesomething I think is kinda cool.
ReplyDeleteSeppuku and Harakiri are the same kanji in a different order.
切腹 (cut stomach)
腹切 (Stomach cut)
I don;t remember seeing this movie... Which is a good enough reason to watch it again... Or for the first time! I'll have to move it to the top of the list with this review!
Absolutely move this to the top of your list. I knew the kanji was similar so I am not certain why seppuku is the more formal and correct term.
ReplyDelete