Harakiri poster

Harakiri

切腹
1962JapanLanguage: jaDirected by Masaki Kobayashi8.4
Available in English: subtitled

Down-on-his-luck veteran Tsugumo Hanshirō enters the courtyard of the prosperous House of Iyi. Unemployed, and with no family, he hopes to find a place to commit seppuku—and a worthy second to deliver the coup de grâce in his suicide ritual. The senior counselor for the Iyi clan questions the ronin’s resolve and integrity, suspecting Hanshirō of seeking charity rather than an honorable end. What follows is a pair of interlocking stories which lay bare the difference between honor and respect, and promises to examine the legendary foundations of the Samurai code.

Themes and style

Tone
bleakhauntingmelancholiccold and detachedquietly devastating
Pacing
slow burnmethodicalslow build to explosion
Story
unravelingsurvivalrebellion
Emotion
griefinjusticeshamesacrificeguiltrage
Themes
corrupt institutionsclass and moneyfamily dutyfamily wounds passed down
Feel
cerebralgut punchdiscussion starterquietly hauntingcathartic
Violence
moderate

Where to watch

Criterion Channel(subscription)Amazon Video(rent)Apple TV Store(rent)

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