Review of Harakiri (1962) by Lesley N — 02 Jun 2011
I'm rubbish at long, old, black and white slow-moving Japanese dramas..zzzzz. But this one's a gem.
Unemployed samurai have started turning up at feudal lords homes, requesting to commit hara-kiri. In respect of their honour, they get offered a job instead... but this just encourages more samurai to turn up with the same request. What to do?
One house decides to take the next samurai up on his offer and let him kill himself in the hope of discouraging others. However the samurai who comes after, has a hidden agenda ...
The film reminded me of Twelve Angry Men. The whole drama is played out in the rooms and courtyard of the feudal lord (with a few flashbacks) and most of the time is spent in cat-and-mouse dialog as the lord and the samurai try to get the upper hand, one wanting an end to these perky samurai, the other having a story to tell and wanting it heard.
Fascinating.
This review of Harakiri (1962) was written by Lesley N on 02 Jun 2011.
Harakiri has generally received very positive reviews.
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