Review of Harakiri (1962) by Jim P — 12 Jan 2009

One of the most famous Japanese films ever made, Hara-kiri (Seppuku is the more accurate title) is Masaki Kobayashi's crowning achievement: a searing indictment of "Big Government" existing only for itself. As timely today as it was 46 yrs ago, Seppuku tells the tale of Hanshiro Tsugumo, played by Tatsuya Nakadai in his most famous role, a Ronin struggling to survive in a country ravaged by unemployment. Thousands of Ronin roam the streets unable to find work because their various clans have been disbanded and government has been centralized. The account of one of these desperate Ronin seeking to commit seppuku in one of the royal coutyards spreads like wildfire through the land: the clan of the courtyard is so impressed with his dedication that they hire him as a retainer. Thus Ronin from all over are knocking on doors threatening seppuku unless given employment or money.

Kobayashi's masterpiece tells the tale of the retainers of the House of Lord Iyi, how they harshly deal with the numerous Ronin, and of Tsugumo, who comes to force the retainers of the House to face the consequences of their cruelty.

Nakadai is at his finest moment, playing a world-weary former warrior two decades his senior. Trained as a stage actor, Nakadai puts in an incredibly subtle and carefully nuanced performance that made this film legendary.

Kobayashi, Japan's leading "protest" director and famous for his monumental "Human Condition" series, also starring Nakadai, directs this, his magnum opus, with a sure steady hand...deliberately paced and ending with a tremendous emotional punch.

One of the great ones and not to be missed.