Review of Harakiri (1962) by Max M — 20 Aug 2007

Quite simply one of the greatest films, in any language, dealing with any challenging subject matter I have ever seen. The cinematography is stunningly crisp, especially in such scenes as the swordfight in the grass.

Kobayashi is not just rebellious, he is one of cinema's most subtle critics of the crushing and heavy-handed injustice that all authority inevitably brings about, even in the most "just" of societies.

But not only does authority destroy and suppress, eliminating innocents, hiding their suffering, and concealing the few models of heroism we might know, it is empty and hollow, just a shell we worship blindly.

All departures from it face grave danger, and little chance of success. It's amazing anything just has ever happened. See this film. It gives a clear picture not only of the universal struggle surrounding social justice, it demonstrates a subtle historical understanding of the samurai as a class in transition, with the attendant suffering, economic and spiritual, that always accompanies profound social changes.