Click here to copy URL

Harakiri

8.5

14,913

Ratings

Add to lists

where to watch

Pro reviews

Links

1 Related Movies

Remake:

Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai

Original title

Seppuku (Harakiri)aka

AKA

Hara-kiri

Year

1962

Running time

133 min.

Country

Japan

Director

Masaki Kobayashi

Screenwriter

Shinobu Hashimoto. Story: Yasuhiko Takiguchi

Cast

Music

Tôru Takemitsu

Cinematography

Yoshio Miyajima (B&W)

Producer

Shochiku, Shochiku

Genre

Drama | 17th Century. Feudal Japan. Samurai. Cult movie

Synopsis

A ronin, a masterless samurai, requests permission to commit an honorable ritual suicide at the home of a powerful but sadistic warlord. The warlord is reluctant to permit this as he has been recently deceived by another ronin, who was trying to obtain charity from the house. This ronin, however, is permitted to tell the story of how he came to be in such a situation.

NEW

About similar movies and series:

Similarity over 75%

Similarity between 60% and 75%

Similarity between 40% and 60%

Similarity below 40%

Similar Movies to Harakiri

Rankings Position

#1 Best Movies of the '60s
#1 Best Japanese Movies of all time
#8 Best Drama Movies
#13 Best Movies in the history of film

Awards: 1963: Cannes: Jury Special Prize (ex-aqueo with "Az prijde kocour")

Show all

Critics' reviews

"This stunning film is a sombre tragedy (...) giving off deep rage against militarism, political systems and beliefs that do not allow for a rational human outlook or future change"

Variety
"Mr. Kobayashi does superb things with architectural compositions, moving forms (...) He achieves a sort of visual mesmerization that is suitable to the curious nightmare mood"

Bosley Crowther: The New York Times
"One of the best [samurai films] (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: rogerebert.com
"The film has a steady, hypnotic momentum; the director, Masaki Kobayashi, wrings as much drama out of facial twitches as he does out of sword fights."

Michael Sragow: The New Yorker
"A devastating, emotionally intense critique of the feudal system's hypocrisy and the warrior's code"

Colin Covert: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Movie Soulmates' ratings: Register so you can access movie recommendations tailored to your movie taste.
Friends' ratings: Register so you can check out ratings by your friends, family members, and like-minded members of the FA community.

Ranking Lists Position

4 My Favorite Japanese Movies (160)
18 My Favorite Asian Movies (174)

Is the synopsis/plot summary missing? Do you want to report a spoiler, error or omission? Please send us a message.
If you are not a registered user please send us an email to [email protected]

All copyrighted material (movie posters, DVD covers, stills, trailers) and trademarks belong to their respective producers and/or distributors.

For US ratings information please visit: www.mpaa.org www.filmratings.com www.parentalguide.org

Harakiri

User history