{"id":94508,"date":"2024-01-05T18:16:52","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T01:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94508"},"modified":"2024-01-06T11:25:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T18:25:16","slug":"harakiri-1962","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94508","title":{"rendered":"Harakiri (1962)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Even the famous samurai is a mere human being. He cannot live on air alone.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Harakiri-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Harakiri-Poster-223x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-94510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Harakiri-Poster-223x300.png 223w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Harakiri-Poster-95x128.png 95w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Harakiri-Poster-201x270.png 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Harakiri-Poster.png 695w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a down-on-his-luck former samurai (Tatsuya Nakadai) arrives at the estate of a clan run by <em>daimy\u014d<\/em> Sait\u014d Kageyu (Rentar\u00f4 Mikuni), and requests safe harbor to commit <em>seppuku<\/em>, he is told the story of a younger <em>r\u014dnin<\/em> (Akira Ishihama) who made the same request several months earlier &#8212; and deeper connections between the two men are soon revealed.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Flashback Films<\/li>\n<li>Historical Dramas<\/li>\n<li>Japanese Films<\/li>\n<li>Samurai<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nAs I&#8217;m finishing up all films from 1962 listed in Peary&#8217;s book, I stumbled upon this unexpectedly gripping <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jidaigeki\"><em>jidaigeki<\/em><\/a> (i.e., period) tale by director Masaki Kobayashi, who I hadn&#8217;t heard of (this is his only <em>GFTFF<\/em>-listed title). Tatsuya Nakadai &#8212; easily recognizable to film fanatics from Kon Ichikawa&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1910\"><em>Odd Obsession<\/em> (1959)<\/a>, Mikio Naruse&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4391\"><em>When a Woman Ascends the Stairs<\/em> (1960)<\/a> (a <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=4388\">Missing Title<\/a>), and Ikira Kurosawa&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=93416\"><em>Yojimbo<\/em> (1961)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1198\"><em>Sanjuro<\/em> (1962)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94449\"><em>High and Low<\/em> (1963)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1070\"><em>Kagemusha<\/em> (1980)<\/a>, and <em>Ran<\/em> (1985) &#8212; turns in a masterful performance here as a <em>r\u014dnin<\/em> (i.e, a masterless former-samurai) with a secret. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1896\" height=\"787\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2.png 1896w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2-1024x425.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2-768x319.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2-1536x638.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still2-604x251.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1896px) 100vw, 1896px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The flashback-filled script by Shinobu Hashimoto steadily builds tension as our initial assumption &#8212; that the film will focus on Nakadai&#8217;s own honor-fueled desire to commit <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Seppuku\"><em>seppuku<\/em><\/a> (a.k.a. <em>harakiri<\/em>) &#8212; becomes more of a cat-and-mouse tale of Nakadai ensuring that arrogant Mikuni understands his connection with the previous <em>r\u014dnin<\/em> (Ishihama) at their household, and how decisions made at that time were both uninformed and ill-advised. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1903\" height=\"789\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still.png 1903w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still-1024x425.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still-768x318.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still-1536x637.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still-604x250.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1903px) 100vw, 1903px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To say more would be to spoil the adventure, so I will stop here &#8212; except to say that while things move somewhat leisurely at first, everything builds to a highly atmospheric conclusion which is well-worth the slow-burn. I&#8217;ll be watching more of Kobayashi&#8217;s films once I&#8217;m done with this project. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tatsuya Nakadai as Hanshiro Tsugumo<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1905\" height=\"797\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3.png 1905w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3-1024x428.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3-1536x643.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Still3-604x253.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1905px) 100vw, 1905px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Highly effective direction and cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1915\" height=\"797\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery.png 1915w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery-1024x426.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery-1536x639.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Cemetery-604x251.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1915px) 100vw, 1915px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Numerous heartbreaking sequences<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Heartbreaking.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Heartbreaking.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1295\" height=\"547\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Heartbreaking.png 1295w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Heartbreaking-300x127.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Heartbreaking-1024x433.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Heartbreaking-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Heartbreaking-768x324.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Heartbreaking-604x255.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1295px) 100vw, 1295px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>The beautifully shot late-film duel<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1911\" height=\"799\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight.png 1911w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight-1024x428.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight-1536x642.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Harakiri-Fight-604x253.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1911px) 100vw, 1911px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Shinobu Hashimoto&#8217;s screenplay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as an unsung masterpiece of Japanese cinema. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Foreign Gem<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0056058\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lMocXrO5M1w\">The Shogunate Video Analysis<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.criterion.com\/current\/posts\/381-harakiri-kobayashi-and-history\">Criterion Essay <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=T9pLPaYAALg\">Six Scriptsleuth: Screenwriting Tips from <em>Harakiri<\/em> (Video)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Even the famous samurai is a mere human being. He cannot live on air alone.&#8221; Synopsis: When a down-on-his-luck former samurai (Tatsuya Nakadai) arrives at the estate of a clan run by daimy\u014d Sait\u014d Kageyu (Rentar\u00f4 Mikuni), and requests safe harbor to commit seppuku, he is told the story of a younger r\u014dnin (Akira Ishihama) who made the same request several months earlier &#8212; and deeper connections between the two men are soon revealed. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Flashback&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94508\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-94508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=94508"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94508\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94668,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94508\/revisions\/94668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=94508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=94508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=94508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}