Harakiri Review: A Bitter Samurai Tragedy
9/10 — Harakiri (1962)
Pros
- Nakadai's commanding performance
- Beautiful composition
- Thoughtful critique of honour
Cons
- Slow, heavy pacing
- Harrowing scenes
A ronin arrives at a feudal lord’s house asking to commit ritual suicide, and tells a story that reveals the hypocrisy of the samurai code. Masaki Kobayashi’s film is a bleak and critical counterpart to heroic samurai films.
What works
Tatsuya Nakadai gives a restrained, powerful performance, and the story is told through patient flashbacks that build to a devastating revelation. The black-and-white widescreen compositions are stunning, and the final duel is fierce.
Where it falters
The measured pace and heavy subject matter require patience, and there’s a harsh scene of suffering.
Verdict
A powerful, angry classic that deserves to be better known.
