IMDb >
Seppuku (1962)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsSeppuku (1962) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
4 August 1964 (USA)
more
Plot:
Peace in 17th-century Japan causes the Shogunate's breakup of warrior clans, throwing thousands of samurai out of work and into poverty...
more
| full synopsis
Awards:
8 wins
&
1 nomination
more
User Comments:
Does to the Samurai genre what Wild Bunch did to the Western!
more (64 total)
Cast
(Credited cast)| Tatsuya Nakadai | ... | Hanshiro Tsugumo | |
| Rentarô Mikuni | ... | Kageyu Saito | |
| Shima Iwashita | ... | Miho Tsugumo | |
| Akira Ishihama | ... | Motome Chijiiwa | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Shichisaburo Amatsu | ... | Retainer | |
| Yoshio Aoki | ... | Umenosuke Kawabe | |
| Jo Azumi | ... | Ichiro Shimmen | |
| Hisashi Igawa | ... | Retainer | |
| Yoshio Inaba | ... | Jinai Chijiiwa | |
| Akiji Kobayashi | (as Shôji Kobayashi) | ||
| Masao Mishima | ... | Tango Inaba | |
| Ichirô Nakaya | ... | Hayato Yazaki | |
| Kei Satô | ... | Masakazu | |
| Ryo Takeuchi | ... | Retainer | |
| Tetsurô Tanba | ... | Hikokuro Omodaka | |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Harakiri (USA)
more
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
133 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Stage-trained actor Tatsuya Nakadai and older film actor Rentarô Mikuni could not agree on an acceptable speaking voice while sharing the film stage. Nakadai spoke loudly and Mikuni spoke softly each citing their related acting experiences for their choice. They strongly disagreed with each other. The director, Masaki Kobayashi, halted filming and stated that he would not resume until both the actors came to an agreement. They did; stopping the shooting for three days!
more
Quotes:
Hanshiro Tsugumo:
The greatest delicacies taste of nothing when eaten alone.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Jeanie's Magic Box (1972)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (64 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Seppuku (1962) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Shichinin no samurai | Kakushi ken oni no tsume | Ran | Kaidan | Mibu gishi den |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb Japan section | Add this title to MyMovies |

Having seen this film the mind becomes clouded with the innumerable things to say about it. Only praise comes to mind. Kobayashi has crafted The great samurai film for the rebel generation and he mixes a deftly handled criticism of authoritarian hypocrisy with a very touching piece of human drama.
The plot is deceptively simple: an old samurai (touchingly portrayed by Tatsuya Nakadai of "Ran", "Kagemusha" and "Sword of Doom") arrives at a clan castle to commit seppuku in their yard, and then tells his tale, seemingly trying to gain time at first. What seems to be the rambling of an old man soon turns out to be a grieving account of how this man (and, more significantly, his loved ones) was wronged by the clan. Then comes the violent revenge (this is where you think "Wild Bunch with katanas", though they do up the ante toward the end with guns...).
Kobayashi's direction is masterful, keeping an unbearable suspense during the mostly talky film, handling the touching scenes with care and maturity and giving us a sweeping fight to top all that. The 133 minutes running time never feels half that long! At the heart of it all though, is Nakadai, who, despite an excellent CV, delivers his greatest performance ever. His Tsugumo evokes a wounded panther, grieving an grieving until it gives in to fury. Nakadai's performance alone marks the film as essential viewing.
If you're open to samurai flicks, this will rank among the finest films you've ever seen.