Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)

A fictionalized account in four chapters of the life of celebrated Japanese writer Yukio Mishima.

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writers:

Paul Schrader, Leonard Schrader

Stars:

Ken Ogata, Masayuki Shionoya, Hiroshi Mikami

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken Ogata	...	Yukio Mishima (segment "November 25, 1970") / Narrator
Masayuki Shionoya	...	Morita (segment "November 25, 1970")
Hiroshi Mikami	...	Cadet #1 (segment "November 25, 1970")
Junya Fukuda	...	Cadet #2 (segment "November 25, 1970")
Shigeto Tachihara	...	Cadet #3 (segment "November 25, 1970")
Junkichi Orimoto	...	General Mashita (segment "November 25, 1970")
Naoko Ôtani	...	Mother (segment "Flashbacks")
Gô Rijû	...	Mishima, age 18-19 (segment "Flashbacks")
Masato Aizawa	...	Mishima - age 9-14 (segment "Flashbacks")
Yuki Nagahara	...	Mishima, age 5 (segment "Flashbacks")
Kyûzô Kobayashi	...	Literary Friend (segment "Flashbacks")
Yuki Kitazume	...	Dancing Friend (segment "Flashbacks")
Haruko Katô	...	Grandmother (segment "Flashbacks")
Yasosuke Bando	...	Mizoguchi (segment "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion")
Hisako Manda	...	Mariko (segment "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion")

Storyline

A fictionalized account in four chapters of the life of celebrated Japanese author Yukio Mishima. Three of the segments parallel events in Mishima's life with his novels (The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kyoko's House, and Runaway Horses), while the fourth depicts the actual events of the 25th Nov. 1970, "The Last Day".

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Plot Keywords:

gay | homosexual | japan | writer | author | 

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Taglines:

On November 25, 1970, Japan's greatest author Yukio Mishima commited an act that shocked the literary world...

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film uses different color palettes to differentiate between the chapters of the film:

• the (1970) contemporary scenes are shot in subdued colours
• the flashbacks are in black-and-white
• the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" chapter is in tones of gold and green
• the "Kyoko's House" chapter is in tones of pink and grey
• and the "Runaway Horses" chapter is in tones of orange and black.

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Goofs

Shadow of camera and operator on the ground, to the bottom left of frame, as the garrison assembles for Mishima to deliver his address.

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Quotes

Osamu: [after his mistress cuts him with a small blade] A thought just occurred to me: "This is the woman I've been looking for. I've finally found her." For the first time I feel like I exist. I don't need a mirror.

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Crazy Credits

Yukio Mishima is acknowledged to have been a real person, but his acts have been fictionalized by writers. Other persons and events in this film are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons and events is unintentional.

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Alternate Versions

The UK VHS version apparently inadvertently left out two shots during the film's ending: The suicide ending to "Kiyoko's House" and the burning of the pavilion in "Temple of the Golden Pavillion."

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Connections

Referenced in Pop Culture Beast's Halloween Horror Picks: Candyman (2015)

User Reviews

Highly stylized, rewarding film for thoughtful viewers.

It has taken several viewings for me to fully appreciate this film. Initially, I was struck by the stylized sets, but found the rest slow going and dull. I thought that such a sensational subject needed the Ken Russell treatment to take it way over the top. I now find the enforced restraint (placed on the production by Mishima's widow) to be an asset. Some of the more lurid aspects of Mishima's life are reiterated and dramatized by corresponding themes from his novels. I think it helps to be familiar with the novels - that's what finally made the difference for me. Still feel the film overall could be a little tighter and warmer, but it's genuinely unique, and deserves serious attention. Love the fact that the Japanese characters speak Japanese - not English. The Philip Glass score is mesmerizing.

Details

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

20 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mishima

Filming Locations:

Japan

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$437,547

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$569,996

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zoetrope Studios, Filmlink International, Lucasfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1