This BBC produced documentary about Yukio Mishima highlights the many known major aspects of his life and personality. Mishima was a pen name he adopted en route to his chosen life as a writer. He eventually became recognized as one of Japan's most prolific post-World War II writers, producing stories, plays and novels. He became tortured by his bisexuality/homosexuality and shyness around people as a young man. Both of these played a role in his work as did many other eventful occurrences throughout his life. Mishima had an admirable dedication to the forgotten samurai way of life and ideals, which later turned into an unhealthy obsession, culminating in the storming of a general's garrison on November 25, 1970. It was Mishima's way of combining beauty, art, and action; ultimately the garrison forced to assemble and listen to his speech on that day rejected him. Mishima gave his life for his ideals, however misguided and twisted one might think him to be. His literary output of 40 novels, 18 plays (both for Noh and Kabuki theater), 20 books of short stories, 20 books of essays, and a film remain a testament to his talent despite his simultaneous tendency, at times, to be commercial, controversial, and unconventional. *** of 4 stars.
2 Reviews
An author finds out that the sword is mightier than the pen.
triggerhappyguy24 September 2014
I was really curious to find out more about Yukio Mishima. I read a little about him before watching this documentary and I was very keen to see some more information on his life and impact on Japanese culture.
Sadly, this was a very dry documentary about an otherwise interesting man. Mishima was obviously a very interesting and convoluted man, but this documentary fell flat when it came to presenting snippets of his life. John Hurt, who is usually great at narrating documentaries of this irk, seemed like he was on autopilot. He almost put me to sleep.
I think a great documentary needs to leave you with a feeling of wanting to know more about the subject. The documentary achieved this, but not in a positive way. Whilst I felt I learned some things about Mishima, I was left feeling like a had to do a lot of research to truly understand him and his views. Perhaps it's because he was a complex man, but I feel that the documentary did a poor job at exposing me to him and his life.
Recommended if you want to see some archive footage of the man himself, otherwise you could probably find out more about him from your own research.
Sadly, this was a very dry documentary about an otherwise interesting man. Mishima was obviously a very interesting and convoluted man, but this documentary fell flat when it came to presenting snippets of his life. John Hurt, who is usually great at narrating documentaries of this irk, seemed like he was on autopilot. He almost put me to sleep.
I think a great documentary needs to leave you with a feeling of wanting to know more about the subject. The documentary achieved this, but not in a positive way. Whilst I felt I learned some things about Mishima, I was left feeling like a had to do a lot of research to truly understand him and his views. Perhaps it's because he was a complex man, but I feel that the documentary did a poor job at exposing me to him and his life.
Recommended if you want to see some archive footage of the man himself, otherwise you could probably find out more about him from your own research.
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