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IMDbPro

Harakiri

Original title: Seppuku
  • 19621962
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 13m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
60K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,033
163
Harakiri (1962)
ActionDramaMystery
When a ronin requesting seppuku at a feudal lord's palace is told of the brutal suicide of another ronin who previously visited, he reveals how their pasts are intertwined - and in doing so ... Read allWhen a ronin requesting seppuku at a feudal lord's palace is told of the brutal suicide of another ronin who previously visited, he reveals how their pasts are intertwined - and in doing so challenges the clan's integrity.When a ronin requesting seppuku at a feudal lord's palace is told of the brutal suicide of another ronin who previously visited, he reveals how their pasts are intertwined - and in doing so challenges the clan's integrity.
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
60K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,033
163
  • Director
    • Masaki Kobayashi
  • Writers
    • Yasuhiko Takiguchi(novel "Ibun rônin ki")
    • Shinobu Hashimoto(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tatsuya Nakadai
    • Akira Ishihama
    • Shima Iwashita
  • Director
    • Masaki Kobayashi
  • Writers
    • Yasuhiko Takiguchi(novel "Ibun rônin ki")
    • Shinobu Hashimoto(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tatsuya Nakadai
    • Akira Ishihama
    • Shima Iwashita
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 299User reviews
    • 82Critic reviews
    • 85Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #45
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 3 nominations

    Photos71

    Tatsuya Nakadai in Harakiri (1962)
    Tatsuya Nakadai in Harakiri (1962)
    Tatsuya Nakadai and Tetsurô Tanba in Harakiri (1962)
    Tatsuya Nakadai in Harakiri (1962)
    Tatsuya Nakadai in Harakiri (1962)
    Tatsuya Nakadai in Harakiri (1962)
    Tatsuya Nakadai in Harakiri (1962)
    Tatsuya Nakadai in Harakiri (1962)
    Harakiri (1962)
    Harakiri (1962)
    Harakiri (1962)
    Harakiri (1962)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tatsuya Nakadai
    Tatsuya Nakadai
    • Hanshiro Tsugumo
    Akira Ishihama
    Akira Ishihama
    • Motome Chijiiwa
    Shima Iwashita
    Shima Iwashita
    • Miho Tsugumo
    Tetsurô Tanba
    Tetsurô Tanba
    • Hikokuro Omodaka
    Masao Mishima
    Masao Mishima
    • Tango Inaba
    Ichirô Nakatani
    Ichirô Nakatani
    • Hayato Yazaki
    Kei Satô
    Kei Satô
    • Masakazu
    Yoshio Inaba
    Yoshio Inaba
    • Jinai Chijiiwa
    Hisashi Igawa
    Hisashi Igawa
    • Retainer
    Tôru Takeuchi
    • Retainer
    Yoshirô Aoki
    • Umenosuke Kawabe
    Tatsuo Matsumura
    Tatsuo Matsumura
    • Seibei
    Akiji Kobayashi
    Akiji Kobayashi
    • Ii Clan Retainer
    Kôichi Hayashi
    Ryûtarô Gomi
    Ryûtarô Gomi
    • General
    Jô Azumi
    • Ichiro Shimmen
    Nakajirô Tomita
    Shichisaburô Amatsu
    • Retainer
    • Director
      • Masaki Kobayashi
    • Writers
      • Yasuhiko Takiguchi(novel "Ibun rônin ki")
      • Shinobu Hashimoto(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While filming, Tatsuya Nakadai was afraid during most of the sword and spear fighting scenes because real swords were being used, a practice now forbidden in Japanese films. His concern was not alleviated even though professional swordsmen were employed during the choreographed swordplay.
    • Goofs
      After Motome's seppuku, when Omodaka steps forward and chops Motome's head off (supposedly), he visibly stops his swing before striking Motome's neck (naturally, since real swords were used).
    • Quotes

      Hanshiro Tsugumo: What befalls others today, may be your own fate tomorrow.

    • Connections
      Featured in Through the Mist (2009)

    User reviews299

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Does to the Samurai genre what Wild Bunch did to the Western!
    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.
    helpful•51
    9
    • OttoVonB
    • Oct 7, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 4, 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Hara-Kiri
    • Filming locations
      • Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
    • Production company
      • Shochiku
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,222
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 13 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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