MovieChat Forums > Seppuku (1964) Discussion > A masterpiece

A masterpiece

posted 11 years ago by FilmKoala
4 replies | jump to latest

I've seen a ton of films in my lifetime, but Harakiri is the only one I've seen that I would say is completely perfect, flawless. It's an amazing movie.

[–] pitviper_90 10 years ago

I'm not on the same level of adoration as you are about the film, but it is certainly an emotionally churning and beautifully composed film. Very unique in its use of the camera and much more violent and searing than most other samurai films I have seen. It's gotten me interested in watching more Masaki Kobayashi films.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] svenrufus 10 years ago

I've just finished watching this. I'm pretty blown away I've got to say. I wouldn't say it's perfect, but it is truly outstanding. I had no idea it would be that good.

The tension is almost unbearable at times - I think it's astounding to have a 'samurai' film with so little actual fighting, but so much action coming from the words and expressions of the performers.

I've just been hoovering up loads of Kurosawa on Film4 lately, and thought they were great, but now I've found another film that makes them look second rate by comparison. This is my film of the year so far.

[–] variable0 10 years ago

This is the only film that I can think of that has no haters/detractors. This is due in part to being under the radar to many.

It currently has an 8.6/10 IMDB score, which would place it in the Top 30 if it had enough votes (currently 25000 threshold). Meanwhile it has a 4.9/5.0 rating on Amazon. I bought the Criterion DVD from Amazon and its one of the jewels of my collection. Although it doesnt have a Metacritic score, the reviews were overwhelmingly positve and the film won a Jury Prize at Cannes.

You could make the case that its the most underrated film out there. Much of it has to do with the lack of availabiliy/access to Kobayashi's work. Only a handful of his films are available in NA. Unfortunatley, Kobayashi is not as critically renowned as his more famous peers. And while his body of work may not stack up to Kurasawa, Mizoguchi, or Ozu, Harakiri is right up there with Seven Samurai, Ikiru, Rashomon, Ugetsu, and Tokyo Story.