Hara-Kiri – Death of a Samurai is the latest fim by Takashi Miike to hit the UK even though he made 3 more already and 4th in pre-production. It’s a remake of the classic film Harakiri by Masaki Kobayashi which I have to admit I haven’t seen yet but plan to whenever I pick up the Masters of Cinema Blu-Ray. It seems to have had a pretty much direct to dvd released here with some screenings in London. It was shot in 3D but the UK release is in 2D and from seeing the film I don’t know why it shot in 3D but according to reviews of the 3D version it added depth to the image ala. Hugo.
It tells the story of Hanshiro, an out of work samurai who visits the house of Ii hoping they will grant him ritual suicide (Seppuku or Harakiri) in their courtyard which is a very prestigious honour. Lord Ii’s second in command Kageyu thinks he is bluffing so they give him charity. He than tells him the horrible story of Motome, a fellow samurai asking the same thing but was bluffing. Hanshiro after hearing the story still wants to go though with it but for some reason the top samurais are missing in the House of Ii. It’s soon revealing Hanshiro and Motome had a past.
The film is mostly told though flashback besides the scenes in the courtyard. It’s mostly a family drama actually which I found rather surprising and very intriguing. It’s rated “18” for what must be bloody violence but it seemed very tame even for a “15” and there is no nudity, language so it seemed high but maybe for the theme of suicide. It’s very well shot with a very beautifully done climax involving snow. It’s got a interesting theme of life and death and what it takes to be a samurai and the absurdity of the code they live by.
It’s obviously a lot tamer Takashi Miike film compared to his more well known films like “Audition” and “The Happiness of the Katakuris”. It’s overall a very effective and moving family drama and love story with a samurai as it’s main character.
Reviewer: Ian Schultz
Rating: 18
UK Release Date: 7th May 2012
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