joeelsey14 🎬’s review published on Letterboxd:
I’d honestly call ‘Harakiri’ a pretty flawless film. I went in expecting it to be slow or maybe even dull, but it completely took me by surprise. As a history student, I found the plot fascinating, especially since it explores post-feudal Japan, a period that I find deeply interesting. The film masterfully critiques the hypocrisy of customs during this era, and the seamless transitions between present and past made it incredibly captivating. The slow pace never drags; instead, it draws you in, making every scene resonate. It reminded me a bit of Kurosawa’s (🐐) ‘Ran,’ though I’d say ‘Harakiri’ edges it out as the better film.
The acting and cinematography are exceptional. Despite the sparse settings, the camera work paints such vivid, striking images. Hanshiro’s character was phenomenal! He just was HIM! The final fight scene was brilliant, and that bamboo scene with Motome was just insane to watch. Kobayashi is a genius director, and this film cements that.
What really struck me was the message. ‘Harakiri’ doesn’t just explore honour and ritual; it condemns the inhuman authority systems that crush the working class to preserve their power. It’s a raw, deeply emotional portrayal of resistance against the elite. The film left me filled with indignation, and I think that’s exactly what it intended. I plan to watch ‘Seven Samurai’ soon, which is supposedly fantastic and similar to this, but I’ll be carrying the weight of ‘Harakiri’ for a long while; a genuine masterpiece! 5/5.
Every Film Watched (Ranked) - Check out my list - 400+ films!
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