HARAKIRI in 35mm

[SEPPUKU] [切腹]
In one of his most memorable roles, Tatsuya Nakadai plays a masterless samurai who begs the Iyi clan to allow him to commit hara-kiri (ritual suicide) within their esteemed manor. The clan is suspicious of his resolve, believing he may be angling for mercy and a position within their ranks instead of an honorable death. They attempt to force the samurai’s hand but soon discover the man before them is more than he appears to be. Director Masaki Kobayshi’s acclaimed jidaigeki is an incisive critique of authoritarianism, a recurring theme in his filmography, including the three-part epic THE HUMAN CONDITION. As the leading man, Nakadai demonstrates his remarkable acting prowess portraying a character who is at once both a fierce samurai and a gentle family man. Aficionados who may find the swordplay strange; take note: the actors used real swords. DIR Masaki Kobayashi; SCR Shinobu Hashimoto, from the novel “Ibunronin ki” by Yasuhiko Takiguchi; PROD Tatsuo Hosoya. Japan, 1962, b&w, 133 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. NOT RATED

In Memoriam: Tatsuya Nakadai (1932–2025)

Run Time: 133 Minutes

Opening Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026

Genre: History

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