Harakiri
The Shogunate breaks up warrior clans in Japan 17th century, putting thousands of samurai out work and in poverty. Under the samurai code, ritual suicide or harakiri (self inflicted intestinal disembowelment) is an honorable way to end such fate. Hanshiro Tsugumo, an elder warrior (Tatsuya Nagai), seeks admission to the home of a feudal ruler to perform the act. He learns about the fate of his young son-in law, an older samurai, who tried to get work in the house, but was forced into traditional harakiri with a dull bamboo knife. The samurai retells in flashbacks his tragic tale of his son, who was made to sell his real sword for his wife and child. Tsugumo sets off a fierce showdown against the house. –Kevin Rayburn
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Actors: Akira Ishihama, Ichirô Nakatani, Kei Satō, Masao Mishima, Shima Iwashita, Tatsuya Nakadai, Tetsurō Tamba
Country: Japan
