---
product_id: 4892431
title: "Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]"
price: "C$3706"
currency: NIO
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.ni/products/4892431-harakiri-the-criterion-collection-blu-ray
store_origin: NI
region: Nicaragua
---

# Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

**Price:** C$3706
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
- **How much does it cost?** C$3706 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ni](https://www.desertcart.ni/products/4892431-harakiri-the-criterion-collection-blu-ray)

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## Why This Product

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## Description

Following the collapse of his clan, an unemployed samurai ( Ran's Tatsuya Nakadai) arrives at the manor of Lord Iyi, begging to commit ritual suicide on his property. Iyi's clansmen, believing the desperate ronin is merely angling for a new position, try to force him to eviscerate himself— but they have underestimated his beliefs and his personal brand of honor. Winner of the 1963 Cannes Film Festival's Special Jury Prize, Harakiri , directed by Masaki Kobayashi ( The Human Condition ) is a fierce evocation of individual agency in the face of a corrupt and hypocritical system.

Review: the best Japanese movie ever??? - This has got to be one of the greatest artistic illustrations of rebellion against an oppressive and cunning authority. A timeless ordeal that has marred humanity since our infancy is brought here (in HARA KIRI) to the most stunning, effective and thought-provoking representation I've ever witnessed on film. The premise and the narrative are simple enough for anyone to comprehend, yet wrought with limitless subtlety to keep the thinker thinking for a very long time. This film will infinitely test the Draconian thinker as it's difficult for the rationalist to bend under passionate distress. But when humanity presents itself naked and powerless, even Samurai code is put to the test. This film is a terrific representation of both sides of a uniquely human equation. On one hand, we are bound to the authorities which we invent. On the other, we are bound to the humanity with which we are born. As honorable as it is to remain tenacious for a belief, it's just as honorable to fight relentlessly for survival. It's just plain wrong, however, for authority to manipulate the very honor for which it is regarded in order to spite or punish those who struggle to live. I can understand and respect punishment, but I will never respect or agree with punishment that is handed out fraudulently. An early character is this film commits hara kiri, believing that given his present circumstances, hara kiri is the most honorable and respectable way die. Unbeknownst to him, however, his superiors are using hara kiri as a means of punishment, made all the more brutal and inhumane through the use of a bamboo blade. Had the character committing hara kiri disclosed his situation to his superiors, or had his superiors asked the character to disclose his situation, the hara kiri and ensuing revenge plot might have been avoided entirely. But unfortunately, our unwavering fortitude under invented systems of belief and authority can and will inevitably lead to tragic ends. As far as the picture is concerned, Criterion nails it. Unless you're a raging cinephile, ignore the cropping criticisms. The experts at Criterion wouldn't crop unless it were absolutely necessary to improve the overall aesthetic virtues of the transfer. Regardless, the cropping is insignificant; the cinematography remains among the best ever. I was floored by some of the close-ups; they're really shocking. It's obvious after seeing this film where modern Japanese filmmakers find their inspiration. This is about as beautiful as black and white gets, the most beautiful b&w film I've seen being THE WHITE RIBBON on BD. This transfer comes pretty darn close to that, and this film is how old again? Criterion are good at respectfully handling grain. So, no issues there. There are spots and scratches every now and then, but they're extremely few and insignificant. If it weren't for their occasional appearance, it would be difficult to discern the age of this movie. The audio is mono. What more can be said about it? Yes, it's as true to the source as you're going to get, and it's extremely clean, but it's still mono. I hope you enjoy this film as much as I did :)
Review: Human Drama-highest reccomend. - Some good reviews and good attempts to summarize the plot. I urge that no one be put off by the anticipation that it will be confusing or overly complex. The story is told largely in flashback, and somewhat out of sequence, but it makes perfect sense to tell it that way, somehow. It is in no way hard to follow, and the exposition unfolds perfectly. This movie is very strongly made up of Japanese cultural influences and history, yet the themes and underlying conflicts are universal. This is a human drama, told through strong empathetic characters. Hanshiro is one of the most admirable characters I have ever seen depicted...from his (anecdotal) heroism at Sekigahara, his honorable action when the clan is disbanded, raising his son, to whom he exhibits great love and loyalty, to the fact that when reduced to making umbrellas, he seems to be a painstaking and diligent craftsman. AND he gets to be a doting grandpa, babytalking and mugging to his little grandson. Then when he has lost it all, he acts, again, with honor, in the only way left to him. Much is made of Kobayashi's undeniable attacks on authoritarianism, but it is also undeniable that to the end Hanshiro is the MOST honorable and the MOST true to the ideals bushido would have an individual uphold. The failure of bushido, as with any system of ideals, is in the imperfect humans who try (or do not) to uphold them, not necessarily in the ideals themselves. This is a wonderful film, beautifully composed and well-acted. The actor portraying the Chamberlain does a fine job, in particular. Hanshiro's rebellion is directed fully at him, and in the end, it is difficult to tell what effect the exposure of so many dishonorable actions has had on him. SPOILER!!! (as if you don't already know...) One thing that has been little mentioned is the bleakness of the ending...in the end, the scribe notes only that on that date, one samurai committed honorable bushido in the House of Iyi, and a large number of retainers died of illness. Indeed, the narrator records that publically, the Iyi clan got away with everything, covering up the truth. The last shot, of the armor restored, soulless and imposing, is chilling. The more so noting the date of the action was 1630, and the code and society that drove Hanshiro to his desparate action was to continue for over two centuries.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 630 Reviews |

## Product Details

- **Genre:** Action & Adventure
- **Format:** Blu-ray
- **Contributor:** Akira Ishihama, Masaki Kobayashi, Rentaro Mikuni, Tatsuya Nakadai
- **Language:** English
- **Runtime:** 2 hours and 13 minutes

## Images

![Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61G8GzSp-8L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ the best Japanese movie ever???
*by P***I on July 31, 2012*

This has got to be one of the greatest artistic illustrations of rebellion against an oppressive and cunning authority. A timeless ordeal that has marred humanity since our infancy is brought here (in HARA KIRI) to the most stunning, effective and thought-provoking representation I've ever witnessed on film. The premise and the narrative are simple enough for anyone to comprehend, yet wrought with limitless subtlety to keep the thinker thinking for a very long time. This film will infinitely test the Draconian thinker as it's difficult for the rationalist to bend under passionate distress. But when humanity presents itself naked and powerless, even Samurai code is put to the test. This film is a terrific representation of both sides of a uniquely human equation. On one hand, we are bound to the authorities which we invent. On the other, we are bound to the humanity with which we are born. As honorable as it is to remain tenacious for a belief, it's just as honorable to fight relentlessly for survival. It's just plain wrong, however, for authority to manipulate the very honor for which it is regarded in order to spite or punish those who struggle to live. I can understand and respect punishment, but I will never respect or agree with punishment that is handed out fraudulently. An early character is this film commits hara kiri, believing that given his present circumstances, hara kiri is the most honorable and respectable way die. Unbeknownst to him, however, his superiors are using hara kiri as a means of punishment, made all the more brutal and inhumane through the use of a bamboo blade. Had the character committing hara kiri disclosed his situation to his superiors, or had his superiors asked the character to disclose his situation, the hara kiri and ensuing revenge plot might have been avoided entirely. But unfortunately, our unwavering fortitude under invented systems of belief and authority can and will inevitably lead to tragic ends. As far as the picture is concerned, Criterion nails it. Unless you're a raging cinephile, ignore the cropping criticisms. The experts at Criterion wouldn't crop unless it were absolutely necessary to improve the overall aesthetic virtues of the transfer. Regardless, the cropping is insignificant; the cinematography remains among the best ever. I was floored by some of the close-ups; they're really shocking. It's obvious after seeing this film where modern Japanese filmmakers find their inspiration. This is about as beautiful as black and white gets, the most beautiful b&w film I've seen being THE WHITE RIBBON on BD. This transfer comes pretty darn close to that, and this film is how old again? Criterion are good at respectfully handling grain. So, no issues there. There are spots and scratches every now and then, but they're extremely few and insignificant. If it weren't for their occasional appearance, it would be difficult to discern the age of this movie. The audio is mono. What more can be said about it? Yes, it's as true to the source as you're going to get, and it's extremely clean, but it's still mono. I hope you enjoy this film as much as I did :)

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Human Drama-highest reccomend.
*by T***S on July 18, 2006*

Some good reviews and good attempts to summarize the plot. I urge that no one be put off by the anticipation that it will be confusing or overly complex. The story is told largely in flashback, and somewhat out of sequence, but it makes perfect sense to tell it that way, somehow. It is in no way hard to follow, and the exposition unfolds perfectly. This movie is very strongly made up of Japanese cultural influences and history, yet the themes and underlying conflicts are universal. This is a human drama, told through strong empathetic characters. Hanshiro is one of the most admirable characters I have ever seen depicted...from his (anecdotal) heroism at Sekigahara, his honorable action when the clan is disbanded, raising his son, to whom he exhibits great love and loyalty, to the fact that when reduced to making umbrellas, he seems to be a painstaking and diligent craftsman. AND he gets to be a doting grandpa, babytalking and mugging to his little grandson. Then when he has lost it all, he acts, again, with honor, in the only way left to him. Much is made of Kobayashi's undeniable attacks on authoritarianism, but it is also undeniable that to the end Hanshiro is the MOST honorable and the MOST true to the ideals bushido would have an individual uphold. The failure of bushido, as with any system of ideals, is in the imperfect humans who try (or do not) to uphold them, not necessarily in the ideals themselves. This is a wonderful film, beautifully composed and well-acted. The actor portraying the Chamberlain does a fine job, in particular. Hanshiro's rebellion is directed fully at him, and in the end, it is difficult to tell what effect the exposure of so many dishonorable actions has had on him. SPOILER!!! (as if you don't already know...) One thing that has been little mentioned is the bleakness of the ending...in the end, the scribe notes only that on that date, one samurai committed honorable bushido in the House of Iyi, and a large number of retainers died of illness. Indeed, the narrator records that publically, the Iyi clan got away with everything, covering up the truth. The last shot, of the armor restored, soulless and imposing, is chilling. The more so noting the date of the action was 1630, and the code and society that drove Hanshiro to his desparate action was to continue for over two centuries.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Now my favorite Japanese film
*by M***N on November 23, 2005*

The story has everything in it, including tragedy and dark humor. The main theme is revenge, but also apotheosis: a Samurai breaking with the definition of his life to be true to his inner self. He calls the Samurai code a "facade", and then proves it by kicking butt in the most realistic one-man stand I have ever enjoyed in movies. This film has the most realistically correographed sword fights I have ever seen. None of the fashionable flashing swords and furious (jiggly) camera work that typifies filmed sword fights, especially in recent years. Even in 1962, this was a uniquely faithful depiction of kendo - the discipline of the "perfect cut." The fighters like to stay well out of range until they can attack or counter attack without getting hurt! "No duh." But how many movies really show this natural caution in fighters? No others that I can think of off-hand. This masterpiece blows away Kurosawa's stuff, which I also enjoy a great deal. Harakiri is just as artfully done, both the cinematography and the direction, but it is far more realistic visually. (I am glad it was in black and white!) It is very tight and fast-paced, despite a lot of scenes where people are just looking at each other and talking. I wish more films were this balanced, instead of the steady move toward more gratuitous action and less drama that feels connected to real life. The characters are alien in the way they act, to American eyes, but their emotions are completely reachable. Harakiri is a perfect reminder of why I enjoy foreign film so much: it puts me in touch with humanity from another place and time. And being in touch, I know that we are at the core always the same. Tradtion and culture do not change our emotions or desires for happiness. And family lies at the very center of achieving it, or becoming so grief stricken that we welcome death. (A technical observation about correography of sword duels in films: this film has the right feel about what we see. I think that depicting a sword and shield duel in Viking Iceland would, if authentically portrayed, show the same thing: a lot of long range circling and feinting, with constant eye contact, and a few bursts of attack and reaction.)

## Frequently Bought Together

- Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
- Seven Samurai (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]
- Yojimbo / Sanjuro: Two Samurai Films by Akira Kurosawa (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]

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*Last updated: 2026-01-23*