Harakiri (Seppuku) Blu-ray

'Harakiri (Seppuku)' Director: Masaki Kobayashi (1962) Eureka Masters of Cinema Blu-ray |  Japanese w/ English subtitles 

In 17th century Japan masterless ronin, Hanshiro, arrives at a feudal lord's palace requesting entry to perform ritual suicide. Suspected of fishing for charity, he is told of the gruesome story of the last samurai who made the same request - but Hanshiro will not be moved..

With its intricate structure and pressure-cooker atmosphere, Harakiri is a full-scale demolition job of samurai ideals and feudal hypocrisy, filmed with artistry and surgical precision, and scored by celebrated composer Tōru Takemitsu (Pale Flower, Kwaidan, Ran).

Special features include:
- Excerpt from 1993 interview with director Masaki Kobayashi discussing the film with fellow filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda
- Illustrated 28-page booklet featuring essay by film critic Philip Kemp, a 1963 interview with Kobayashi, and rarea archival production stills