Remmy Skye

Low on action high on skillful acting, enchanting and intriguing story and character. Paris of the 1960s is somewhat hypnotic, almost a character itself in this beautiful film. Now, as a Japanese historian I could say I dont make any ready connection between the main character (is he a protagonist? Can an anti hero be a true protagonist? I would say so, but I humbly offer that I am not sufficiently experienced enough as a film critic or cinema student to really answer that question) and the samurai class. To even an amateur of 50s, 60s and the in my opinion awful 70s to early and mid 80s Japanese film, the parallels between the main character of le samourai and an archetype ronin character dealing with betrayal, corruption and pursuit, is readily apparent. Nonetheless this is still a wonderful way to spend an hour and a half, as it is miles and miles AND MILES AND MILES above in quality anything that has come out of cinema in the past 20 to 30 years.

This is one of my favorite films and I strongly believe it to be one of the greatest films ever made and a film that can transcend language and culture with its powerful performances and gripping, shocking story. This is the original Harakiri. There was a remake of the film by Takashi Miike in the 21st century and while that remake is noteworthy and quite powerful in it of itself it is not nor could it ever be as good and compelling as the original. The lead character is portrayed by the legendary Japanese actor Nakadai Tetsuya. In a break from the roles he had been more famous for at the time (for instance, younger characters) he plays an older man. In an interview about Harakiri Nakadai once said that he initially felt Japans equivalent of John Wayne, their most famous actor, Mifune Toshiro, was perhaps the natural choice for the role but nevertheless Mr. Nakadai accepted the part and accepted the challenge. In my estimation he made the role iconic and did things with the character that perhaps even the great Mifune Toshiro would not have been able to. One of the primary antagonists to Mr. Nakadai's protagonist is played by the incredibly multi talented Tamba Tetsuro. It was Mr. Nakadai who remarked in an on camera interview that Mr. Tamba was one of the most talented men he (Mr. Nakadai) knew. Mr. Nakadai explained how of all the Japanese actors, Mr. Tamba probably possessed the strongest ability to speak and understand the English language. In addition, Mr. Nakadai expressed admiration for Mr. Tambas uncanny swordsmanship abilities, remarking that Mr. Tamba was one of the best, if not the best, actual swordsmen amongst popular Japanese actors of the time. Mr. Tamba Tetsuro will probably be best remembered by western fans for his.portrayal of "Tiger Tanaka" in a James Bond film. If any viewer of this film should pay close attention, they will see that in fact the weapons being used by the various actors in the film are all actually real, unblunted blades, spears and arrows. Not only has Mr. Nakadai admitted to this but even a casual observer should be able to take note of the greater weight and thus greater difficulty in swinging the swords in the film as opposed to the more rapid and fluent movements seen in most Japanese samurai films.