Hara-Kiri: Death Of A Samurai

Masaki Kobayashi's Harakiri is one of the greatest Japanese films of all time and one of my favorite films, so I questioned Takashi Miike's decision to remake it. However, I must say I was pleasantly surprised by Miike's Hara-Kiri: Death Of A Samurai (2011). Miike's version is essentially faithful to the original film, and therein lies the strength of a powerful anti-feudalistic film where the codes of ninjo (human emotion) and giri (duty) become meaningless when those that enforce them don't follow the codes themselves. Miike has chosen to film in a darker setting with subtle lighting that may reflect the tragedy that is being recounted in the film. I think it is also significant that when Hanshiro (Ebizo Ichikawa) comes to the House of Ii to exact revenge for their lack of mercy and humanity concerning the treatment of his adopted son, Motome (Eita), Miike sees to it that he uses a wooden sword. In the original, Hanshiro uses a regular sword. However, for a samurai to sell his sword is the ultimate insult to the code and it is one of the reasons Motome is punished as he was. It also shows that this code of giri is not as important to Hanshiro or Motome as ninjo and familial obligations. Thus highlighting the anti-feudalistic theme.  This is a worthwhile remake, but I think the original is essential viewing.