Harakiri (1962) Review

Is Harakiri worth watching?

Yes — Harakiri is worth watching, with a 88% Critic Score and 90% Audience Score on Celluloid. It earns a 86% Celluloid Score across critic reviews, audience polls, Metascore (82), Letterboxd (4.1/5), and IMDb (8.6/10).

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi, Harakiri runs 135 minutes in Japanese. On Celluloid we index it for “Harakiri review”, “is Harakiri worth watching”, and related discovery queries from Japan.

What is Harakiri about?

Down-on-his-luck veteran Tsugumo Hanshirō enters the courtyard of the prosperous House of Iyi. Unemployed, and with no family, he hopes to find a place to commit seppuku—and a worthy second to deliver the coup de grâce in his suicide ritual. The senior counselor for the Iyi clan questions the ronin’s resolve and integrity, suspecting Hanshirō of seeking charity rather than an honorable end. What follows is a pair of interlocking stories which lay bare the difference between honor and respect, and promises to examine the legendary foundations of the Samurai code.

Critics consensus: IMDb Top 250 #39 (8.6/10) — Harakiri remains one of the most highly rated films of all time. The film stars Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Ishihama, Shima Iwashita, Tetsuro Tamba, Masao Mishima, and others.

Should you watch Harakiri tonight?

Yes — prioritize Harakiri tonight if you want a proven action with lasting rewatch value. At 135 minutes, it fits a single sitting — and the five-source score breakdown on the movie page shows where critics and audiences agree.

Where can I watch Harakiri?

Streaming availability varies by region — check Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and local OTT platforms, or theatrical revivals. Harakiri (1962) is indexed on CelluloidScore.com with cast, scores, and IMDb tt0056058. Explore more from Japan on our country hub or browse action films.