In this grim yet exquisitely composed film, Kobayashi delves into the world of the 17th-century samurai, examining "the honor in death--and the death of honor" (<I>Time</I>). After an unemployed samurai is forced to commit harakiri before a feudal lord, his father-in-law returns to the scene, seemingly to play out the same agonizing suicide ritual. Tensions grow to excruciating levels, then find thrilling release as the elder warrior strikes out one last time against a cruelly rigid society.
Viewer Reviews I have both versions. The video is cleaner now and the translation/subtitles make MUCH more sense.
Kudos to the production company for Improving the movie and not just re-releasing the old version!!!!
