# Harakiri (1962) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/harakiri-1962/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 85% |
| Editorial Rating | 88/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 90% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 82/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.1/5 |
| IMDb | 8.6/10 |
| Director | Masaki Kobayashi |
| Genres | Action, Drama, History |
| Runtime | 135 min |

## Quick answer

Harakiri (1962) earns a 85% Celluloid Score — Recommended. IMDb Top 250 #39 (8.6/10) — Harakiri remains one of the most highly rated films of all time. Metascore 82/100. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi.

## Celluloid verdict

IMDb Top 250 #39 (8.6/10) — Harakiri remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.

## Synopsis

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.

## Cast

Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Ishihama, Shima Iwashita, Tetsuro Tamba, Masao Mishima, Ichirō Nakatani, Kei Satō, Yoshio Inaba, Hisashi Igawa, Toru Takeuchi

## Where to watch

Global: The Criterion Channel
the United States: The Criterion Channel
South Korea: not currently streaming
Japan: Hulu, U-NEXT

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is Harakiri worth watching?**
Harakiri holds a 85% Celluloid Score. IMDb Top 250 #39 (8.6/10) — Harakiri remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.

**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.

**Who directed Harakiri?**
Harakiri (1962) was directed by Masaki Kobayashi.

**What is the Celluloid Score of Harakiri?**
85% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (88/100), Metascore (82/100), Letterboxd (4.1/5), and IMDb (8.6/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**Where can I watch Harakiri?**
Harakiri is streaming on The Criterion Channel; on The Criterion Channel in the United States; on Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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