10 Greatest Samurai Films Of The 21st Century
6. Hara-Kiri: Death Of A Samurai
Moving into more contained and rugged territory, the 2011 release: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai dives deep into the more brutal nature of Samurai culture. Honour was immensely important to these clans of warriors and many a swordsman believed it was better to take their own life rather than stand before their brothers and masters in shame.
As a common fixture of feudal Japan for centuries, it became a fledgling part of the nation's life and as director Takeshi Miike shows us, committing Seppuku was not to be taken lightly. As such, the film is a personal tale following a single Samurai, who gradually learns the fate of a previous warrior who committed the same act several months earlier.
As the man moves towards committing the same deed himself, the bleak tone of the film is revealed. The wave of emotion that sweeps the proceedings is conveyed incredibly well throughout. We're alone with the protagonist with little more than than the serene snow-capped courtyard setting for company.
The mystery surround the Samurai's predecessor eventually forms a gradual reveal of information, causing a tense and claustrophobic showdown to erupt. It's less extravagant than other entries on this list, but Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai makes great use of its minimalist approach.