#432: SCHRADER, Paul: Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters (1985)

SCHRADER, Paul (United States)

Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters [1985]

Spine #432
DVD

Paul Schrader's visually stunning, collagelike portrait of acclaimed Japanese author and playwright Yuko Mishima (played by Ken Ogata) investigates the inner turmoil and contradictions of a man who attempted an impossible harmony between self, art, and society. Taking place on Mishima's last day, when he famously committed public seppuku, the film is punctuated by extended flashbacks to the writer's life, as well as by gloriously stylized evocations of his fictional works, with its rich cinematography by John Bailey, exquisite sets and costumes by Eiko Ishioka, and unforgettable, highly influential score by Philip Glass, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters is a tribute to its subject and a bold, investigative work of art in its own right.

120 minutes
Black & White/Color

Stereo

in Japanese

1:85:1 aspect ratio

Criterion Release 2008

Director/Writers

Written by Paul Schrader and Leonard Schrader.

Paul Schrader was 39 when he directed Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.

Other Schrader films in the Collection:

#1041: The Comfort Of Strangers (1990)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Sixty-page booklet featuring an essays by Kevin Jackson, Eiko Ishioka, and Banned in Japan.

Commentary

Featuring Schrader and producer Alan Poul.

Video interviews 1

With DP John Bailey, producers Tom Luddy and Mataichirô Yamamoto, composer Philip Glass, and production designer Ishioka.

Video interviews 2

With Mishima biographer John Nathan and friend Donald Richie.

Audio interview

With coscreenwriter Chieko Schrader.

Video interview 3

Featuring Mishima talking about writing.

The Strange Case of Yukio Mishima

A 55-minute BBC documentary.

Theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

99

By Director
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