#433: MISHIMA, Yukio & MASAKI, Domoto: Patriotism (1966)

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MISHIMA, Yukio & MASAKI, Domoto (Japan)
Patriotism [1966]
Spine #433
DVD


Playwright and novelist Yukio Mishima foreshadowed his own violent suicide with this ravishing short feature, his only foray into filmmaking yet made with the expressiveness and confidence of a true cinema artist. All prints of Patriotism (Yukoku), which depicts the seppuku of an Army officer, were destroyed after Mishima's death in 1970, though the negative was saved, and the film resurfaced thirty-five years later. New viewers will be stunned at the depth and clarity of Mishima's vision, as well as his graphic depictions of sex and death. The film is presented here with a choice of Japanese or English intertitles.

Japanese Version
27 minutes
Japanese Intertitles

English Version
29 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
English Intertitles
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2008
Director/Writer

Mishima

Yukio Mishima was 41 when he and Domoto Masaki wrote and directed Patriotism.

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Seventy-four page booklet featuring essays by Tony Rayns and Mishima, and Patriotism, the original story by Mishima.

Commentary

None.

Audio recording

49-minutes of Mishima at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.
Documentary

50-minutes, featuring crew from the film’s production.
Interview

Excerpts featuring Mishima discussing World War II and death.
Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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