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Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)
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In Paul Schrader's unusual biopic, Ken Ogata stars as Yukio Mishima, perhaps the most celebrated Japanese novelist of the last five decades. The film begins with Mishima's youth, then moves forward in episodic fashion to his 1970 suicide, symbolically committed at a military site. Originally titled Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, the film is neatly divided into a quartet of acts, and the screenplay does not flinch in its depiction of Mishima's hyperactive sex life. Among the many neat directorial touches is the decision to offer the narrative in black-and-white, while depicting scenes from Mishima's novels in vibrant color. Written off as self-indulgent by those impatient with Schrader's fragmentary technique, Mishima was produced in Japan by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, an offshoot of Coppola's involvement with Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Ken Ogata, Masayuki Shionoya, (more)
Director(s):
Paul Schrader
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

In Paul Schrader's unusual biopic, Ken Ogata stars as Yukio Mishima, perhaps the most celebrated Japanese novelist of the last five decades. The film begins with Mishima's youth, then moves forward in episodic fashion to his 1970 suicide, symbolically committed at a military site. Originally titled Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, the film is neatly divided into a quartet of acts, and the screenplay does not flinch in its depiction of Mishima's hyperactive sex life. Among the many neat directorial touches is the decision to offer the narrative in black-and-white, while depicting scenes from Mishima's novels in vibrant color. Written off as self-indulgent by those impatient with Schrader's fragmentary technique, Mishima was produced in Japan by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, an offshoot of Coppola's involvement with Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
120 mins

Complete Cast of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters


Director(s):
Paul Schrader
Writer(s):
Chieko Schrader, Paul Schrader, Leonard Schrader
Producer(s):
Mata Yamamoto, Mataichiro, George Lucas
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Nudity, Adult Situations, Violence, Sexual Situations, Adult Language)
Categories:
Independent Films
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters Awards:
  • 1985 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Artistic Contribution
  • 1985 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Artistic Contribution
  • 1985 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Artistic Contribution
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Diane H.

    I liked the cover art, so I bought the sound track back in the 80s. Then I bought and read many of Mishima's works. I didn't read a bio, and I did not see the movie until late 2007. It wasn't what I expected. I would have prefered a normal, linear story, but the slightly surreal telling is kind of appealing. Don't expect it to hold your attention. I suspect DVD and the pause button were made for films like this, so you could drop it when your interest waned and restart when you felt like it again.

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    Joey D.

    Please, please, please, do not watch unless you are familiar with Yukios work or life. With that being said, the film presented Mishima's work as well as anyone might suspect and the music was pretty groovy. If your educated on the subject, your in for a good time.

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    Todd H.

    I came to this film as a man with Yukio Mishima at the very top of his list of favorite authors. My favorite book of all time is "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion" and I love the way it's presented in this very strange film. When you watch it, prepare yourself for a style of storytelling that requires more of your attention than is easily paid to a movie.

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