This tense drama unfolds as an unemployed samurai is forced to commit harakiri by a feudal lord in 17th century Japan. His father-in-law then comes on the scene, evidently to follow him in death, as the film builds to a bloody climax. Director Masaki Kob ayashi, screenplay by Shinobu Hashimoto, based on a novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi; stars Tatsuya Nakadai, Shima Iwashita, Akira Ishihama. Letterboxed, in Japanese with English subtitles.