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Patriotism - Criterion Collection
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
Brand: Image Entertainment
EAN: 0715515029827
Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC
Item Dimensions: 100
Label: Criterion
Languages: Japanese (Original Language), English (Subtitled),
Manufacturer: Criterion
MPN: CC1753DDVD
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Criterion
Region Code: 1
Release Date: July 01, 2008
Running Time: 56 minutes
Studio: Criterion
Theatrical Release Date: 1966
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Editorial Review:
Author Yukio Mishima's fascination with ritual suicide is at the heart of Patriotism, a 1966 short film co-directed by and co-starring Mishima, and based on one of his many short stories. Self-consciously arty and occasionally laughable, the film nevertheless is sensual, emotionally intense, and well-acted. Mishima stars as Lt. Takeyama, a naval officer who supports an attempted coup of his government, but who is barred by fellow officers--his friends--from participation in it because of his love for Reiko (Yoshiko Tsuruoka). When the coup fails, Takeyama is given the task of executing the rebels. Caught between conflicting points of honor, Takeyama opts for seppuku (suicide), which will make Reiko a lonely widow. The couple decides to commit double suicide, with Takeyama going first. Most of the movie finds the two making love with a unique passion and deep bond that will last beyond death. The black-and-white film blankets the lovers in protective shadows while underscoring their passion and desire through the simplest, most economic gestures. Patriotism's eroticism extends, as Mishima would have it, to seppuku itself. Not that Takeyama's self-disembowelment is a pleasure to watch--in fact, it's horrifying and looks rather realistic. Yet it is another act of the flesh shared between Takeyama and Reiko, a bridge to some place where love and doom meet. This Criterion Collection disc also features a filmed interview with Mishima, as well as an audio recording of a talk he gave. --Tom Keogh
Playwright and novelist Yukio Mishima predicted his own suicide with this ravishing short feature his only foray into filmmaking yet directed with the expressiveness and confidence of a true cinema artist. All prints of Patriotism (Yukoku) which depicts the seppuku (ritual suicide) of a naval 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.SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:New restored high-definition digital transfer of the Japanese and English versions with optional Japanese or English intertitlesA 45-minute audio interview with Yukio Mishima speaking to the Foreign Correspondents' AssociationA 45-minute making-of documentary featuring crew from the film's productionInterview excerpts featuring Mishima discussing war and deathNew and improved English subtitle translationPLUS: A new essay by renowned critic and historian Tony Rayns Mishima's original novella and Mishima's extensive notes on the film's productionSystem Requirements:Running Time: 27 minutes Language: Japanese Subtitles: EnglishFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/COMING OF AGE Rating: NR UPC: 715515029827 Manufacturer No: CC1753DDVD
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Strange, Compelling, Like All of Mishima's Life & Work
This short, cheap film illustrates Yukio's Mishima's devotion to his ideals of patriotism and love & how loyalty is an integral part of both. The one thing that strikes me about Mishima is his boldness. He is completely unshy in his presentation of himself and ideas. This can be a bit unsettling to a Westerner who is used to the common artistic practice of subtlty and metaphor. Mishima just goes for it. It's all there and there's not much to "figure out". I suppose onecould say Mishima is ... Read More
Rating:  - Defining Love and Honor
"Patriotism"
Defining Love and Honor
Amos Lassen
"Patriotism", written, directed and starring Japanese great Yukio Mishima has finally been released in a beautiful edition by Criterion. "Patriotism" (Yukoku) was originally made in 1996 and foreshadowed Mishima's suicide with great artistic vision and a good amount of gore. The movie is the embodiment of Mishima's concerns and skepticism about the growing westernization of Japan. A navel officer and his wife ... Read More
Rating:  - A startling foreshadowing
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film
Patriotism, released as Yukoku in Japan, is film written and directed by Japanese writer Yukio Mishima.
The film depicts the seppuku, or ritual suicide, of an army officer that foreshadows the real life seppuku of Mishima a decade later.
All prints of the film were destroyed at the request of Mishima's widow, but the original camera negative was saved. This release is quite impressive as it ... Read More
Rating: - Wholehearted sincerity
Written, directed, and starring novelist/playwright Yukio Mishima, this short film has a real expressive power. It embodies his concerns and skepticism about Japan's growing westernization. Plus it foreshadows things to come.
A naval officer, along with his wife, commits the Japanese suicide ritual of seppuku in a final act of patriotism.
Filmed in black and white, it harnesses a supremely captivating elegance. It is shot on a minimalist set, and the contrast presented is truly beautiful. ... Read More
Rating: - Yukio Mishima's foray into the film world is as challenging as you would expect from him....
Yukio Mishima, one of Japan's greatest writers and artists, made only one film, Patriotism, and our good friends at Criterion have released it in this very reasonably priced edition. The film is only 27 minutes long, and has no dialogue (though it has "written" narration). It's really a striking piece of work, and quite startling at times. It is also very gory and bloody, and can even make today's gorehounds grimace. I think the violence and blood in this film are much more effective is because they actually ... Read More
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