Jackson Booth-Millard This film, executive produced by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, and written and directed by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, American Gigolo), is one I never would have heard of, if not listed in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, I hoped it would be good. Basically it is a fictionalised biopic, in four chapters of, about the life and work of celebrated Japanese writer Yukio Mishima (Ken Ogata). Set on 25th November 1970, the last day of his life, he is seen finishing a manuscript, then he puts on a uniform to meet with his most loyal followers from his private army. In flashbacks, we see Mishima's progression, from sickly young boy to one of Japan's most acclaimed writers of the post-war era. He is loathsome of materialism of modern Japan, and sets up his own private army, proclaiming to reinstate the emperor as the head of state. The biographical sections are interwoven with short dramatizations of three of his novels: The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kyoko's House, and Runaway Horses. The film culminates in Mishima and his followers taking hostage a General of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, he makes an address to the garrison's soldiers, asking them to join his struggle to reinstate the Emperor as the nation's sovereign, his speech is largely ignored and ridiculed. It ends with Mishima returning to the General's office and committing seppuku, a Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Also starring Naoko Ôtani as Mother, Haruko Katô as Grandmother, Yuki Nagahara as Mishima, age 5, Masato Aizawa as Mishima, age 9-14, Gô Rijû as Mishima, age 18-19 and Junkichi Orimoto as General Mashita, and narrated by Roy Scheider. It is an interesting story, there are some memorable moments, both fictional and non-fictional, the use of scenery and colour is terrific, and the score composed by Philip Glass is great, including music I recognised that was used in the ending of The Truman Show, not a bad biographical drama. Worth watching!

Frances Farmer Creating a successful biopic about a writer may be the most challenging task a film maker can undertake. For most viewers, movies are about action and most writers have limited action of the conventional sort going on in their lives.In "Mishima", though, the challenge of creating a movie that blends literary subtlety with real action is met head on. The relationship between writing and action -- between art and life -- was Mishima's central preoccupation, and this preoccupation provides the structure for the film itself. And a wondrous structure it is....In "Mishima" we see scenes from the author's final hours before his suicide adroitly interwoven with dramatizations from some of his key fictional works. Given the bizarre death that Mishima staged for himself, some viewers may find it hard to tell "fiction" apart from "reality." Integral to the success of this enterprise is the production design provided by the justly celebrated Eiko Ishioka. The stark economy and determined artificiality of Eiko's set designs adds enormously to one's experience of this movie. Phillip Glass's music is also a major contributor.When you put together the intricate mix of art and life, the amazing set designs, the excellent acting and the music by Glass you have a film of very rare quality. This movie is, in fact, as unique as its subject... and it seems a miracle that it was even made at all.My one criticism of the film is the choice of narrator. In the original version of the movie that I watched, the narration was done by Roy Scheider, and I find his manner of reading the narration text to be quite awful. It's hard to say why, exactly, I feel this way, but Scheider's voice here is like nails on a blackboard to me. Apparently later versions/releases of the film use a different narrator and if you can get one of those other versions I would highly recommend doing that.All in all, this is a movie to savor as carefully as Mishima's novels and plays. Highly recommended!

MrMuffinMan I think that no film made can grade an IMDb 10 out of 10 - there is no such thing as perfection in art, the imperfection and striving for perfection is what makes art "art" and not just the words or pictures or sounds, but this movie comes very close. A challenging, totally immersive film experience. Beautifully constructed filmed and scored, it seems to reflect the essence of what was Mishima, seemingly conflicted, driven ideals were a launchpad for a celebrated and often controversial life. His art, political and personal beliefs are separate but all interconnected and essential aspects of the man, and the film manages to reflect this, combining all these elements within a beautifully presented and concise package. The Philip Glass music is very much love or hate, but if you happen to like Glass's style, this film can become the most incredible movie experience, as it provides the emotional drive for the arid narrative, the three intense highly colored selections from his short fictional stories and the final biographical scene. Still so underrated, but even after 25 years, it is one of the finest realisations of the art of cinema.

Damian Bridgeman I saw this originally on Channel 4 (UK) and it was a fantastic film that left a great impression on me. However I saw it on Irish TV recently and there was an added narration by Roy Scheider ("we're going to need a bigger boat!"). This ruined the film for me. His droning monologue adds absolutely nothing to the film, and if anything takes from the films brilliance. I wonder at the new DVD version that has no Roy (due to legal reasons?) would stop people from buying it. Well believe me, the film is much better for it!CheersDamian