Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

"On November 25, 1970, Japan's most celebrated writer, Yukio Mishima, shocked the world."

1985 2h 1m JA

🙌

7.8

BANGER

★7.8TMDB · 375

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A fictional account of the life of Japanese author Yukio Mishima, combining dramatizations of three of his novels and a depiction of the events of November 25th, 1970.

“On November 25, 1970, Japan's most celebrated writer, Yukio Mishima, shocked the world.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

Cast

Ken Ogata
Yukio Mishima
Kenji Sawada
Osamu
Bandō Mitsugorō X
Mizoguchi
Toshiyuki Nagashima
Isao
Masayuki Shionoya
Morita
Hiroshi Mikami
Cadet #1
Junya Fukuda
Cadet #2
Yuu Tokui
Cadet #3

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Paul Schrader
Writers: Paul Schrader, Leonard Schrader, Chieko Schrader
Languages: English, Japanese
Countries: Japan, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 10% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

41 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Japanese.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Japan, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Paul Schrader, shot by John Bailey. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Philip Glass. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Michael Chandler shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Ken Ogata and Kenji Sawada and Bandō Mitsugorō X carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Paul Schrader directs. John Bailey behind the camera. Philip Glass scores. Michael Chandler cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Japan, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 10% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
241 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Japanese.
4International production across 2 countries: Japan, United States of America.
5Directed by Paul Schrader, shot by John Bailey. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Philip Glass. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Michael Chandler shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Ken Ogata and Kenji Sawada and Bandō Mitsugorō X carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "On November 25, 1970, Japan's most celebrated writer, Yukio Mishima, shocked the world.".
10IMDB entry: tt0089603 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Classified under 10 themes, including "suicide", "identity", "patriotism", "nationalism".