Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters 1985
"On November 25, 1970, Japan's most celebrated writer, Yukio Mishima, shocked the world."
Paul Schrader's *Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters* (1985) weaves together the turbulent life and death of Japan's most controversial literary figure, Yukio Mishima, in a haunting drama that blends biography with fiction.
Director: Paul Schrader
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
Junkichi Orimoto
General Mashita
Naoko Ohtani
Mother
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) about?
This film explores the life and death of Yukio Mishima, Japan's most celebrated yet controversial writer, through a mix of biographical drama and fictionalized scenes from his novels. It culminates in the dramatic events of November 25, 1970, when Mishima's shocking final act sent shockwaves through Japan.
Who directed Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters?
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters was directed by Paul Schrader, known for his work on films like *Taxi Driver* and *American Gigolo*.
Who stars in Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters?
The film features Ken Ogata in the lead role as Yukio Mishima, alongside Kenji Sawada, Bandō Mitsugorō X, Toshiyuki Nagashima, and Masayuki Shionoya.
Is Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) worth watching?
For fans of psychological dramas and biographical films, *Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters* is a masterpiece of atmosphere and performance. Schrader's direction and Ogata's intense portrayal make it a compelling, if harrowing, watch, especially for those interested in Mishima's complex legacy.
How long is Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters?
The runtime of *Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters* is 121 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) — Paul Schrader's haunting portrait of Yukio Mishima
Paul Schrader's *Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters* (1985) weaves together the turbulent life and death of Japan's most controversial literary figure, Yukio Mishima, in a haunting drama that blends biography with fiction. The film unfolds across four distinct chapters, interweaving dramatized sequences from Mishima's novels with a gripping account of the final, fateful hours of November 25, 1970. Ken Ogata delivers a powerhouse performance as Mishima, capturing the writer's inner torment, artistic brilliance, and the disturbing allure of his militaristic ideals. Schrader crafts a visually striking meditation on beauty, obsession, and self-destruction, where the line between art and reality blurs into something unsettling.
The film's atmosphere is steeped in contrasts—elegant yet visceral, cerebral yet visceral—mirroring Mishima's own duality as a man torn between literary genius and political extremism. With its striking cinematography and layered narrative, *Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters* isn't just a biopic; it's a psychological and cinematic fever dream that lingers long after the credits roll.
