Harakiri15

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi | Japan | 1964 | 2h 14m | Japanese w/ English subtitles | Starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Ishihama, Shima Iwashita, Tetsurô Tanba, Masao Mishima

After the fall of his clan, masterless samurai Hanshirō arrives at the estate of Lord Iyi, asking permission to end his life through ritual suicide. The clan’s senior counsellor doubts the ronin’s sincerity, suspecting he’s simply looking for charity. But Hanshirō is not what he seems, and his quiet determination hides a deeper purpose. Masaki Kobayashi’s gripping period drama, winner of the Cannes Special Jury Prize, is a bold critique of hypocrisy, a stirring portrait of individual will, and is now hailed as one of the greatest achievements in Japanese cinema.

Classic Season: Samurai Summer

Reviews

‘It would be wrong for me to reveal the details of the story Tsugumo tells. What I can say is that it is heartbreaking.’
★★★★★
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Harakiri between July 28, 2025 and July 30, 2025.

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What else is on?

Today (Tuesday 26th May)
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17:45

Wild Foxes 15
£6 for Members + short film
1h 34m | French w/ English subtitles
At an elite sports academy, young boxer Camille survives a near-fatal accident thanks to teammate Matteo, but mysterious pain threatens his recovery and future. Valéry Carnoy’s Cannes-winning coming-of-age debut explores masculinity and vulnerability within the competitive world of boxing.

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20:00

Us 15
1h 56m
A family’s holiday turns terrifying when mysterious doppelgängers appear at their home. As chaos spreads nationwide, hidden truths emerge about identity, privilege, and repression in Jordan Peele's sharp psychological horror. Screening plus an introduction by Dr Christy Wensley.

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Tomorrow (Wednesday 27th May)
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15:30

The Magic Faraway Tree U
1h 50m
The Thompson children discover a magical tree leading to fantastical lands. Facing quirky inhabitants and wondrous adventures, they reconnect and grow closer. Enid Blyton’s beloved classic comes to life in this enchanting adaptation starring Andrew Garfield, Nicola Coughlan, and Claire Foy.

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18:00

The Barnabáš Kos Case 12A
1h 32m | Slovak w/ English subtitles
Director's Cuts: Peter Strickland
A timid triangle player is unexpectedly promoted to Musical Director, but soon becomes corrupted by power. Peter Solan’s darkly comic satire exposes absurd hierarchies, sharply skewering state bureaucracy and the fragile egos behind positions of authority.

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20:15

Rose of Nevada 15
1h 54m
When a long-lost fishing boat returns to a Cornish village, hope rises for renewal. Nick and newcomer Liam join a voyage, but return transformed and caught in a haunting time loop. Shot on grainy 16mm, Mark Jenkin (Bait) delivers a haunting, mind-bending folktale.

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Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!

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