Rating: 
Summary: 3 stars with the narrator taken into account.
Review: Why, oh why did they change the narration? What was the thinking behind this? The words have no resonance and no feeling. They are being read from a card that the narrator is reading. In the VHS version, the old version, we are inside Mishima's head as Scheider becomes the voice of the man, the voice of his soul. What has happened? Contractual disputes? What? Did Mishima's widow not like Scheider? What? Someone please help!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Literature meets cinema
Review: With its multiple timeframes, minimalist aesthetic, and intercut dramatized extracts from Mishima's novels, on paper this film sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. But in the hands of Paul Schrader, this ambitious fusion of literature and cinema is nothing less than a joy. Few films cover so much ground, philosophically or biographically, let alone with such economy and flair. Paul and Leonard Schrader's screenplay is perfect, Ken Ogata is masterful as Mishima, and Philip Glass's now-classic score lends everything a powerfully tragic tone. Ironically, in the end this most complex of projects plays like a very simple story, and succeeds in not only in making us feel for Mishima but also has us understanding the personal and ideological forces which drove him. In a bio-pic, you can't ask for more than that. (NOTE: Roy Scheider's narration has been replaced in the DVD edition, so fans of the VHS be warned.)
Rating:
Summary: Literature meets cinema
Review: With its multiple timeframes, minimalist aesthetic, and intercut dramatized extracts from Mishima's novels, on paper this film sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. But in the hands of Paul Schrader, this ambitious fusion of literature and cinema is nothing less than a joy. Few films cover so much ground, philosophically or biographically, let alone with such economy and flair. Paul and Leonard Schrader's screenplay is perfect, Ken Ogata is masterful as Mishima, and Philip Glass's now-classic score lends everything a powerfully tragic tone. Ironically, in the end this most complex of projects plays like a very simple story, and succeeds in not only in making us feel for Mishima but also has us understanding the personal and ideological forces which drove him. In a bio-pic, you can't ask for more than that. (NOTE: Roy Scheider's narration has been replaced in the DVD edition, so fans of the VHS be warned.)
Rating:
Summary: "Mishima" finds it's way ..... to DVD
Review: With the Release of Paul Schrader's 1985 Classic in my hands, I run home to find that this gem has still the power and the intrigue that I have enjoyed so many times, but amplified beautifully in this DVD edition! With Extras that include a Behind The Scenes Short and Feature Commentary by Schrader himself, I settle in to experience this breathtaking excursion along side an haunting and engaging score by Philip Glass. Only one draw back I hear , as the film starts it's voyage is, with this release as with the re-release on Laser Disc sadly Roy Schnieder's smoky, moody dramatic narration was replaced once again with a rather non-chalant affected narrative voice (even though his voice is credited and the end of the film) it's a odd mystery that puzzles me.. However this film will still forever revel my joy in the esthetics of japanese design, beauty and the complex figure known as ..... Yukio Mishima.(If a first viewing of this film is to behold, try and find a Original Video version, as you'll enjoy having the striking voice of Mr. Schnieder's along for your first journey, one I know will you'll find to be taken again and again.)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful inspiration for any artist
Review: Words cannot describe the technical beauty and artistic vision that haunts this movie. Presenting his life in four titled chapters, while the action is accompanied by the mesmeric music of Philip Glass, this movie conveys no so much a vision of his life as much as it gives the viewer a taste of his existence. Recommended for any one interested in Japanese art, warrior tradition and the dark depths of the human psyche.
Rating: 
Summary: brief comments about the merits of the DVD release
Review: Yes, the narration has changed and is about as lively as Leonard Cohen on valium, and if anyone knows why they got rid of the original I'd be glad to hear it. However, I think there are a couple of good reasons to get this DVD. First, it is a widescreen transfer. Second, there is the commentary by Paul Schrader (and director's commentaries are always a welcome feature). Lastly, there is the Japanese language narration for which I believe the DVD is the first available format. If you don't like the English language narration, maybe you could watch it in Japanese with the subtitles? Just a suggestion--although the Japanese narrator (is it Ogata Ken?) is similarly detached, which I suppose was a stylistic decision.
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