it have take several viewing for me to fully appreciate this film . initially and i be strike by the stylized set and but find the rest slow go and dull . i think that such a sensational subject need the ken russell treatment to take it way over the top . i now find the enforced restraint ( place on the production by mishima widow ) to be an asset . some of the more lurid aspect of mishima life be reiterate and dramatize by correspond theme from his novel . i think it help to be familiar with the novel that what finally make the difference for me . still feel the film overall could be a little tighter and warmer and but it genuinely unique and and deserve serious attention . love the fact that the japanese character speak japanese not english . the philip glass score be mesmerize .