Product Details

• Actors: Shintarô Katsu, Kayo Mikimoto, Kyosuke Mashida, Takashi Shimura, Akifumi Inoue
• Directors: Kimiyoshi Yasuda
• Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Homevision
• DVD Release Date: August 24, 2004
• Run Time: 82 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002DB554
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,187 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 18 - Zatoichi and the Fugitives" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Zatoichi falls in with a group of bandits in a small village. From their hiding place, the criminals control the town’s activities through a corrupt police official, who runs the town’s sweatshop where young women are forced to work in brutal slavery. Zatoichi steps in to deal with the gang in this thrilling nonstop action film, which features dazzling swordplay, superb performances, and a thrilling climax.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent filming for 1968. More drama than action., May 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Zatoichi Blind Swordsman:the Samarita [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is just one of many in this series. If you like Japanese culture in the samurai era then you might find this entertaining. The main character Zatoichi is a blind wandering masseur. He has connections with gangsters who usually seek him for his ability with his cane sword others fear him for the same reason. Zatoichi is a very lovable character. you will find yourself wanting to see his many other adventures. I would recommend this video for anyone adding to their foreign film collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars #18: DARKER AND MORE REALISTIC VILLIANS, September 1, 2006

By 

Ernest Jagger (Culver City, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 18 - Zatoichi and the Fugitives (DVD)

One of the major differences in this Zatocihi episode from previous ones is that the "bad-guys" seem to be more realistic in this film. In many of the past Ichi films the villians seemed liked bumbling idiots. In this one, director Kimiyoshi Yasuda, who directed several of the Zatocihi episodes, gives the villians a more realistic feeling. Also, the film is quite brutal. And although there is the standard Zatoichi fare that follows almost all of the episodes, this one stands out with just a little bit more in violence.[Such as chopped off limbs]

One of the greatest actors in Japanese cinema is also in the film: [Takashi Shimura] of "Ikiru" fame stars as Dr.Junan. It is always a treat to see him in any film. And especially in the Zatoichi series. The cinemantography is not as good as many of the earlier episodes, or the later ones for that matter. Little of the Japanese countryside is shown in the film. Also, there is less humor from Ichi that had become his established trademark in earlier episodes. And as for Ichi's cane-sword, well fans of his will not be disappointed in his usual high body count at the end of the film. I found the film highly enjoyable [not great] but enjoyable, and would recommend it to all.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Side, October 4, 2007

By 

Walter J. Hofman "Chisai Samurai" (Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 18 - Zatoichi and the Fugitives (DVD)

As a lifelong Ichi-San fan (I saw the original TV series in Japan!) I am a little more objective than most about this episode. Chambara and Jidei Geki fans have been spoon fed the colorful myths and fairy tales about Tokugawa era Japan and Japanese life under Bushido. Life was terribly harsh on the rural, working Japanese. The Zatoichi films and maybe "Ugetsu" are the only films to show how life really was for the "little people". There was no glory, just harsh and deadly reality. If this film is dark and upsetting, it is because it is true to the way life was at that time. I highly recommend it to those who want to see how the Japanese villager had to live. If you want pretty costumes, Court Life and the mythical spiritualism of Bushido, skip this one. It will upset you.