Customer Reviews

Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 1 - The Tale of Zatoichi

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Criterion in association with Janus Films has exquisitely remastered the first two of 26 sequels in the life and adventures of Japan's most popular and enduring cinematic hero, Zatoichi, the blind swordsman. A common man with an extraordinary skill and an even greater moral imperative.

"THE TALE OF ZATOICHI" introduces the legendary character and its star, Shintaro Katsu. This film from 1962 also introduced a new era of samurai film. Zatoichi, a lowly blind masseur who practices in a small province gets caught in a turf war between rival yakuza gangs. Yakuza honcho Sukejuro, aware of Zatoichi's reputation with his deadly cane sword, tries to hire him -- unsuccessfully -- as a mercenary. Unfortunately, Shigezo, the other gang leader, has already hired a fierce warrior with an equally intimidating skill to challenge Zatoichi. Thus, the legend begins. The finely honed story is greatly enhanced by the stunningly choreographed action. The black and white widescreen picture looks great and the English subtitles are easy to read. Bonus material includes a gallery of original theatrical stills.

I enjoy watching all of these films, especially this one. I appreciate the lack of blood and gore, and the mere two swordswipes the hero uses to take out about four bad guys at once. I'm sure many of us long for a protector like this to vanquish evil in the world. Great acting and directing, with nice humourous elements woven into the tale. I also like that the words are not dubbed over with English. I think subtitles are the best way to go with these films to maintain the intentions and artistry of the filmmakers.

In today's age, there are so many martial arts movies that glorify the killing, and little of the rest of the package that makes up a martial artist. In my opinion, this film surpassed all my expectations. The emotional depth of this film went far beyond the uninvolving MA films of later generations. I truly enjoyed the sub plots of the movie - especially the friendship that developed between Zatoichi and the man that was supposed to be his enemy, Master Hirata.

I recommend this highly to any person who wants to expand their martial arts library.

The reason I had to get this movie, and will likely collect more of the sequels, is Shintaro Katsu. I saw some of his latter work and wanted to see his earlier movies. So I got the first Zatoichi flick. And I am happy I did.
There is a story here. The basic plot of two rivel yakuza gangs fighting over the same turf. Common enough story. But that's just it - the movie stays on the story. Little or no sword fighting happens till the end of the film. Most of the scenes, most of the energy, focus on the characters and their interaction. The details that made a fair movie great overflow from the screen. Zatoichi is not a Hero or a Samurai, just a blind masseur trying to make a buck and stay out of trouble.
I would suggest it to any fan of Samurai films or even a beginner who wants to see an uncommon Samurai flick.
96 minutes and in the original widescreen.

The Zatoichi saga, covering the years 1962-1989, are truly remarkable in the history of cinema. There are no bad episodes. Some are average, above averge, good, very good, and great. But each episode is a wonderful excursion into the character played by the late Shintaro Katsu. I liked them as a young boy, viewing them with my best friend in theatres in Los Angeles, and I like them now. If not more. This is truly one of the greatest series not only in Japanese cinema, but cinema anywhere.

This first film of Zatoichi, starring the late Shintaro Katsu must not be judged by the standards of today's technological advancements. If anything, the stories are much better than the glutted CGI enhanced movies that claim to be films. THESE ARE FILMS. Truly outstanding films. If you are new to the series, give them a chance. I am sure you will find some that will appeal to you.

This first episode of Zatoichi is more drama-based than the ensuing films we be. But it is the nature of the character Ichi, in this episode, that will set the tone for the other episodes: Honor, integrity, believer in the Bushido code, and defender of the oppressed. And as the beginning episode shows, there is a humorous and humble manner in which Ichi carries himself. Never the braggart, always willing to assist--and lethal with his cane-sword.

In this episode, when Ichi is hired by a gang leader to fight a sick samurai: One in which Ichi has come to like. Ichi would rather drink and break food with this samurai; but events lead to another path. A path that would lead to confrontation. And the destiny of Zatoichi will take him on a long journey, frought with peril and villianous characters. I highly recommend this first episode of Zatoichi, and hope you will give the others a look. They truly are remarkable.

"Zatoichi, the Blind Swordsman" is as delicate a film as a feather to a sword. It follows the blind massuer of the title who has taken up the ways of the sword as he visits a gang leader on invitation and gets caught up in the imminent turmoil brewing with rival gang, Sasagawa. The film's plot is nothing new or original as far as the genre is concerned; it's one part "Yojimbo," one part "Sanjuro." However, the vivid focus on characterization leads this film into the realm of the unique. Unlike such films like "Yojimbo," where Toshiro Mifune served as the rough cutting tool to slice up carboard bad guys, Zatoichi brings the focus down to the characters, driving the story with quiet emotion and sub plot rather than rousing music and bloodshed. The film is already onto something interesting with it's quiet, almost enigmatic, blind hero, but then it pits him against an alcholic samurai who is looking for a good final duel to go out on. And what a duel it is, filling the width of the widescreen atop a ragged bridge in the middle of turf war. The only thing that would have made it more dramatic would have been rain, but with the emotions this film grants its characters and the relationships it builds between them, who needs rain? The film steadily progresses into a poetic, moralistic tale of lonliness, destiny, and responsibility for the choices we make in our lives. The story is simple, but it's point is as piercing as the blind massuer's sword. To that degree it's got Kurosawa beat.

The one that started it all. Zatoichi (1962) is introduced. The temendous series that followed endeared the blind swordsman to the Japanese hearts. He is a wandering former Yakuza who had become a champion of the common man through his sense of justice and his deadly cane sword. His hightened senses allowed him to prevail with sword and dice alike. Classic Japanese Chambara - one against many - good against evil. Highly enjoyable and a very refreshing moral theme.

The first Zatoichi film I ever saw was "Zatoichi vs. Yojimbo" and it left me feeling biased to the older, B/W films as well as stuck on "Seven Samurai". Like a number of other "samurai" pics, this isn't just slash and rip non-stop mayhem- there's a story going on here. I would compare this first in the series to the story in "Yojimbo" where two sides are being played against each other, and in Zatoichi's case there's another swordsman whose skill and respect is thrown into the equation. Shintaro Katsu exudes a quirky air of dangerous skill mixed with worldly determination, and plays blind convincingly. I bought this without having seen it already and I must say it was a pleasant surprise! There IS plenty of action, the pace doesn't necessarily lag on account of side-story, and Janus Films provides yet another beautifully restored widescreen print with clear and easy-to-read subtitles. This is a good buy for the price and I plan to get as many of the series as I can...

You don't even need to see any other Japanese films to immediately come to love the Zatoichi series. It really is a blessing to audiences, and to anyone looking for fresh and new material (well, some of it honestly is a retelling but, with Shintaro Katsu's unerring dedication and original acting stlye it makes you an instant fan). Sometimes you want to know, "is he really blind or, is he just acting?" The series of Zatoichi "Master Ichi the blind swordsman, and traveling masseur", is not only a must for any compulsive viewer but also a great series with plenty of thrills and acting followed by great story lines. In this the first installment (it's debateable by Ichi freaks), the tone is set not just for a follow up movie but for also a saving throw for the japanese cinema of it's day. As far as movies go and reacurring characters, this has got to be the (best) and longest series ever. And soon all (26?) of them are to be put into dvd format. (Ahh, what more could we ask for?) Here is where we are introduced to Shintaro (and a whole group of actors that with the trained eye you will see in other roles in the entire series) who nails the role with a very humorous and fresh approach. At first he almost plays the role of a wandering mystic who finds the unfortunate and downtrodden admist the vile gangsters of his day, but then you realize Zatoichi is himself a gangster but one who lives by different values and ethics. This draws you to Zatoichi's life and adventures he happens to come across or stumble into or that just fall into his lap. He is very human (with obvious limitations) which as a viewer can even make you feel for him and his role in a very contemporary story. The Ichi series is a great find for any fan of foriegn cinema. With anticipation we await the ongoing re-releasing of a truly unique anti-hero.

This first DVD (movie) is the Japanese version of the classic American western. Zatoichi is a blind samurai who is a reluctant member of the yakuza. As such, he is hired by a local yakuza leader to fight in an upcoming war against another boss. The movie is interesting and Zatoichi is an interesting character.

That said, there are a few problems. Some of the subplots don't work very well and seem to have been added to fill the movie. From the DVD, I was a bit disappointed with the subtitles. I won't say they are actually domesticated, but they aren't the best. So minor things end up being untranslated. Also, the translators decided that certain terms should just be given the character's name. For example, Zatoichi asks where a certain guy is and the Japanese lady says her "oniisan" (brother) has just stepped away. The translator decided that rather than say "My brother has just stepped away", to just use the brother's name. It may seem a minor point, but the female character is saying that the male character is her brother. That doesn't come across in the subtitles when the character's name is used. Also, the translator decided that when Zatoichi addressed the other samurai with the "-san" honorific, this meant "Master". Well, that's not what he said and not what he meant. Other characters addressed the same samurai with the "-san" honorific and that was ignored. This may be minor, but I like for the subtitles to be accurate yet readable.

Bottom line: a nice, classic Japanese movie. Well worth spending time watching.